LRod's Acquisition and everything else Thread!

[LRod]

Hello all,
I posted quite a few days ago that I had ordered another Shield GEM razor when I found out that they now had them in Aluminum (which I still haven't received). Well, I got a notification last night that they also now have them in 316L stainless steel. That now means that they offer the whole lineup (DE, SE & GEM) in aluminum, stainless & titanium.
And of course, I've just ordered the GEM razor in stainless!
For those that don't know, they're made in a small machine shop in China and the quality is excellent for the price.
The stainless models are $57 which is ridiculous for a 316L stainless razor!
A super deal!
I should be receiving the aluminum one soon and guess that the stainless one will arrive in a few weeks.
I'll post about them as they arrive!

 

[huck1680]

Hello all,
I posted quite a few days ago that I had ordered another Shield GEM razor when I found out that they now had them in Aluminum (which I still haven't received). Well, I got a notification last night that they also now have them in 316L stainless steel. That now means that they offer the whole lineup (DE, SE & GEM) in aluminum, stainless & titanium.
And of course, I've just ordered the GEM razor in stainless!
For those that don't know, they're made in a small machine shop in China and the quality is excellent for the price.
The stainless models are $57 which is ridiculous for a 316L stainless razor!
A super deal!
I should be receiving the aluminum one soon and guess that the stainless one will arrive in a few weeks.
I'll post about them as they arrive!

May I ask where did you order the razor from?

 

[LRod]

May I ask where did you order the razor from?

Well,
I had to search because nobody had posted any links when I found out about the aluminum models. I knew it was through Aliexpress but when you go there, the Shield store shows no inventory and Aliexpress is so big that it's almost impossible to pinpoint something specific. Anyways, I think I ended up finding them by doing a search on Google.
If memory serves me right, I believe we can't post direct links here?
I'll send you a PM now Huck!
Anyone else interested, let me know!!

 

[LRod]

Second shave tonight with the Merkur Progress.
I used setting #5 on the first pass and #3 on the second pass.
#5 definitely brought in even more efficiency but was a tad (miniscule difference) less smooth than #3.
I was expecting that though!
I'm loving that #3 though and guess that it'll probably be the first pass setting that I'll stick to.
Tomorrow I'll use #4 to see how it works!
Overall an excellent shave.
This my friends is a wonderful razor that makes me wonder why I didn't get one sooner.
I guess the knob always put me off but looking at it now in person, It's actually pretty nice.
Lesson I learned: The aesthetic shouldn't be a factor in the purchase!
It's an absolute joy to use!

 

[Eric_75]

Second shave tonight with the Merkur Progress.
I used setting #5 on the first pass and #3 on the second pass.
#5 definitely brought in even more efficiency but was a tad (miniscule difference) less smooth than #3.
I was expecting that though!
I'm loving that #3 though and guess that it'll probably be the first pass setting that I'll stick to.
Tomorrow I'll use #4 to see how it works!
Overall an excellent shave.
This my friends is a wonderful razor that makes me wonder why I didn't get one sooner.
I guess the knob always put me off but looking at it now in person, It's actually pretty nice.
Lesson I learned: The aesthetic shouldn't be a factor in the purchase!
It's an absolute joy to use!

Very glad to hear this, Larry.

 

[huck1680]

Well,
I had to search because nobody had posted any links when I found out about the aluminum models. I knew it was through Aliexpress but when you go there, the Shield store shows no inventory and Aliexpress is so big that it's almost impossible to pinpoint something specific. Anyways, I think I ended up finding them by doing a search on Google.
If memory serves me right, I believe we can't post direct links here?
I'll send you a PM now Huck!
Anyone else interested, let me know!!

I took a look and the pricing is amazing considering there's another store we know who's charging quite a bit more. Looks like I might be getting back into another shaving system...different blades, manufacturers...sigh....snicker.

 

[LRod]

I took a look and the pricing is amazing considering there's another store we know who's charging quite a bit more. Looks like I might be getting back into another shaving system...different blades, manufacturers...sigh....snicker.

My first Shield (the titanium GEM) was purchased from that "other store" last year. That's the only place back then that I thought you could buy them from. But I did buy it during a sale they had so I still got it for a decent price.
Then Shield started selling them direct!
Anyways, have fun trying different ones out!
I'm doing the same!!

Coincidentally, I tracked the aluminum GEM last night and it arrived yesterday. It's sitting in my mailbox and didn't notice because I didn't get the mail yesterday. I'll retrieve it today and post about it tonight.

 

[LRod]

My Shield Aluminum GEM has arrived from China!
I'm very surprised and impressed!!
The titanium model that I bought originally from Bullgoose last year arrived nothing like this one.
That one came wrapped up in some bubble wrap and that's it!
This new one came in a nice plastic flip top box, all wrapped, included a blade bank and 10 Personna coated GEM blades, Wow!!
What a deal at $35.52!
And what most impressed me was the fit & finish. It's now even better than it was before. It's beautiful!
It feels super solid, robust & hefty for an aluminum razor.
I think I'm gonna end up buying the DE & AC models as well in either aluminum or stainless.
What Shield is making can't be beat for what you're getting.
I'll use it tonight and will report my results!

