Shield GEM questions

[JWK1]

I've read through the threads on the shield razors. I'm thinking of ordering a Shield GEM. Although almost everyone is very pleased with the way the Shield GEM shaves, no one has reported a direct comparison to other GEM razors. I'm trying to get a handle (see what I did there?) on the aggression, blade forward, efficiency, call it what you will. You know what I mean.

I have shaved extensively with Micromatics: original open comb, 2nd gen open comb (nickle plated with "bumps"), Clog-Pruf (both types). I originally used a 1912 Junior for a couple of years before starting to buy the Micromatics. I found the 1912 to be just too mild for me. When ATT had their big clearance, I picked up a G1 and used that quite a bit. Ultimately I find it too mild to use often.

So for those of you who have been shaving with the Shield GEM, please give me your impressions on how it compares to other GEM razors you have used. Thanks!

 

[86-foxtrot]

I have the Stainless Steel Shield GEM and currently own a Clog-Pruf. Also used a Micromatic OC and 1912 Damaskeene. I may not be the best person to answer this question. I struggled to get a good shave with the 1912 and MMOC. The Clog Pruf is a good razor for 48+hour shaves.

The Shield GEM is a good everyday shaver. Efficient and smooth. I found it in the mid-range for efficiency.

 

[Wal59]

I have the Shield Gem. I also have a truck load of other Gems - Sabre, Lightweight, Seeing Eye, Damskeene, G-Bar, Push button and many others. Gem blades seem to suit my skin.

The Shield rates very low on my list unfortunately. Its machining is far inferior to the Sabre but, then again, the Shield price is more affordable. However it is the shave which I don‘t like. It irritates my skin no matter how much I vary angle, pressure, etc. I always get weepers on my neck too.

By chance I tried it only yesterday after a long break. Same problem. As, always, that may just be me. Don’t let me put you off. A Lot of blokes like them.

 

[gpjoe]

I use a Predator (Ti and stainless steel) for my head shaves and it is very efficient and forgiving compared to a Sabre I owned, and sold. The Sabre was literally a bloodbath.

To be fair, I used the Sabre with the same carefree technique that I had used with the Ti Predador, which, due to the agreeable nature of the Predator, turned out to be care-less with the Sabre, even with the milder Sabre base plate.

I don't blame the Sabre, but quickly found that, in my hands, the L1 Sabre was far more aggressive.

Having said that, my Predator head shaves are dreamy...BBS, with no drama or trauma.

 

[JWK1]

OK, it sounds like the Shield GEM razors are not for me. I would want something much more blade forward than a GEM 1912, for example. I have an ATT G1, and I remember Al saying that he designed it to shave like a 1912 and most people agreed that it did. It's a wonderful razor that I use once in a while, but sadly it just doesn't have enough blade for me like my ATT SE1, or my Timeless Bronze 78.

 

[LRod]

OK, it sounds like the Shield GEM razors are not for me. I would want something much more blade forward than a GEM 1912, for example. I have an ATT G1, and I remember Al saying that he designed it to shave like a 1912 and most people agreed that it did. It's a wonderful razor that I use once in a while, but sadly it just doesn't have enough blade for me like my ATT SE1, or my Timeless Bronze 78.

I like blade forward!
The Shield is probably the most blade forward of the Gems! And the one with the highest blade gap too. I have lots of the vintage models and have had the Sabre level 1 & 2. Sabre got sold because I find the Shield to be the best one. It's not only very efficient but also super smooth.
And for the money, it can't be beat!
I can't speak for the new Sabre with the different plates though (I haven't tried it) but I'm assuming that the new Sabre's higher plates are more blade forward & efficient than the old Sabre Level 1 & 2.
You can buy the Shield through the Shield store on AliExpress for cheap and if you don't like it, you can sell it for the same price or possibly more than what you paid.
So you really don't have much to lose!
Another option is to order the aluminum version to try it out. Very economical and it'll give you an idea of how the Shield GEM's shave.

But the way, it's hard to compare blade feel on a
DE vs. a GEM. At least for me it is, so it'd be hard for me to tell you how it compares to the bronze ATT which I've had before!
What I can tell you is that the Shields has enough blade feel for me in terms of a GEM razor.
Good luck!

 

[ewk]

My GEM experience is very limited; I only have a few shaves in on the razors I have acquired. So far the Clog-Pruf is my favorite vintage compared to the 1912 and Featherweight, which I found too inefficient for my taste. The original Saber 2 plate is a very good razor for me, with the Clog-Pruf having more efficiency. I find the Shield to be comparable to the Clog-Pruf, and very smooth.

If the post threading was improved and if the angle of the head matched the top of the handle, the Shield would be an elite razor. For the price, its performance is excellent.

 

[uptown]

Gap 1.15 exposure .15 same on most of their razors just the way I like it.

