Here is the Shield predator in aluminium i haven't shaved with it yet. Here are some pictures of how I received it. Added to the razor was a plastic blade bank and three GEM blades.
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Shield predator (GEM razor)
- Thread starter ehv
- Start Date
I used it two times. I'm not a great razor reviewer. I mostly do two passes with a little bit up touch up.
I used it with a very shallow angle. Because of the weight I maybe applied two much pressure which resulted in some small cuts in the chin area. For the rest the shave was very close.
Both times I had a two day of stubbles and didn't shower before the shave. The first shave did feel a little bit harsh, but that isn't uncommon for a fresh GEM blade.
All in all not bad. I will use it the next weeks to learn the razor.
I used it with a very shallow angle. Because of the weight I maybe applied two much pressure which resulted in some small cuts in the chin area. For the rest the shave was very close.
Both times I had a two day of stubbles and didn't shower before the shave. The first shave did feel a little bit harsh, but that isn't uncommon for a fresh GEM blade.
All in all not bad. I will use it the next weeks to learn the razor.
justremps
Well-Known Member
I find no matter what I’m shaving with I seem to get a better shave with doing more “prep” work on my face like showering or even scrubbing your face with a pre shave bar, I just have personally been a little sceptical about the old SE razors like this one….as beautiful as they are I know nothing about the SE blades they use and that’s gonna be another learning curve for another time for me lol none the less I am still very interested in these and how they shave so thank you for your input
@pogonaut the results with the predator are very good. But I found the shave with the GEM smoother. I'm not sure of this because of the clamping of the blade or the exposure of the blade.
By the way a few days ago I ordered the stainless steel version of the predator. I wouldn't have done it if I disliked shaves with the Shield
By the way a few days ago I ordered the stainless steel version of the predator. I wouldn't have done it if I disliked shaves with the Shield
pogonaut
Active Member
@ehv I was intrigued when you wrote about the tightly clamped blade in the Shield razor (nice looking razor too - thanks for posting it) possibly contributing/impacting the shave comfort. I have yet to use any SE razors newer than 50 years or so, but have thought previously about this dynamic component of a razor. For example, a Streamline from the 30s/40s has a very sturdy clamping ability compared to earlier ER razors. I think it was a Gem advertised in the 1920s as having a singing blade - there is no singing with the Streamline, nor do I imagine with the Shield. A 1914 has a blade with lots of audible feedback as well, and a Gem Jr Bar seems to only lightly hold a wafer blade. Then again the Schicks all have a very solidly held blade. These razors all shave differently - and perhaps the clamping power is having a contribution. Thank you for including the thought - I’m not sure I have properly attended to this idea previously. Oh, oh. More shaving experiments are required!
The stainless steel version of the Shield predator arrived. Included in the box were 20 GEM blades. I think that is very generous by the seller.
On the pictures you can see how tight the blade will be clamped. There is no singing of the blade. You can only hear the stubble being cut. You have to tighten the skin and have a light touch it will cut everything in front of the blade. And riding the cap as much as you can will improve smoothness.
On the pictures you can see how tight the blade will be clamped. There is no singing of the blade. You can only hear the stubble being cut. You have to tighten the skin and have a light touch it will cut everything in front of the blade. And riding the cap as much as you can will improve smoothness.
Yep. But for some reason I have to reminf myself when using it. My experience that it increases the smoothness
Where can I get one? Also, isn't there an adjustable Gem?