Some background first. I believe that great enabler good friend Dave in KY helped me discover the single edge goodness. I like mild razors, unmentionable or single edge. Dave had posted about the Parker adjustable injector being a bit too mild for him, and after some PMs, it was head my way. Wow, it liked it. A lot. And went hunting for a Schick Type M. Acquired one and liked it so much, I added a Type G, especially since Cary Grant in Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream Home shaved with an injector. Dave lent me a bunch of GEMs, and said something like, "oh look, the Blackland Sabre fell in the box!" This was early this year, and I became hooked on single edge razors. 

Back to the present. While participating in SEptember on a couple of sites, someone posted a SOTD with a Contour, and there was discussion on it being mild. I searched, and yes, threads supported that. And it seemed that they weren't always on the BST or eBay in the quantities of injectors. So I had to wait a little bit until one turned up.

I have shaved with it a couple of times, and just love the easy shaves I get. And they do last long enough to get me through an 8 hour day with a mask on. So without further ado, here are a couple of photos, sort of my SOTD. Not as elegant or artistic as some, as it is more of a record of the what I used.

   
   

Hello all. I’m a fairly new wet shaver as of June this year. I tried once before, many years ago. That attempt was with a Merkur 33C, some generic no-name blades, an abysmal little brush, and a tube of C.O. Bigelow green shaving cream. I tried for a few weeks but it just didn’t work.

Skip forward to this year. I have been cooped up, not only with the pandemic but unrelated medical issues, and needed a diversion. Shaving had also become a thankless chore. I was digging through my old shaving supplies and found the Merkur. I thought I’d check back in to see what else there was and my goodness, what a different world it is 10 years later. 

I bought a 1966 Gillette Slim for next to nothing on eBay, a blade sampler, a PAA Atomic Rocket, a tub of Proraso Red and got to it. This time I got it right away and was pretty much instantly hooked. I spent time watching YouTube videos and reading some forums until I discovered…SE razors!

A subculture within an already somewhat obscure community? Sign me up! Actually, funny enough, seeing the Schick L types jogged my memory. One of my grandfathers used those razors. I remember playing with the blade cartridge as a kid wondering what this little gadget did.

I started with a new Parker Adjustable Injector v2. Unfortunately, the first one I received was not working properly. SuperSafetyRazors.com, which is Parker’s storefront, made it right and sent me a new one, after having tried to help me fix the first one. The second one has been great and I really enjoy using it. 

Then I saw the M1 adjustable and knew I had to have one. I waited and ended up getting a brand new one that still had the blank spacer in it. Pushing that first blade in was such a neat feeling, connecting me back in some way to my grandfather. I love how it feels in my hand. It’s a little more solid than the Parker, a tiny bit heavier. The shave is fantastic and I absolutely love it. It will serve me for many years to come. 

I have used the blades included with the Parker which I believe are Personna and have also purchased some Chinese Schick blades. I haven’t been able to tell a tremendous amount of difference between the two which is good and I’m not stuck using one or the other. 

I have been interested in the other SEs, Artist Club and GEM razors. There’s a growing list of AC razors I’d like to try but haven’t had the good fortune just yet. These include v2 and v3 RazoRock Hawks, an Occam, and of course a Vector. I did just acquire a GEM Featherweight and some PTFE coated blades but have yet to try it. That will be my next shave. 

So that’s pretty much my life story when it comes to wet shaving at least. I’m glad to be here. Thanks for having me. Oh, and thanks to @DaveinKY for leading me here.

Tuesday October 5, 2021
Razor: IN Tarmax by Twhite
Blade: sChick
Brush: Fluffy Industries Copper
Soap: Tabac
AS 1: Humphrey's Alcoholado Maravilla 70
AS 2: CHH Tobacco
Fragrance: Paco Rabanne 1 Million
Consecutive Daily Shaves - # 1,063

Clearly I am failing at Open Combs for OCtober due to trial razors coming in to play with but will get to some soon as I can. Have a great day Everyone !!!

   

Facebook has been  down for the last 1.5 hours as I write this. I had not missed it. Probably won't either.

Since discovering shaving forums, I’ve learned so much. I honestly used to shave in the shower with a Sally’s and grocery blades.

What have you discovered as a result of the social aspect of a need to shave? 

Happy weekend all!

Coming soon is a new Lab puppy (Hazel). The one I got in July died and the breeder is giving me this one. I took the daughter and grand daughter to help with the decision.

Attached Files

Thumbnail(s)
   

Today will be my tenth shave on my first Gem SS PFTE Blade (thanks Dave). I've not yet noticed any degradation in effectiveness. I know that there are many variables, but on average how many shaves do you expect to get out of one SS blade? And if you are a carbon blade user, how many for you?

I had never seen the Feather self stropping razors before. I knew they existed and that is why they still make the blades we can buy today. I came across these on ebay in Japan. The prices are outrageous! Everything in this sellers shop is very expensive, maybe it's a Japan thing, but it's interesting to see the pictures.

   
   

And another one

   
   

Clearly Autostrop copies but if the 1950s date is right Valet Autostrop had already ceased production in 1946

The mailwoman just started October off on the right foot! 

When I first started researching SE razors, I ran across a few posts talking about a Gem travel razor they referred to as a "squat head". The conversations intrigued me and I've been on the look out ever since. Got this off Ebay for under $17 including shipping/tax. The razor looks to have little use and near pristine plating. The spring is so tight and/or because of the squat head, it has to be held open. I like the design of the case and the design/raised GEM lettering on the case. I'm guessing it is brass and when I clean up the razor in soapy water, I'll do the case as well. Really a tiny, cute razor! HERE is a link to one of the conversations about the squat head Gem, which included our friend TobyC.

This might seem to some as "much to do about nothing" , but recently I have started squeezing the lather out of the brush and putting it back into the container. As expensive as some soaps can be, I figure this is an easy and practical routine. Thoughts?