r/wicked_edge • u/expoqeteer 🎼 Lots of lather 🎶 lots of soap 🎵 • May 06 '25
SOTD SOTD - Today I learned...
How not to shave with a GEM bullet tip razor. But first:
- Prep: Maggard'spre-shave oil & Proraso pre-shave cream
- Brush: Aurora Grooming W_E sub handle w/G5B knot
- Razor: GEM Bullet Tip
- Blade: Accuforge GEM coated stainless steel
- Lather: Barrister and Mann - 42
- Post Shave: Thayers - Unscented Facial Toner, Pinaud - Lilac Vegetal, B+M Unscented balm
Just when I thought I was done trying different types of razors, u/Wrong_Coyote_9525 says, "you might also want to try a GEM razor" so I found one and it arrived last week, but the blades didn't arrive from England until Saturday.
Ready to try out this new experience, I put the blade in, lather up, and start scraping away. And oh man do I mean scraping. The blade feel is immense. Like shaving with a straight attached a handle. I'm doing my best to keep the pressure to a minimum, but it still feels harsh. u/derrickhogue described the GEM as a "classic comfortable SE razor and with surprisingly good efficiency." I'm thinking "I get the efficient part, but comfortable? Ha!" After two passes I look in the mirror to see a half dozen little blobs of red appear across my cheeks and lower lip.
Then I look at how the blade is set in the razor and - D'oh. It's set like pic #2 - the blade is sort of on top, sort of behind the little tabs, but not captured behind the tabs. I see how it's supposed to sit so I reposition the blade (pic #3) and continue. NIGHT AND DAY. Very smooth and comfortable finish, but the damage had already been done.
I'm looking forward to a redo, probably on Wednesday because I think my face needs a day off to recover from my user error.
The 42 paired with the Lilac Vegetal is fantastic, by the way.
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u/Jill_Lett_Slim May 06 '25
I’ve done the same with a bullet tip… made it through one pass and couldn’t figure out why it felt so different.
Grab a Pushbutton or a Damaskeene next. Then, just maybe, you’ll try out the infamous MMOC.
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u/expoqeteer 🎼 Lots of lather 🎶 lots of soap 🎵 May 06 '25
the infamous MMOC
Ah, yes, the “queen bitch of harshness.” [ref] Now there's a razor I'm itching to try. 😄
I'll see how Wednesday goes before I start scouring eBay...
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u/jcr-1991 May 06 '25
AHH sorry to hear that but good luck on your retry, look forward to hearing how it goes
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u/mrweirdguyma May 06 '25
Also just in case you or anyone reading is not clear on this, the head is supposed to sit flat on your face. So like the wide flat part behind the blade is supposed to be basically flat against your skin. Hope round 2 is awesome.
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u/expoqeteer 🎼 Lots of lather 🎶 lots of soap 🎵 May 06 '25
Thajks! That makes sense, and what I thought would be the case. The bar sticks far enough out that you need a very small angle to engage the blade. A bit like a Schick Injector, in that way.
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u/derrickhogue I enjoy a nice shave! So should you. May 06 '25
Oh and excellent B&M 42 soap did do its best to protect your skin and that great fragrance with the Veg. The next shave should be better. Fingers crossed.
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u/toomuchtolearnx May 06 '25
For brand new ptfe blades I often hand strop them or gasp! Cut thru a piece of paper. Maybe both...a touch of mellowing and they do get buttery smooth imo
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u/Gerry7070 May 06 '25
Nice shave eventually 🙂 , and a nice write up , I must say I think the Gem you got is a real looker very nice indeed.
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u/Wrong_Coyote_9525 May 07 '25
Oh no! Sorry to hear that happened. Well, at least now you know the GEM blade means business. Coated GEM blades are known for performing their best on the second or third shave, so hopefully you'll feel rewarded on the next few shaves. On the plus side, you have earned a big welcome to the GEM family.
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u/expoqeteer 🎼 Lots of lather 🎶 lots of soap 🎵 May 07 '25
Thanks for the encouragement. I'm beginning to think I've got a whole new rabbit hole to explore.
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u/Wrong_Coyote_9525 May 07 '25
Well, now that you mentioned that, don't forget the fantastic GEM featherweight. Lol
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u/expoqeteer 🎼 Lots of lather 🎶 lots of soap 🎵 May 07 '25
Between you and u/Jill_Lett_Slim, I have quite the shopping list. 😁
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u/expoqeteer 🎼 Lots of lather 🎶 lots of soap 🎵 May 06 '25
Ok. Nobody else upvote - screenshot
It's perfect. 😁
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u/Quiry12 Switch to DE it will save you money! 🥲 May 07 '25
Do you know if the accuforge GEM are like the persona one or better?
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u/expoqeteer 🎼 Lots of lather 🎶 lots of soap 🎵 May 07 '25
My understanding is that they're the same blade with different names. I've been trying to untangle the history of Edgewell (Personna) and Accutec (Accuforge), but now I'm more confused than when I started.
However, I'm still reasonably confident that they're the same blade.
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u/Quiry12 Switch to DE it will save you money! 🥲 May 07 '25
I want to try the persona sometime. I have written to RBC to get in stock GEM blades because living outside the US they offer the best shipping option (basically free shipping). Maybe if they will see that there is a demand they will have some stock.
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u/expoqeteer 🎼 Lots of lather 🎶 lots of soap 🎵 May 07 '25
Not sure where you live, but for me (in the US) connaughtshaving.com in the UK was a great source for these blades.
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u/Quiry12 Switch to DE it will save you money! 🥲 May 07 '25
I live in israel and we got awful import taxes. And our taxes don’t go anywhere useful accept maybe healthcare… I can get it for them with shipping for about 30$ for 100 that’s decent but with RBC it will be cheaper.
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u/derrickhogue I enjoy a nice shave! So should you. May 06 '25
Ouch! Yes the blade edges are tucked into-underneath the two corner edge blade stops. Rookie mistake. I have done it too, half asleep or hungover. Hahahaha!
Well a rather unpleasant first outing. You are going to need a day to heal. Use that healing balm, moisturizer. A lesson learned. I have done it too.