The Daily Double

[GoodShave]

Rasoir Sabre France 5/8
Gem Micromatic Null Comb / fresh AccuTec PRO

View attachment 1974559

How did you make your Gem Micromatic Null Comb?
I have not seen anyone remove a comb from a Micromatic before.

 

[Tanuki]

How did you make your Gem Micromatic Null Comb?
I have not seen anyone remove a comb from a Micromatic before.

I did not originate this idea. @Old Hippie goaded me into it after seeing a post on B&B.

$5 MMOC (low end user grade but solid TTO)
clamped it in my swivel vise
Dremel with cutting wheel - medium speed, steady hand
some small Harbor Freight files
a little piece of high grit wet/dry sandpaper

pretty easy job

 

[GoodShave]

I did not originate this idea. @Old Hippie goaded me into it after seeing a post on B&B.

$5 MMOC (low end user grade but solid TTO)
clamped it in my swivel vise
Dremel with cutting wheel - medium speed, steady hand
some small Harbor Freight files
a little piece of high grit wet/dry sandpaper

pretty easy job

Thank you!
How does it shave? What does the shave feel like?
Is it like a shavette/barber razor?

 

[Tanuki]

Thank you!
How does it shave? What does the shave feel like?
Is it like a shavette/barber razor?

As a 'hoe' razor, handling the Gem MMNC is quite different than a shavette or SR. I have a Focus Al half-blade shavette (and also a cheapie half-blade). I have more SRs than I can count.

It shaves quite efficiently and close. The feel is much the same as an MMOC or Ever-Ready Shovelhead. Blade forward. I have been using it very carefully, but it doesn't seem to be bitey.

After yesterday's super fast shave, I am going to say that excellent prep is advised. I have a tough hide, but producing some pinprick bleeding goes naturally with the high efficiency of the open Gem blade.

Some rules are common to open blades. Generally flat/shallow angles, no slicing movement allowed, be very careful not to damage the edge. The Gem blade edge is less supported than my shavettes, but the stiff Gem blade makes up for most of that.

My first encounter with a DEvette was picking up an Old Type in a vintage store somewhere out in the Great Basin. One side had no teeth!

I have done some shaves with old Gillette three hole blades (last year's One Blade in February). So now I understand that shaving with one of those thicker/stiffer three hole blades in an Old Type DEvette would be more like the MMNC - far easier than using a modern thin DE blade in a DEvette made from something like a Merkur 34.

 

[Old Hippie]

I did not originate this idea. @Old Hippie goaded me into it after seeing a post on B&B.

And Old Hippie said he would do his, too. Which is still sitting right here by the computer, staring at me. I'd better get off my rear end and do it!

O.H.

 

[Old Hippie]

I understand that shaving with one of those thicker/stiffer three hole blades in an Old Type DEvette would be more like the MMNC - far easier than using a modern thin DE blade in a DEvette made from something like a Merkur 34.

That observation is precisely why I used a RazoRock BBS-SB for my devette. I wanted that extra bit of tension it puts into the blade. I still find that razor difficult to manage ATG, but I've got some useful insights from using the SlimGem Mantis SE which is a Gem sevette, essentially. A Gem blade is stiff enough not to need too much additional support in that use, though it still needs to be held securely.

One of the little tips I picked up from the naked-blade shavers (aside from keeping the lather a little looser) is to do two WTG passes. Removing as much of the overburden as possible before attempting ATG seems to have a lot of benefits.

O.H.

 

[GoodShave]

As a 'hoe' razor, handling the Gem MMNC is quite different than a shavette or SR. I have a Focus Al half-blade shavette (and also a cheapie half-blade). I have more SRs than I can count.

It shaves quite efficiently and close. The feel is much the same as an MMOC or Ever-Ready Shovelhead. Blade forward. I have been using it very carefully, but it doesn't seem to be bitey.

After yesterday's super fast shave, I am going to say that excellent prep is advised. I have a tough hide, but producing some pinprick bleeding goes naturally with the high efficiency of the open Gem blade.

Some rules are common to open blades. Generally flat/shallow angles, no slicing movement allowed, be very careful not to damage the edge. The Gem blade edge is less supported than my shavettes, but the stiff Gem blade makes up for most of that.

My first encounter with a DEvette was picking up an Old Type in a vintage store somewhere out in the Great Basin. One side had no teeth!

I have done some shaves with old Gillette three hole blades (last year's One Blade in February). So now I understand that shaving with one of those thicker/stiffer three hole blades in an Old Type DEvette would be more like the MMNC - far easier than using a modern thin DE blade in a DEvette made from something like a Merkur 34.

Thank you so much!

The Focus Slim AL is one of the newer barber razors/shavettes to my den and I enjoy it. Out of my DE barber razors, I would say it is my current favorite. Though I do enjoy my AC barber razors (Kai and Feather brands) as well. I have not ventured into SRs yet.

