Prep: Hot shower
Pre: Noxzema Cleansing cream
Soap: Speick Stick grated into tub
Bowl: Estremoz Scuttle
Brush: Omega boar 10005
Razor: Gem Junior Bar + Cadet handle
Blade: Gem (4)
After: Myrsol F./Extra AS, RSC ASB
With all this hoo-ha about modern Gem razors I've been giving my Gem razors a run out. Today's little lather-catcher is just the simplest design which works the best. Fastest loader; just slip the blade under the bar and flip the spring catch to hold the blade in place. No need for shimming shenanigans; this razor just works with modern blades.
The head is millileters larger than the actual blade which I think beats the modern SS Gem razors just on that count alone. It's lightweight, manoeuvrable, not a sharp corner in sight. Excess lather is held (caught) under the blade and it's even a doddle to rinse/wash as there are no difficult-to-reach areas when cleaning.
Main point is that it's a great, fun shaver which gives excellent results.
I tell ya, I thought this blade was a dud because I've had a bit of irritation using it with my Damaskeene, OC Micromatic and 1914 but in this razor not a problem.
Now if I were designing a modern Gem razor this would be it. My improvements would be:
- Improve the catch so it doesn't stick up so far, as it hits the nose going North-South
- Maybe make the back of the razor out of more springy metal to give a little flex if too much pressure is applied; but it may well be that the flex is already set at its best.
How expensive could it be? It's only stamped metal and very few moving parts.
Happy Holidays, people!
