kypros
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What I do under these circumstances, I pass through a paper business card to clean any residue and then soak in alcohol after a few uses.
Rocnel GEM SE
- Thread starter Looney12345
- Start date
Optometrist
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I've been pondering over this razor for a while, but, yesterday, I finally went ahead and ordered from Paul and it has just arrived.
I've never held or used a GEM, only several SE razors, all of which I sold because I didn't like the longer head/blade, compared to a DE. I wasn't sure what to expect with the Rocnel, however, what a nice surprise to find the head/blade length similar to my preferred choice.
Quality looks superb and razor has a nice weight.
I haven't shaved, this morning, as I was expecting this to arrive and want 2 days' growth for first use, tomorrow morning. Very curious to try a GEM for the first time.
I've never held or used a GEM, only several SE razors, all of which I sold because I didn't like the longer head/blade, compared to a DE. I wasn't sure what to expect with the Rocnel, however, what a nice surprise to find the head/blade length similar to my preferred choice.
Quality looks superb and razor has a nice weight.
I haven't shaved, this morning, as I was expecting this to arrive and want 2 days' growth for first use, tomorrow morning. Very curious to try a GEM for the first time.
Optometrist
Forum GOD!
First shave with the Rocnel, first shave with a GEM completed, this morning, and even after just one use, I am impressed.
Just love the weight and balance it has and the shorter head, compared to a regular SE, is ideal, for me.
My usual three passes and an easy BBS. No cuts, no nicks, no weepers. Just a perfect, smooth shave.
The angle is very shallow and caught me out for the first couple of strokes. Thereafter, it was plain sailing.
Very much looking forward to the next shave. This is an excellent razor.
Just love the weight and balance it has and the shorter head, compared to a regular SE, is ideal, for me.
My usual three passes and an easy BBS. No cuts, no nicks, no weepers. Just a perfect, smooth shave.
The angle is very shallow and caught me out for the first couple of strokes. Thereafter, it was plain sailing.
Very much looking forward to the next shave. This is an excellent razor.
This is a nice razor there is no issue with the fixed blade exposure but you have to pay attention in how you center the blade from side to side; the bottom blade corners have very little room for error, very tight tolerance. If the blade is not centered properly, being off a MM or two leaves one edge with a faction of sharp blade edge exposure which can result in that you can cut/scrape yourself.
I put in the blade and did not pay close attention to the blade ends, the razor does not give you much room for error. One end of the blade came slightly out of one end and in maneuvering the razor gave myself a clean slice to my cheek as well as leaving scrape marks to a few other area's.
I stopped shaving and readjusted the blade, made sure the ends were perfectly set inside the head and tightened down the set screw securely locking down the blade. The razors shaving capabilities is very good to excellent if you like Gem razors (also hand strop the blade 2-3 times each side after each use it will help keep the edge straight). Moral of the story excellent razor but don't put the blade in by a glance and fingertip feel. If you wear glass's put them on this razor can bite if you get lazy putting in the blade.
P.S One thing I would't do is de-spine the blade, the blade edge exposure is just right for this razor.I feel that would bring another world of blade centering issues that you will regret (just my opinion).
(I have posted my thoughts on other sites)
Steven
I put in the blade and did not pay close attention to the blade ends, the razor does not give you much room for error. One end of the blade came slightly out of one end and in maneuvering the razor gave myself a clean slice to my cheek as well as leaving scrape marks to a few other area's.
I stopped shaving and readjusted the blade, made sure the ends were perfectly set inside the head and tightened down the set screw securely locking down the blade. The razors shaving capabilities is very good to excellent if you like Gem razors (also hand strop the blade 2-3 times each side after each use it will help keep the edge straight). Moral of the story excellent razor but don't put the blade in by a glance and fingertip feel. If you wear glass's put them on this razor can bite if you get lazy putting in the blade.
P.S One thing I would't do is de-spine the blade, the blade edge exposure is just right for this razor.I feel that would bring another world of blade centering issues that you will regret (just my opinion).
(I have posted my thoughts on other sites)
Steven
I can only speak about the British Ever Ready which I use in my rotation (haven't used my Jr or Damaskeene in years). The ER gives a little more feedback then the Rocknel, the Rocknel is a few notchs more aggressive then the ER, but to me it's not uncomfortable, while shaving I feel that I am getting a very good shave with the Gem. This is only my opinion, YMMV.
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kypros
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Thank you for the review, as I have one coming to me and I haven't ever used a gem type razor, save for the Oneblade(if it can be called that), I would like to know how smooth this razor is, because even if it's the right efficiency for me, I would still like to have a smooth in a shave.