 

[Ron R]

SE SOTD, Friday, January 17th 2025

Razor : (L) Yaqi Romulus 316 SSP straight bar(SB) with a Yaqi Chippendale 316 SSP handle. Mfg 2023>, mild to tame mid range. Excellent machining, finish and design for some great nimble shaving.Great daily driver IMO
Razor : (R) Yaqi Romulus 316 SSP open comb(OC) with a Yaqi Chippendale 316 SSP handle. Mfg 2024>, tame mid to mid range. Excellent machining , finish and design for some great nimble shaving. Great razor for every other day or possibly a daily driver for course beards. I could use it as a daily driver using Kai or Schick proline blades. Feather blades are very sharp. Using a Kai Protouch blade(guarded type) would easily make it a daily driver for almost anyone IMO.
Blade : (L Romulus SB)Kai Captain Titian mild pink(1) sharp and smooth with excellent longevity. Best blade for my Romulus razors.
Blade : (R Romulus OC) Kai Captain Titian mild pink(1) sharp and smooth with excellent longevity. Preferred blade for my Romulus razors.
Soap : Tailor of old bond street (TOBS) Sandalwood cream. Richly scented herbal soap with excellent lather qualities.
Brush : Yaqi "Moka express" 24mm synthetic. Very enjoyable brush to use.
Pre shave : (Dedicated Cashmere synthetic)Brush wash whole face with CeraVe hand bar cleanser with a dollop of clear Aloe Vera on the cleaned beard area.
Prep : Cold water rinse after each pass of 2 + pickups. WTG + ATG + pickups.
Post shave: ( Alum tested with no stings on either both sides of my face)Ogallala Bay Rum & sandalwood + a dollop of Geo F Trumper skin food.
Results : (L Romulus SB) or CCS,DFS,BBs + no irritation + no weepers= Had a close comfortable shave this morning with my Yaqi Romulus SB bar razor with a Kai CTMP blade.
Results : (R Romulus OC)

or CCS,DFS,BBs + no irritation + no weepers = Had a close comfortable stellar shave this morning with my Romulus OC razor + Kai CTMP
Conclusion: Both variants of the Romulus razor are excellent for my shaving needs and the open comb has slightly more blade feel IMO. Both have given myself some great shaves. They perform well and will be used a lot in my razor rotation. Both razors could be used as daily drivers with the proper blade selection.

Have some great shaves!

 

[Guido75]

Excellent gear Ron! @Ron R - great to see you in this thread as well

 

[Guido75]

Date	17.01.2025
365 daily shaves	017/365

Razor	Blade	Brush
DSCosmetic AX/‘WR2’ Gillette Fatboy @5	7 OC Yellow (11)	Zenith Manchurian Copper XXL
Preshave	Soap	Postshave
Cold splash Mastro Miche preshave	Mike’s Natural Barbershop (5)	Cold splash Aftershave Balm

Effectiveness	Facial Impact Score FIS™
8.75/10 (BBS-)	10/10 (GlideFest)

Notes:

A solid and rather superb shave today.

Click here for today’s highlights.

I am using the Zenith in this Brush Chronicle.

Wishing you a wonderful shave today!

 

[Guido75]

Date	19.01.2025
365 daily shaves	019/365

Razor	Blade	Brush
Yaqi Sentinel 1.50SB DSCosmetic AX/‘WR2’	7 OC Yellow (13)	Zenith Manchurian Copper XXL
Preshave	Soap	Postshave
Cold splash Mastro Miche preshave	Proraso Green (11)	Cold splash Aftershave Balm

Effectiveness	Facial Impact Score FIS™
8.75/10 (BBS-)	10/10 (GlideFest)

Notes:

I had a wonderful shave to say the least. The head shave with the Ikon Tek was even better!

Click here for today‘s highlights.

Lather was fantastic today. More on that subject in the Zenith Brush Chronicle thread.

Wishing you a wonderful shave today!

 

[never-stop-learning]

Sunday 20250119
Daily Double

Razor: Kai Kasho Captain Woody Folding SR (WTG/ATG)
Blade: Kai Captain Titan Mild Protouch MG (Shaves: 1, Passes: 2)

Razor: Colonial Razors The General V2 (Timeless Crown TRH8 Ti Handle) (Touch-up)
Blade: Schick Proline P (Shaves: 13, Passes: 27)

Brush: Heritage Collection Ever-Ready 500E (Heritage Manchurian knot)
Bowl: Captain's Choice Copper
Lather: Trufitt & Hill Trafalgar Cream
Post-shave Balm: Nivea
Aftershave: Bootlegger's El Dorado

Superb 3-Pass BBS

Please visit My Journal for shave notes.

 

[Guido75]

Way to go David @never-stop-learning!! Excellent set up there!

 

[never-stop-learning]

Way to go David @never-stop-learning!! Excellent set up there!

