I'm just thinking out loud here without it in my hand but what is the purpose of that lip on the back side of the baseplate? It doesn't actually touch the blade for support so what's the function of it?
Atelier Durdan Vestige
- Thread starter Whiterook
- Start date
So now that I got home I tried fitting the same GEM blade which was new on the first shave and same thing I can force it on the top cap but it's like the 2 posts are misaligned or too large and there is no clearance at all around the blade and I can't imagine it's supposed to be that snug. I had to fight to get it off. This is all without the baseplate even being s part of the equation, it's just the blade and the top cap. I figured maybe it's the blade let me try a different one. Well that was even harder to get on and then impossible to get off.
Here's a few pics showing that the blade is not able to sit evenly because it's binding up on the 2 posts.
This side seems to fit ok:
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This side binds but if I reverse it one side goes on ok but the other side binds.
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You can see from the back the right side of the blade won't seat around that post.
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Now the next pic was after about 5 minutes to try to get the blade off and nothing with just my hands could remove it so I had to use some persuasion....
The blade was on so tight that trying to pry it out with a screwdriver broke the blade, and it was STILL stuck on the posts. I tried running it under water and no luck with that. I put on safety glasses as last thing I wanted is shards of blade going into my eye. I then held on the tab of the blade and tapped the threaded post pretty hard and the top cap fell down the drain...
well just kidding about it falling down the drain, but if I didn't have the stopper closed it may have.
All in all something isn't right but I just figured I'd post here to see if anyone else has issues this problematic or if I should contact Augustin? Thanks.
Here's a few pics showing that the blade is not able to sit evenly because it's binding up on the 2 posts.
This side seems to fit ok:
------------------------------------
This side binds but if I reverse it one side goes on ok but the other side binds.
--------------------------------------
You can see from the back the right side of the blade won't seat around that post.
-------------------------------------
Now the next pic was after about 5 minutes to try to get the blade off and nothing with just my hands could remove it so I had to use some persuasion....
The blade was on so tight that trying to pry it out with a screwdriver broke the blade, and it was STILL stuck on the posts. I tried running it under water and no luck with that. I put on safety glasses as last thing I wanted is shards of blade going into my eye. I then held on the tab of the blade and tapped the threaded post pretty hard and the top cap fell down the drain...
well just kidding about it falling down the drain, but if I didn't have the stopper closed it may have.
All in all something isn't right but I just figured I'd post here to see if anyone else has issues this problematic or if I should contact Augustin? Thanks.
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If a standard GEM blade is not sitting on the top cap posts easily and with a little play/movement available, something is wrong. Either the blade is mounted reversed, which does not seem to be the case from your images; the blade is potentially counterfeit, which seems unlikely as well; or something is off on the cap. What is odd to me is this is CNC machined/programmed. So unless the blank for the part was not setup correctly it would seem unlikely to be off , and to have both the top cap and bottom plate align as well. I would reach out to Augustin for sure
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You might want to try another blade as well. Just to make sure it is not a manufacturing defect on the blade. If it isn't going on easily don't force it of course. But I wonder if the blades might be off. I have seen variances on AC blades that have cause problems with fit.
Yes I thought the same thing about it being strange there would be an imperfection being that this is CNC'ed, but look at the cut outs around the post. This doesn't look like the CNC'ed cut outs on the baseplate which are perfect. These seem very crudely cut out.
If I had calipers I'd make some measurements. Maybe I'll get a set of calipers tomorrow to do just that.
If I had calipers I'd make some measurements. Maybe I'll get a set of calipers tomorrow to do just that.
Tried 3 different GEM blades and the Blue PAL blade that I had to pry out and broke in this and none fit correctly. They all fit in my other GEM razors which should rule out bad blades I would think.
The routing on the right side (right side of image) looks a little off to me.
Exactly, and if you zoom in even the post itself looks crooked like it's not completely parallel to the straight edge underneath it.