 

[JWK1]

My GEM experience is very limited; I only have a few shaves in on the razors I have acquired. So far the Clog-Pruf is my favorite vintage compared to the 1912 and Featherweight, which I found too inefficient for my taste. The original Saber 2 plate is a very good razor for me, with the Clog-Pruf having more efficiency. I find the Shield to be comparable to the Clog-Pruf, and very smooth.

If the post threading was improved and if the angle of the head matched the top of the handle, the Shield would be an elite razor. For the price, its performance is excellent.

That is very interesting. Out of all my vintage GEM razors, I find anything other than the Micromatic OC and Clog-Pruf to be too mild. I don't have all of them, but I have most of them. If the Shield equaled the CP in efficiency, I would be happy.

However, I would like to hear more about what you find inferior about the post threading, and how the head doesn't match the top of the handle. Seriously? You mean there is a gap when the handle is screwed in?

 

[uptown]

Post #7 refers to the flat screw at a slight angle making it sometimes awkward to screw on the handle. I have no trouble putting the razor together and the clamping is tight. The reason for the flat screw so it goes through the Gem blade. It is similar to the Vector. The original Gem razor used a spring loaded top plate and stops on either side of the razor to secure the blade. It was a good system but I think the 3 piece Gems with the flat screw are better.

 

[ewk]

Two different issues with the post. First, the threading must align perfectly with the handle threads. Takes me about 3 Trieste align them, and it threads easily.

Second, the angle of the post means that the top of the handle does not rest flush against the baseplate.

I use a nylon washer and it holds everything snugly. Perhaps the recess that accepts the handle could be angled to make the handle sit flush?

Nevertheless, it shaves as well as my original Sabre 2 plate. For the price it provides a high end shave.

 

[JWK1]

Two different issues with the post. First, the threading must align perfectly with the handle threads. Takes me about 3 Trieste align them, and it threads easily.

Second, the angle of the post means that the top of the handle does not rest flush against the baseplate.
View attachment 1896953
View attachment 1896954
I use a nylon washer and it holds everything snugly. Perhaps the recess that accepts the handle could be angled to make the handle sit flush?

Nevertheless, it shaves as well as my original Sabre 2 plate. For the price it provides a high end shave.

Thank you for the explanation. That is what I pictured based on your description. I know I wouldn't have a problem with the threading, but I'm not sure about that uneven meeting of base plate and handle. From your excellent photos, I'm guessing that razor might be cast rather than machined in any way, maybe in the same production method as a Rockwell.

 

[paulusek]

Thank you for the explanation. That is what I pictured based on your description. I know I wouldn't have a problem with the threading, but I'm not sure about that uneven meeting of base plate and handle. From your excellent photos, I'm guessing that razor might be cast rather than machined in any way, maybe in the same production method as a Rockwell.

On my SS Predator handle and base plate fits almost perfecty.(with almost zero tolerances)

 

[JWK1]

On my SS Predator handle and base plate fits almost perfecty.(with almost zero tolerances)

Oh, wow. So nothing like what ewk showed in his photo?

 

[Craig G]

If one had a Sabre V1 and Gem Clog Pruf, is there any point in trying a Shield GEM? Too mild in comparison?

 

[paulusek]

Oh, wow. So nothing like what ewk showed in his photo?

Nothing like that. Approximately only 0,1 mm. If I manage to post a photo here, I will add it later.

 

[paulusek]

If one had a Sabre V1 and Gem Clog Pruf, is there any point in trying a Shield GEM? Too mild in comparison?

I have Sabre V1 L2 and Sabre V2 and Gem Clog Pruf. Shield Predator is comparable to Sabre V2 L2. Noticeably more efficient than the Sabre V1 L2. But the Sabre V1 L2 is noticeably more comfortable and smoother then Predator or Sabre V2 L2. I haven't used the Clog Pruf for a long time, but from memory I would rank it closer to the Shield Predator.

 

[LRod]

But the Sabre V1 L2 is noticeably more comfortable and smoother then Predator or Sabre V2 L2.

I find the Predator smoother (both brass & stainless) than the original Sabre L2!

 

[LRod]

On my SS Predator handle and base plate fits almost perfecty.(with almost zero tolerances)

I wouldn't say mine are zero tolerance but it's almost there!
What I see in the picture that @ewk posted is possibly a manufacturing defect.
Seems excessive to me (as compared to the ones I have). I also had the aluminum
and the titanium which I sold but both were as good as my current ones.
And about the threading issue:
I had two original Sabres and both suffered from the same alignment thing.
They were smoother once you would thread them but you had to be careful to align
when you initially tried to screw the two parts together.
Makes sense though when you have a round hole on the handle and a rectangular
screw post on the cap. No way that's ever gonna be perfect!
I've never had an issue though since I just take my time when reassembling it!
I have razors in all formats and price points and the Shield razors are simply unbeatable for the price!

 

[paulusek]

Nothing like that. Approximately only 0,1 mm. If I manage to post a photo here, I will add it later.

Nothing like that. Approximately only 0,1 mm. If I manage to post a photo here, I will add it later.

This...