I recently purchased a few single edge GEM razors and decided to give them a whirl last night. I began my shave with the renowned 1912 for the first pass. I just did not like the way it felt in my hand. This just did not feel comfortable, and it was very difficult to shave my upper lip and under my nose. I was bummed by my first experience in the SE world. For the second pass I switched over to my GEM G-bar. I found this razor to be much more comfortable and easier to control. The flat head really does what it is supposed to do; allow the razor to get in close to your skin. This razor made the experience more enjoyable than the 1912.
I had my first single edge shave last night.
- Thread starter jhh834
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Well, then there is always injectors. Try one.
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Yea, I think that will be my next course of action. I don't know much about injectors though. Are there models that are better than others?
Congratulations! Your shaving life will never be the same.
I have to say the ER 1912 is my favorite so far. Under the nose I do a slanted down stroke to get it smooth.
I have to say the ER 1912 is my favorite so far. Under the nose I do a slanted down stroke to get it smooth.
Putting aside ymmv I'd suggest searching out a Schick Hydro-Magic.
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Hydro-magic Injectors are very convenient due to their ease of cleaning.
All the models I've ever handled and used have been of equal quality. They may not look it, because of the plastic parts, but they are generally well-made and made to last.
The later ones are a little milder, the older ones are a little more aggressive, but they're all equally safe. I've never bled after using one.
All the models I've ever handled and used have been of equal quality. They may not look it, because of the plastic parts, but they are generally well-made and made to last.
The later ones are a little milder, the older ones are a little more aggressive, but they're all equally safe. I've never bled after using one.
Does anyone have any tips on how to approach shaving one's upper lip with a 1912 (mine is a GEM)?
I had a little trouble myself with this the one time I tried, but, I myself won't give up on it...especially not yet.
I've been keeping a beard for a little while, but of course, it will all get shaved at some point. I'd think to go 'left to right' and 'right to left' at least to start, which was my normal approach with catridge razors. Trimming it down into stubble first via other means might be a big help, but hard to get it 'really' clean...hesitate to spend for a DE and DE razors, etc., just for that, unless I do find I personally should give up on all thought of a a clean and uncut upper lip shave via SE.
I had a little trouble myself with this the one time I tried, but, I myself won't give up on it...especially not yet.
I've been keeping a beard for a little while, but of course, it will all get shaved at some point. I'd think to go 'left to right' and 'right to left' at least to start, which was my normal approach with catridge razors. Trimming it down into stubble first via other means might be a big help, but hard to get it 'really' clean...hesitate to spend for a DE and DE razors, etc., just for that, unless I do find I personally should give up on all thought of a a clean and uncut upper lip shave via SE.
What I do with my ER1912 is I do a modified slant down stroke under each nostril that meets right under the center of my nose. It's the best way I have found to get under my nose in a down stroke fashion. I usually do the same when I do my second pass, but in an up stroke.
I hope that helps and wasn't too confusing.
I suppose it depends on your nose and lip. I do down first, then across in both directions. Then to get the part right under the nostrils I have to go at an upward diagonal with the corner of the razor, and make little scritching motions with it. It's not as bad as it sounds, just takes a bit of fiddling.
Just buy a cheap injector off of eBay or put a WTB on the B&B Shaving Mall - Buy/Sell/Trade site so you're sure you're getting one that isn't bent, broken, etc. Go to the drug store and try to find some injector blades and you're good. Easiest razor in the world to use. I use them in the mornings when I'm running late and can shave quickly without any cuts. If I have more time, I use a lather-catcher or Damaskeene
Anyone have tips for the easiest way to manage to get some good Pella blades, without buying 100's or quite the expense prior to without trying them (one or a few of the options) first? Are their routine 'group buys' or 'big buys' where people buy and then distribute? I don't want to leech...I just know myself, and will force my way through 100-200 blades even if I don't like them...
Or is there anyone to keep an eye out for on B/S/T, etsy, etc, that makes offers like this from time to time, etc?
Or is there anyone to keep an eye out for on B/S/T, etsy, etc, that makes offers like this from time to time, etc?
There was a recent attempt at a group buy but there wasn't enough interest. You can get the exact same blade from http://www.connaughtshaving.com/injectorblades.html in smaller amounts at pretty good prices.
10 ct see link below, I just ordered 2 packages
http://shavetools.com/razor-blades/
http://shavetools.com/razor-blades/
There's also http://razorbladesandmore.com/catalog/single-edge-blades who carry the coated gem blades and the feather (spineless) single edge blades. Might as well go ahead and get some of those for the Valet Autostrop you'll be buying soon...