Optometrist
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As a first time user of the Rocnel and, indeed, any GEM, I found the shave to be extremely smooth, bar the first few strokes in learning the correct angle.
I'm truly looking forward to my second shave in the morning.
kypros
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Thank you , this puts my fears to rest, as I don't need another high end razor gathering dust..
Optometrist
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Second shave, this morning, and all went as smoothly as yesterday. BBS in 3 passes, no blood, whatsoever. I'm hooked.
nvpliers
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I have 3 shaves under my belt with the Rocnel GEM SE. Here's just a broad brush comparison with the vintage GEMs. This is not a one-to-one comparison of any individual vintage GEM vs this new razor. My experience with the Vintage is that I have shaved with 1912s, 1912 Juniors, Damaskeenes, G-Bars, Contours, the pushbutton. I am not an expert with vintage GEMs. But I do have some familiarity with many. As for the final result, I get the same high-quality shaves from the new GEM as I do with the vintage GEMS. The main difference for me, is that the razor for the most part feels more sturdy, more substantial, like the razor itself is adding to the rigidity to the already rigid GEM blade; giving me confidence to attack heavy growth without tugging, which sometimes happens with some of my vintage GEMs. Maybe it's technique on my part, but for the 3rd shave in a row, I've had NO tugging, only a sensation of a sturdy tool, cutting through beard growth.
For a large part of my vintage GEM shaving experience, many times I would feel a sense of flex, like maybe the head is moving just a wee bit. Not sure if that is actually happening. But I think the Rocnel's handle is closer to the center of the razor's head than that of most vintage GEMs. So, this reduces the moment arm, or leverage so there might be less tendency for the head to "flex" a bit. Also, there is substantially more material on the Rocnel where the handle goes into the head...like a beefed-up flange. This too adds to the overall stability of this razor.
As for looks...I like it more in person than in the pictures. It has that cool gadgetry kind of look. But, to me that is secondary to how it performs. As noted above, the final result as compared to vintage GEMs, it's equal for the most part, but it's "the getting there" that was more enjoyable for me. Also, for me, I didn't feel like I had to get too worried about "light pressure". After learning it, I just shaved. Carefree, no worries.
Oh, one other comparison to vintage GEMs. I found this razor easier to shave ATG underneath the nose. This is a notoriously difficult part of my shaving, and few razors can perform this smoothly.
Although I like my vintage GEMs, this is my favorite GEM thus far. And not because it's new...I seldom shave with the same razor 2x in a row, let alone 3x. I looked forward to shaving with this guy.
I hope this might help those that are on the fence about getting one or not.
For a large part of my vintage GEM shaving experience, many times I would feel a sense of flex, like maybe the head is moving just a wee bit. Not sure if that is actually happening. But I think the Rocnel's handle is closer to the center of the razor's head than that of most vintage GEMs. So, this reduces the moment arm, or leverage so there might be less tendency for the head to "flex" a bit. Also, there is substantially more material on the Rocnel where the handle goes into the head...like a beefed-up flange. This too adds to the overall stability of this razor.
As for looks...I like it more in person than in the pictures. It has that cool gadgetry kind of look. But, to me that is secondary to how it performs. As noted above, the final result as compared to vintage GEMs, it's equal for the most part, but it's "the getting there" that was more enjoyable for me. Also, for me, I didn't feel like I had to get too worried about "light pressure". After learning it, I just shaved. Carefree, no worries.
Oh, one other comparison to vintage GEMs. I found this razor easier to shave ATG underneath the nose. This is a notoriously difficult part of my shaving, and few razors can perform this smoothly.
Although I like my vintage GEMs, this is my favorite GEM thus far. And not because it's new...I seldom shave with the same razor 2x in a row, let alone 3x. I looked forward to shaving with this guy.
I hope this might help those that are on the fence about getting one or not.
kypros
Forum GOD!
Thank you nvpliers for the excellent review.
In all the time that I have been converted to DE and SE shaving, I have noticed that I naturally gravitate towards the shorter DE blade length as I find it more manouverable and easier to use. The injector and Gem razors now offer this shorter length along with the added rigidity of the thicker blade which I find ideal.
I don't know about you gents, but it would be interesting to hear some more views on this topic.
In all the time that I have been converted to DE and SE shaving, I have noticed that I naturally gravitate towards the shorter DE blade length as I find it more manouverable and easier to use. The injector and Gem razors now offer this shorter length along with the added rigidity of the thicker blade which I find ideal.
I don't know about you gents, but it would be interesting to hear some more views on this topic.
nvpliers
Forum GOD!
You're very welcome, kypros. Yes, regarding rigidity, the Rocnel actually magnifies the already rigid GEM blade. This has been my experience.