Thank you, my friend!

 

[never-stop-learning]

Monday 20250120
Daily Double

Razor: Kai Kasho Captain Woody Folding SR (WTG/ATG)
Blade: Kai Captain Titan Mild Protouch MG (Shaves: 2, Passes: 4)

Razor: Colonial Razors The General V2 (Timeless Crown TRH8 Ti Handle) (Touch-up)
Blade: Schick Proline P (Shaves: 14, Passes: 28)

Brush: Heritage Collection Ever-Ready 500E (Heritage Manchurian knot)
Bowl: Captain's Choice Copper
Lather: Trufitt & Hill Trafalgar Cream
Post-shave Balm: Nivea
Aftershave: Bootlegger's El Dorado

Same kit as yesterday.

Superb 3-Pass BBS

 

[Guido75]

21.01.2025

• Guido75
• Jan 20, 2025

Karve CB OC-C • Yaqi Sentinel 1.50SB • 7 O’Clock Yellow • ABW Slim Oak 2BED • Boris Shaving Soap #1

Date	21.01.2025
365 daily shaves	021/365

Razor	Blade	Brush
Karve CB OC-C Yaqi Sentinel 1.50SB	7 OC Yellow (15)	Abe’s Brush Works Slim Oak 2BED
Preshave	Soap	Postshave
Cold splash Mastro Miche preshave	Boris Shaving Soap #1 (39)	Cold splash Aftershave Balm

Effectiveness	Facial Impact Score FIS™
9/10 (BBS)	10/10 (GlideFest)

Notes:

Superb shave this Tuesday. Feeling close to marble smoothness!

Click here for today’s highlights.

Continuing the Brush Chronicles of the 2BED brush.

Wishing you a wonderful shave today!

 

[never-stop-learning]

Tuesday 20250121
Daily Double

Razor: Kai Kasho Captain Woody Folding SR (WTG/ATG)
Blade: Kai Captain Titan Mild Protouch MG (Shaves: 3, Passes: 6)

Razor: Colonial Razors The General V2 (Timeless Crown TRH8 Ti Handle) (Touch-up)
Blade: Schick Proline P (Shaves: 15, Passes: 29)

Brush: Heritage Collection Ever-Ready 500E (Heritage Manchurian knot)
Bowl: Captain's Choice Copper
Lather: Trufitt & Hill Trafalgar Cream
Post-shave Balm: Nivea
Aftershave: Bootlegger's El Dorado

Using this outstanding kit all week! Really enjoying each item!

Superb 3-Pass BBS!

 

[Guido75]

Date	22.01.2025
365 daily shaves	022/365

Razor	Blade	Brush
Gillette Lady Starburst Razorock Game Changer .84SB	7 OC Yellow (16)	Abe’s Brush Works Slim Oak 2BED
Preshave	Soap	Postshave
Cold splash Mastro Miche preshave	Mudder Focker (5)	Cold splash Aftershave Balm

Effectiveness	Facial Impact Score FIS™
8.75/10 (BBS-)	10/10 (GlideFest)

Notes:

Wonderful shave and excellent results.

Click here for today’s highlights.

Wishing you a wonderful shave today!

 

[never-stop-learning]

Wednesday 20250122
Thursday 20250123
Daily Double

Razor: Kai Kasho Captain Woody Folding SR (WTG/ATG)
Blade: Kai Captain Titan Mild Protouch MG (Shaves: 4 & 5, Passes: 8 & 10)

Razor: Colonial Razors The General V2 (Timeless Crown TRH8 Ti Handle) (Touch-up)
Blade: Schick Proline P (Shaves: 16 & 17, Passes: 30 & 31)

Brush: Heritage Collection Ever-Ready 500E (Heritage Manchurian knot)
Bowl: Captain's Choice Copper
Lather: Trufitt & Hill Trafalgar Cream
Post-shave Balm: Nivea
Aftershave: Bootlegger's El Dorado

Today's post is for two days, 20250122 & 20250123. Been using this outstanding kit all week! Exceptionally consistent and very satisfying performance!

Superb 3-Pass BBS!

 

[never-stop-learning]

Friday 20250124
Daily Double

Razor: Kai Kasho Captain Woody Folding SR (WTG/ATG)
Blade: Kai Captain Titan Mild Protouch MG (Shaves: 6, Passes: 12)

Razor: Colonial Razors The General V2 (Timeless Crown TRH8 Ti Handle) (Touch-up)
Blade: Schick Proline P (Shaves: 18, Passes: 32)

Brush: Heritage Collection Ever-Ready 500E (Heritage Manchurian knot)
Bowl: Captain's Choice Copper
Lather: Trufitt & Hill Trafalgar Cream
Post-shave Balm: Nivea
Aftershave: Bootlegger's El Dorado

This week's kit has been exceptional in all respects!

Superb 3-Pass BBS!