 

[LRod]

My Shield Aluminum GEM has arrived from China!
I'm very surprised and impressed!!
The titanium model that I bought originally from Bullgoose last year arrived nothing like this one.
That one came wrapped up in some bubble wrap and that's it!
This new one came in a nice plastic flip top box, all wrapped, included a blade bank and 10 Personna coated GEM blades, Wow!!
What a deal at $35.52!
And what most impressed me was the fit & finish. It's now even better than it was before. It's beautiful!
It feels super solid, robust & hefty for an aluminum razor.
I think I'm gonna end up buying the DE & AC models as well in either aluminum or stainless.
What Shield is making can't be beat for what you're getting.
I'll use it tonight and will report my results!

Just had an early shave with it since it's the weekend and we're going out to dinner!
Excellent! Equal performance to it's titanium sibling with a little less weight. I could also feel
a miniscule amount of drag due to the matte aluminum which is to be expected. But no big deal!
Very smooth and extremely efficient (Gap 1.15 & Blade exposure 0.12!)
It will be interesting to try out the stainless model when it arrives. It's much heavier than both the aluminum
and titanium models so it should yield a different feel. We'll See!!

Sidenote: I ordered the stainless DE as well which has a blade gap of 0.95 & blade exposure of 0.05!

Also, for those that may be interested:
Outback Steakhouse has Steak & Lobster going on now for $19.99
Heading out there now!!

 

[Eric_75]

Also, for those that may be interested:
Outback Steakhouse has Steak & Lobster going on now for $19.99
Heading out there now!!

Hope you an enjoyable meal. Waiting on your food review now, Larry.

 

[LRod]

Hope you an enjoyable meal. Waiting on your food review now, Larry.

Thanks Eric!
It was good. My wife doesn't eat lobster but ordered the same thing. She's good with just the steak!
So I got to eat both lobster tails

 

[Slapo]

Thanks Eric!
It was good. My wife doesn't eat lobster but ordered the same thing. She's good with just the steak!
So I got to eat both lobster tails

Come now, that was like a standard Amazon review of "Package arrived, item fit for purpose."

 

[LRod]

Got a second shave tonight with the Executive Outlaw. I had only used it once because my Merkur Progress had arrived on the same day and I used the Progress on the following day.
And then came the aluminum Shield GEM which I used yesterday!
Back to the Outlaw in order to compare it to the upcoming Reggie's brass Jupiter razor.
The Jupiter should be arriving either tomorrow or Tuesday. I wanted to retry the Outlaw in order to compare by recalling how it shaves with a recent shave.

Why?
The Jupiter's head looks a lot like the head on the Outlaw. But the safety bar looks like the safety bar on the old version of the outlaw. The new Outlaw's scallops reach both edges! The Jupiter's does not!
I really want to see how similar they are since a couple of differences might or might not make them different enough. I'm sure other differences exist though. The blade gap alone is 0.20 difference between the two (as noted below!) @Slapo has tried both and says that he found more chatter on the new Outlaw vs. the Jupiter. Funny thing is that I've noticed barely any chatter on the Outlaw. Of course all of this is YMMV, so we'll see!
-Outlaw's blade gap is 0.70
-Jupiter's blade gap is 0.50
Neither have any published blade exposure figures that I've been able to find!
All in all I got a phenomenal smooth & close shave today with the new Outlaw. Same results as the first shave.
It's Excellent! (for me)

 

[Slapo]

@LRod I shave ATG pretty much all the time and I recall you mentioning you usually don't.
I found blade flex is easiest to feel ATG, especially on my neck where hair grows quite close to the skin.
Might be why you aren't feeling that much of it.

 

[LRod]

The Reggie's Jupiter has arrived from the UK!
The box, the case, the razor,
it's super premium!
(that little gold card in the picture is a metal lifetime warranty card that's serialized on the backside)
The metal case is actually functional with it's removable slide cover.
Excellent little details by the artisan!
What an incredibly solid, heavy and beautiful work of art.
I assembled it and it's probably the smoothest threading I've ever handled on any razor.
The fit and finish is superb.
This thing shines!!
Hopefully it shaves as good as it looks.
Can't wait to give it a go tonight:

 

[LRod]

Well folks,
I don't know what just happened!
I had the first shave with the brass Jupiter and ended up with a near BBS shave by doing a 2 pass WTG/XTG.
Not only was it near BBS but I felt throughout the shave as if I had some sort of super gliding tool going across my face. And the end result feels as if I didn't shave with anything. I'm not exaggerating!
I've spent the last 10 minutes passing my hands across my face with a non stop smile.
The only razors that have "almost" been able to accomplish this is my Pils 101NE and the OneBlade Genesis.
The Timeless .68 OC would almost be third if it was more efficient. And my Blackland Sabre GEM I guess is probably
a match with the Timeless.

