My Gem Damaskeene is finally in hand.

[Gary H]

I received this Friday night and cannot wait to give it a try. The head is nearly perfect, the handle was horrendous but a little wad of never dull fixed it right up is this the right handle for this razor? I think a blade case is missing from the set also if so are the blade holders impossible to find?

 

[TripleG]

You've inspired me to dust off my Damaskeene for the week, it's such a fine razor. You found a very pristine example of an earlier one.

That looks to be the correct handle and blade banks should be easily found on the bay. I may just have one somewhere, I will check.

 

[Gary H]

Thanks TripleG, I am going to give this one a test run tomorrow night wish me luck.

 

[superkreep]

Nicely done sir, congrats.

 

[InfernoOrangeSS]

Very nice! I'm glad it worked out for you! My set is missing the blade bank as well, unfortunately. I need to locate one just so it's complete.
You should love the shave! Congrats!

 

[HUF]

The condition of the razor and the box clearly indicate very little use. Congratulations.

 

[Mick]

You should enjoy using that one. Just remember. Keep the razor cap close to your face. You can start by putting it directly on your face then moving it off a slight amount. Slice don't scrape :001Osmile

 

[TripleG]

I found my Damaskeene blade holder but it's pretty scuffed and a little corroded. You might be better off finding another Damaskeene set - and then you'd have another Damaskeene!

I used mine this morning it really makes me wonder why I use anything else, Streamline included (Cobra excluded ).

Gary, please share your thoughts after your shave.

 

[Gary H]

Thanks for looking and yes I will post tonight after I shave. I will eventually run across a nice blade holder for this set.

 

[Gary H]

I had the first run with this razor and got pretty good results. This is the first SE that I have had good results due to the expert advice I received here and a good 1/8 oz of pre shave oil. I took my time approx 30 minutes to be exact 3 pass shave with very little irritation. I did have issues getting into the hard angles of my face and had to use a slant for touch ups. I am positive that my last attempts to shave with an SE razor were poor due to an improper blade angle, Triple G your advice was extremely valuable in my success tonight. Does anyone else here who uses an SE have to use a DE for post shave touch up's? Reason I ask is because it is physically impossible to get certain areas like under the nose. I feel pretty good about tonight's successful SE shave.

 

[Mick]

Does anyone else here who uses an SE have to use a DE for post shave touch up's? Reason I ask is because it is physically impossible to get certain areas like under the nose. I feel pretty good about tonight's successful SE shave.

I've had a mustache since I was 15 or so (got me tossed out of school a couple of times). I shaved it off once but the outcry was so loud that it grew back in shame the next day. I've never shaved under my nose so no hands on experience. I can say just from general knowledge that going back and forth and up might be your only options with a large head SE razor.

I can say that I've gotten perfect to near perfect shaves with every SE razor I have used.

 

[Gary H]

You Mr Turtle have some super SE shave skill getting so many great shaves maybe with time and a little patience I will get there myself. I am going to stick with this razor for the rest of the week then on to the Enders. The greatest thing about this hobby of ours is being able to sample so many different shavers.

 

[HUF]

My first shave with a Junior was pretty bloody. The second and the third were VERY close and weeper/burn free. My face felt hot for many hours though. What I am saying is that just like with any razor, the new blade requires more attention.

 

[Gary H]

I had that problem with a few other SE's I used. I think my problem was the bad angle and not using a pre shave. Right now I am using the cheapo Gem razor blades my only option at the moment. Tomorrow I am sending the two blades that came with this kit out for sharpening.

 

[jkingrph]

Nice, I have one in a fitted wooden case, that was rather rough on the outside when I got it, but reglueing the finger joints and refinishing it looks nice. The razor and blade case are like new, Mine has a different handle, solid, with ribs running the length of the handle and plated as to match the head. I have another that is a travel model, in a fitted chrome plated metal case. The handle is removed from the head for storage, and it has a blade case.

 

[InfernoOrangeSS]

Glad you had a good shave with it. For under the nose I usually just shave at a slanted angle, rather than straight down or up. I just shave at the angle of under my nose. It usually requires an extra pass when I'm doing touch ups, but it works for me. I'll keep an eye out for the both of us for the Damaskeene blade banks. If I find 2, I'll send one your way so we both have complete sets.
(I should add, that when I shave I do a N-S, a S-N, and then touch-ups. It's just what works best for me. WTG, XTG, & ATG is what a lot of people use, but it's not for me.)

 

[retturn2blades]

I judge too many guys press the 3-pass concept as mandatory. In truth, my father, who used Pal and Gem SE razors, only did one pass and looked fine.

I decided, after months of irritation, to toss multiple passes and do a good one-pass shave. Best thing I've done to eliminate burn and irritation, and enjoy my shaves.

Three passes are too harsh on the skin, imo, and all done to chase the mythic BBS shave.

 

[Redzone]

I judge too many guys press the 3-pass concept as mandatory. In truth, my father, who used Pal and Gem SE razors, only did one pass and looked fine.

I decided, after months of irritation, to toss multiple passes and do a good one-pass shave. Best thing I've done to eliminate burn and irritation, and enjoy my shaves.

Three passes are too harsh on the skin, imo, and all done to chase the mythic BBS shave.

I'm thinking more and more this way too Jeff, down to 2 pass now and sometimes check after one and think it's quite good actually. I could easily shave twice a day on a single pass with a touch up or two.
Sorry to hijack thread its a sweet razor and I thoroughly love shaving with my Gem junior and this model is no good for RAD !

 

[TripleG]

Shaving under the nose is a little tricky with a SE. Above my lip, I shave straight down, leaving a little bit right under the nose. Under the nose, I turn the razor so the handle is at angle (maybe 30 degrees) and then use short, slant strokes. Then I turn the razor so the blade is perpendicular to my mouth and do a few short and outward strokes.

This can sometimes leave me with a few whiskers RIGHT under my nose, I then turn the razor upside down and go against the grain, extremely lightly. It's a little dicey but you can feel each single whisker getting cut.

Or just keep a cartridge razor close by if you don't have time for all that .

 

[plpenn]

The lip takes practice, I have not used a DE in over a year. I have also cut down to two or even one pass with a good blade and get BBS to DFS every time, it just takes practice. I am a shower shaver and with my GEM Jr. I face lather and make two passes in less than 3 minutes. It's not that I am rushing, I just get the job done quickly and move on.