Shaving notes of the MaineYooper

Good Shave and Marko, thank you both for sharing your stories and information. I am finding it very helpful and fun! My frustration at the moment is my palate. I am hoping I can train myself to detect flavors in coffees, but I am a little worried. Here's why: I can't get a strong smell off of the coffee. I can catch a hint when I open a fresh bag or a cannister that has been closed for several days, but I am not smelling anything off of the beans, whole or freshly ground, or even brewed. To the best of my knowledge I have not had COVID-19, but this lack of a sense of smell is in the back of my mind telling me something bad happened and I can't point to what or even when. Maybe if I push myself, using some notes on my coffee purchases, I can try to zero in on when things stopped having an aroma that I noticed. 

While at work or home making food, I can smell some aromas. But I noticed that when I used Mystic Water's Sensitive Skin soap, I couldn't smell its unique and pleasing aroma. Maybe that is a good window, when was the last time I used MWS, because I have always enjoyed it's scent. 

Anyhow, thanks guys. And now I am off to learn how light, medium, and dark relate to city, city+ etc!

Second shave with the updated Sabre

Safety bar 1
Ethos Clean
Wald Calyx brush
Personna GEM (2)

Level 1 today. Found I'd tossed the older GEM blade, which was a bummer. Paid more attention to angle and had very much less irritation. ATG under the nose seemed too harsh, so I went WTG again. But on the rinse (warm, soapy water), tingle started up. And the alum block had quite a reaction, although not as strong as yesterday. Things calmed down quick again and the shave seems very close.

My plan was to use a blade with 13 shaves on it, but I had tossed it. So, do I continue with this blade, or do I try a new one? I have had a blade GEM on occasion, but I am undecided if it is legit or not, that is, the blade being a dud.

Any thoughts from GEM users would be appreciated, and I'll tag Dave in KY and Whiterook as two gents I know do a lot of single edge shaves.

Eric, if you had a bad shave with a new blade and in unknown razor I would set that blade aside rather than throw it out and try another new blade and see if there's a difference. You may find that it is a bum or defective blade which can happen on occasion or your results might lead to another conclusion. Wish you the best and Hope that you can figure it out and that it ends up being a winner for you. Still watching to see what your thoughts are as you continue to use it. Thanks!

Eric, if you had a bad shave with a new blade and in unknown razor I would set that blade aside rather than throw it out and try another new blade and see if there's a difference. You may find that it is a bum or defective blade which can happen on occasion or your results might lead to another conclusion. Wish you the best and Hope that you can figure it out and that it ends up being a winner for you. Still watching to see what your thoughts are as you continue to use it. Thanks!

Thank you, Dave, that is exactly the sort of help I needed!

Sometimes a quick palm strop before the first shave can help. I believe Shane at Blackland Razors recommends this also. The level 1 shouldn't be harsh.

Sometimes a quick palm strop before the first shave can help. I believe Shane at Blackland Razors recommends this also. The level 1 shouldn't be harsh.

I don’t do it myself, but lots of customers like to palm strop GEMs to simulate that first shave. The first one is always the worst!

I don't palm strop, but I often strop a GEM blade by folding a two-ply paper towel in half, laying it on a flat surface, and drawing the blade across the towel in the same direction.  I hold the blade at the ends of the spine, between my thumb and middle finger, and apply gentle pressure in the middle with my index finger.  I can achieve a shallow angle this way, and I flip the blade every few strokes.  However, some of you may already have a Mitten Clamp, perhaps because you are fellow fishermen.  If you do have a mitten clamp, or something similar, it's faster and more relaxing to affix the clamp at right angles to the center of the spine.  This method also achieves a shallow angle, and it works faster because you flip the blade by just flipping the mitten clamp.

I don't palm strop, but I often strop a GEM blade by folding a two-ply paper towel in half, laying it on a flat surface, and drawing the blade across the towel in the same direction.  I hold the blade at the ends of the spine, between my thumb and middle finger, and apply gentle pressure in the middle with my index finger.  I can achieve a shallow angle this way, and I flip the blade every few strokes.  However, some of you may already have a Mitten Clamp, perhaps because you are fellow fishermen.  If you do have a mitten clamp, or something similar, it's faster and more relaxing to affix the clamp at right angles to the center of the spine.  This method also achieves a shallow angle, and it works faster because you flip the blade by just flipping the mitten clamp.

Thanks, Mike! Stopping a new blade on paper towel seemed to do the trick. I'll stick with level 1 for a while and then go up to 2.

I'm glad to hear that Eric MaineYooper. Thanks.

Sometimes a quick palm strop before the first shave can help. I believe Shane at Blackland Razors recommends this also. The level 1 shouldn't be harsh.

I don’t do it myself, but lots of customers like to palm strop GEMs to simulate that first shave. The first one is always the worst!

I stropped a new blade this morning and had a great shave. And a long lasting one, too, with safety bar 1!