Summary:
I have to add a new word to my shaving vocabulary because of this razor: "Soft!"
It's not smooth, it's soft. I don't know how to exactly explain it. It simply just glides!
The blade feel is minimal (it's mild) along with that glide feel and it equates to absolutely zero irritation.
And it's efficient!
This is what I'd consider the perfect balance for the everyday razor.
Excellent 100mm. handle that stays in the hand, super heavy (the whole razor) but balanced and to top it off it's
absolutely stunning in it's polished brass finish.
I'd pay double for this thing!
I can count in one hand the razors that fall in that category!

Only one fault and that's just me being picky:
The post is really short. Reminds me of the post on the '22 Rocnel Elite stainless!
But it's no big deal since it's sufficient to get a good couple when screwing the handle.
This seemed like an issue on the Rocnel but it's not an issue on this one.
They made it "just long enough".

This razor will most definitely be a favorite and I can only predict even better shaves even though I don't
see how that's possible.
Reggie's is top shelf my friends. I can't imagine what their stainless & titanium models must be like!
Maybe in the future I may find out
They're expensive and I've juggled a few new razors in the last few weeks, so now it's time for another break to enjoy what I have and what's coming in the next couple of weeks.

Side note:
@Slapo
Yes it's definitely evident that the blade flex is more on the Outlaw vs. the Jupiter. Just running my finger perpendicular on the blade tells the story. But at least for me (non ATG), I don't see any negatives with the Outlaw because of the minimal flex.
And despite the similar looking heads between the two, they shave totally different. Both good, just different!

Have a great night everyone!

 

[JAHE]

Well folks,
I don't know what just happened!
I had the first shave with the brass Jupiter and ended up with a near BBS shave by doing a 2 pass WTG/XTG.
Not only was it near BBS but I felt throughout the shave as if I had some sort of super gliding tool going across my face. And the end result feels as if I didn't shave with anything. I'm not exaggerating!
I've spent the last 10 minutes passing my hands across my face with a non stop smile.
The only razors that have "almost" been able to accomplish this is my Pils 101NE and the OneBlade Genesis.
The Timeless .68 OC would almost be third if it was more efficient. And my Blackland Sabre GEM I guess is probably
a match with the Timeless.

Summary:
I have to add a new word to my shaving vocabulary because of this razor: "Soft!"
It's not smooth, it's soft. I don't know how to exactly explain it. It simply just glides!
The blade feel is minimal (it's mild) along with that glide feel and it equates to absolutely zero irritation.
And it's efficient!
This is what I'd consider the perfect balance for the everyday razor.
Excellent 100mm. handle that stays in the hand, super heavy (the whole razor) but balanced and to top it off it's
absolutely stunning in it's polished brass finish.
I'd pay double for this thing!
I can count in one hand the razors that fall in that category!

Only one fault and that's just me being picky:
The post is really short. Reminds me of the post on the '22 Rocnel Elite stainless!
But it's no big deal since it's sufficient to get a good couple when screwing the handle.
This seemed like an issue on the Rocnel but it's not an issue on this one.
They made it "just long enough".

This razor will most definitely be a favorite and I can only predict even better shaves even though I don't
see how that's possible.
Reggie's is top shelf my friends. I can't imagine what their stainless & titanium models must be like!
Maybe in the future I may find out
They're expensive and I've juggled a few new razors in the last few weeks, so now it's time for another break to enjoy what I have and what's coming in the next couple of weeks.

Side note:
@Slapo
Yes it's definitely evident that the blade flex is more on the Outlaw vs. the Jupiter. Just running my finger perpendicular on the blade tells the story. But at least for me (non ATG), I don't see any negatives with the Outlaw because of the minimal flex.
And despite the similar looking heads between the two, they shave totally different. Both good, just different!

Have a great night everyone!

Awesome!

Congratatulations for adding this beauty.

Would you mind comparing this razor to the Rocnel Elite brass in terms of shaving characteristics?
Thx in advance.

 

[Guido75]

Larry, with a blade gap of .5 would you say there is also positive exposure? The Outlaw does if I remember reading correctly.

Thanks,

Guido

 

[LRod]

Would you mind comparing this razor to the Rocnel Elite brass in terms of shaving characteristics?

Well, for me it's no comparison. I sold my brass Elite to Kim @Phoenixkh last month.
Neither stainless nor brass Elite really worked for me. They're nice razors but never felt the eureka moment with either one. I felt both to be very angle specific and would get decent shaves sometimes. Kim and others really seem to love the Elite so it definitely works for many.

 

[LRod]

Larry, with a blade gap of .5 would you say there is also positive exposure? The Outlaw does if I remember reading correctly.

Thanks,

Guido

Man, it's hard to tell. Reggie's doesn't publish anything about blade exposure but from what I felt, it would be very very slight positive. Based on the efficiency I got, I'm guessing it is since neutral & negative razors typically aren't this efficient for me. But you barely feel any blade.
It's weird!
The Outlaw description says it's "neutral to slight posive, depending which blade is used"
But it definitely has more blade feel than the Reggie's Jupiter. And the old Outlaw had even more blade feel than the new Outlaw.
Hope this helps!