Ain't that the truth
Haha. You guys are all-in about your razor collections. =] I admire that - though, admittedly, right now I'm trying to keep my hobbies to a minimum, which I have so many as to have a hard time keeping up with all my projects and interests already. For now, kind of just want a good shave that I can be confident is the best I can get
Thanks for the links to the razor blades and more website. I've encountered that site before...doesn't seem like a great deal, but may not be awful...somewhere between 'buying fewer pella blades" and "buying fewer pella blades at a time but for negligably less cost than buying direct from pella"
Anyone try the 121-20 blades from Pella and swear by them over the others? These are the "Single Edge, Blue 3-Facet PAL[SIZE=-1][SUP]®[/SUP][/SIZE] Blades".
Likewise, anyone swear by the 121-12 blades from Pella? Those are the "Single Edge, No Notch Carbon Steel Blades."
I'm sure there are threads and I've read a few...
I guess maybe the best answer is a) Find a way to try them b) observe that they are not available via razor blades and more website and abandon. A is easier said than done....B is kind of a write-off...
It's interesting that sites offer DE samplers, but no SE samples. I realize their are less SE blade users...but...hmm.
As for Razorbladesandmore.com: I've noted that they only offer Pella PTFE coated stainless steel blades (121-3).
Is there anyone reading this that absolutely, far and away, prefers the Pella stainless blades that are uncoated, to the the Pella stainless steel PTFE coated version of the blade? I know there are a lot of opinions on these Pella blades being different/the same as the blades packaged and branded as treet/gem etc...but for isolation of the variables...a clear comparison Pella vs. Pella makes the most sense to me, both in personal use and comparison - and, secondarily, as from other's equally subjective opinions....
Seems like, in the end - there is no real way to save but a group buy, and that doesn't seems like it happens much in this regard...? Options seem like they are are: buy one kind of blade in 100-200 razors bulk amounts and save the money over a year or two, or but a few blades here and there and eat the higher costs, until I can confidently one type from Pella in high quanitity - or can connect with a group buy of some kind. I guess, over time, I could offer stashes of blades myself to other users if I had a good collection and bulk, from going 'all in' and buying all the variations from pella, even if I only did so over time...there is still no easy way to try the variations and pick a blade type confidently unless I order each type myself, it seems. Maybe this is one solid reason to plan on haulting and switching gears to DE-land, even if only temporarily?
Thanks for the links to the razor blades and more website. I've encountered that site before...doesn't seem like a great deal, but may not be awful...somewhere between 'buying fewer pella blades" and "buying fewer pella blades at a time but for negligably less cost than buying direct from pella"
Anyone try the 121-20 blades from Pella and swear by them over the others? These are the "Single Edge, Blue 3-Facet PAL[SIZE=-1][SUP]®[/SUP][/SIZE] Blades".
Likewise, anyone swear by the 121-12 blades from Pella? Those are the "Single Edge, No Notch Carbon Steel Blades."
I'm sure there are threads and I've read a few...
I guess maybe the best answer is a) Find a way to try them b) observe that they are not available via razor blades and more website and abandon. A is easier said than done....B is kind of a write-off...
It's interesting that sites offer DE samplers, but no SE samples. I realize their are less SE blade users...but...hmm.
As for Razorbladesandmore.com: I've noted that they only offer Pella PTFE coated stainless steel blades (121-3).
Is there anyone reading this that absolutely, far and away, prefers the Pella stainless blades that are uncoated, to the the Pella stainless steel PTFE coated version of the blade? I know there are a lot of opinions on these Pella blades being different/the same as the blades packaged and branded as treet/gem etc...but for isolation of the variables...a clear comparison Pella vs. Pella makes the most sense to me, both in personal use and comparison - and, secondarily, as from other's equally subjective opinions....
Seems like, in the end - there is no real way to save but a group buy, and that doesn't seems like it happens much in this regard...? Options seem like they are are: buy one kind of blade in 100-200 razors bulk amounts and save the money over a year or two, or but a few blades here and there and eat the higher costs, until I can confidently one type from Pella in high quanitity - or can connect with a group buy of some kind. I guess, over time, I could offer stashes of blades myself to other users if I had a good collection and bulk, from going 'all in' and buying all the variations from pella, even if I only did so over time...there is still no easy way to try the variations and pick a blade type confidently unless I order each type myself, it seems. Maybe this is one solid reason to plan on haulting and switching gears to DE-land, even if only temporarily?
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Liquids---Personally,I woudn't let blades stop me from enjoying the close smooth shaves from an SE. If I were you,I would just go to CVS AND Walgreens and buy 2 packs of blades.
The ones from walgreens are PTTE coated stainless steel blades and the ones from CVS are carbon blades. Decide which one you like and order those in bulk online. This is what 95%
of us have done----PS----Welcome to the forum
The ones from walgreens are PTTE coated stainless steel blades and the ones from CVS are carbon blades. Decide which one you like and order those in bulk online. This is what 95%
of us have done----PS----Welcome to the forum
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