It was a little snug on the prototype but I didn’t use any force and definitely no screwdrivers! Blades did fit but needed encouragement to remove. I assumed it was more to do with the blades than the tolerances of CNC milled parts.
Talk to Augustin ASAP.
Talk to Augustin ASAP.
It's easier to get in than to get out.
I get consistently great results from the ++, even with a 9th use PTFE. Post shave smoothness and comfort are second to none
And never had an issue loading nor removing a blade
Sorry to hear about your issues
Well I sent Augustin an email right after I made post #223. Just received a shipping notification for replacement top cap. He said he would make extra room for the account of blades fitting so tightly, but was initially thinking it might just be certain blades that don't fit correctly. Pretty certain the Personna GEM is pretty much a standard though as it's one of the best. Hopefully the new one will solve the problem of extra tight fitment.
Glad you have a solution. Pretty sure he is basing it around standard PTFE coated blades.
Having used the Sabre today I noticed ample space around the threaded post.
Having used the Sabre today I noticed ample space around the threaded post.
Received my ++ Vestige the other day and had my first shave with it this morning. I'm not very familiar with the GEM style razors so really didn't know what to expect. Loaded a PTFE coated blade (went on with no issues) and began shaving. Not quite sure of the angle but kept it kind of neutral and ended up with a DFS. The razor seemed smooth and efficient. May take several shaves to get the proper technique down with this one, but not a bad first run. The Vestige is a neat little razor and quality is top notch. I have the La Faulx and really love that razor. I feel like it's going to take some time to warm up to the Vestige.
Received my replacement top cap from Augustin yesterday. Seems to fit much much better. Disassembly is a breeze now. The only problem was my fault when unscrewing the Darwin handle. I guess not too many threads engage this handle so be careful when unscrewing as it will just drop unexpectedly when it's almost off. One of the few times I can say I appreciate light handles is when I drop them (since they have less chance of cracking my tile flooring 
)
I can see why people love light razors as this was very nimble (especially with the Darwin handle) but I still prefer heavy and even bulky razors. I like the heft in my hand, and like the idea the weight is doing the work with little to no added pressure from me.
Great shave with the +++ and every shave with any GEM type razor lately is making me a huge GEM fan. Can't wait for my WR3 1.00 which is in transit and should be here Monday.
Ps. After looking at this picture with the Vestige with the Wolfman Darwin handle, it reminds me of a Roman soldier or a futuristic battle chess piece.
)I can see why people love light razors as this was very nimble (especially with the Darwin handle) but I still prefer heavy and even bulky razors. I like the heft in my hand, and like the idea the weight is doing the work with little to no added pressure from me.
Great shave with the +++ and every shave with any GEM type razor lately is making me a huge GEM fan. Can't wait for my WR3 1.00 which is in transit and should be here Monday.
Ps. After looking at this picture with the Vestige with the Wolfman Darwin handle, it reminds me of a Roman soldier or a futuristic battle chess piece.
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I continue to get great shaves with my ++.
I hit a period of time where I felt the razor was too mild, but now I feel it is perfect for daily or every other day shaving.
The trick for me is to hold the razor with my index and thumb fingers over the 3 grooves. The razor becomes very balanced and becomes efficient and easy to use.
I hit a period of time where I felt the razor was too mild, but now I feel it is perfect for daily or every other day shaving.
The trick for me is to hold the razor with my index and thumb fingers over the 3 grooves. The razor becomes very balanced and becomes efficient and easy to use.
Mr. Shavington
Knows Hot Turkish Toilets
You are supposed to use GEM razors with an extremely shallow angle - so the blade is almost flat against your face, or as close as the razor head will let you. That will give the best and smoothest shave.
R
Have some other new razors getting attention at the moment. Back to the Vestige next week most likely.
Thanks for the tip. I’ve only shaved with it once and it was a decent first outing. Most likely need to improve my angle of attack. I typically go neutral to steep.
Have some other new razors getting attention at the moment. Back to the Vestige next week most likely.
no，Use only gem blades（personna ptfe 62-178）
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