Some Gem razors were designed for use with an older razor blade with a thicker spine. Gems old directions for use recommend holding the razor head against the face. As everyone eventually discovers the best angle using modern single edge blades is to hold the razor at slight angle away from the face to accommodate the thinner spine of todays blades.
I saw an article that described how you could fabricate a shim from the spine of a modern blade to replicate the older thicker spine blade and therefor the recommended angle Gem had intended. You remove the spine of a used blade with pliers. Once removed you split the spine in two pieces by working the spine back and forth to fatigue the metal at the edge of the spine. You now have two shims. The shim is placed under the cutting blades spine when loading the blade.
I used a 1912 with shim this morning. I tried my customary angle, head tilted slightly away from the face. This certainly wasn't the proper and efficient cutting angle. I changed the angle where the head was against the face. Very much a more effective cut. It is a little difficult to break old habits and not revert to tilted away from the face angle at first. It became the new norm after the second pass.
The resulting shave was very good being close, comfortable, N=1. 8 hours post shave and no stubble felt, my standard for a good shave. I plan to use this alteration over the next week.
I would like to hear if others have tried this alteration and their experience.
I saw an article that described how you could fabricate a shim from the spine of a modern blade to replicate the older thicker spine blade and therefor the recommended angle Gem had intended. You remove the spine of a used blade with pliers. Once removed you split the spine in two pieces by working the spine back and forth to fatigue the metal at the edge of the spine. You now have two shims. The shim is placed under the cutting blades spine when loading the blade.
I used a 1912 with shim this morning. I tried my customary angle, head tilted slightly away from the face. This certainly wasn't the proper and efficient cutting angle. I changed the angle where the head was against the face. Very much a more effective cut. It is a little difficult to break old habits and not revert to tilted away from the face angle at first. It became the new norm after the second pass.
The resulting shave was very good being close, comfortable, N=1. 8 hours post shave and no stubble felt, my standard for a good shave. I plan to use this alteration over the next week.
I would like to hear if others have tried this alteration and their experience.
