Pass Around Vestige Gem passaround
- Thread starter Holyzeus
- Start date
Masamune
Forum GOD!
Thanks for the opportunity to trial the Vestige with all the plates. The GEM format is my favourite and it's great to see more modern options becoming available and more popular.
I shaved all the plates at least twice but the regular/0 plate and the + got the most action. I didn't just use the Vestige and compared to the Sabre and the Wolfman.
Sabre v Vestige
Both the Wolfman and the Sabre have more blade on show. The Vestige 0 plate is very much line with the Sabre L1 for efficiency. I don't have the L2 at the moment but from memory the + is close. The Sabre seemed to be smoother but I think that is more to do with the extra weight. I like the agility of the lightweight Vestige but ultimately prefer the feel of the Sabre. Others will probably love the lighter weight but ultimately the head is a touch lighter than I personally prefer. The angled portion of the cap is very small compared to the Sabre, not to mention the Wolfman. It's easy to find the angle regardless. I had some excellent shaves with the Vestige. Maybe I should have tried the Vestige handle on the Sabre head.
Wolfman v Vestige
Yes, the Wolfman is bronze but I have used a number of steel versions including the prototype. Well these are totally different head designs and weight classes. The Vestige is approaching half the weight of the Wolfman. Although the Vestige is really smooth the Wolfman is even better. Yes, the Wolfman has that bulky head but for me it's a smoother shave. Moreso than the Sabre. That said, the Vestige is still a very comfortable razor but a different experience to the Wolfman.
Final thoughts
I very much enjoyed my time with the Vestige it but it's rather light especially the head and on the milder side. Feels like a lightweight Sabre but handles like a Vector. I do however prefer the weight of the Wolfman. It's a better shave for me. Totally different experience though. Could have done with a larger gap perhaps. The near zero gap is very comfortable, even the ++ is very safe with some added blade feel. Wolfman feels smoother with the extra weight. Vestige head is very light. 17g or thereabout. Handle needs more grip.
Very interesting design but tending to mild even with the ++ plate. Even with the higher blade exposure it still feels very safe but you can absolutely feel the blade. No nicks, cuts or irritation with any of the plates. Just to clarify: I prefer the + plate over the ++ but the higher plate is not aggressive. That's just my preference for razors generally.
The unique lather slots simply will not clog, even with 3 days growth and the 0 plate.
I would still like a handle with more secure grip. I never dropped the razor but it got slick pretty easily in the basic polish. I've tried to show the machining marks on the razor.
I recommend the + plate if you won't get the chance to try out the razor. There isn't a significant difference in feel over the 0 plate.
The blade is a snug fit, I had to pop it out when taking apart the razor.
I don't really use stands but the handle fits perfectly.
Augustin always makes interesting razors and I'd love to see his take on a modern injector next.
I shaved all the plates at least twice but the regular/0 plate and the + got the most action. I didn't just use the Vestige and compared to the Sabre and the Wolfman.
Sabre v Vestige
Both the Wolfman and the Sabre have more blade on show. The Vestige 0 plate is very much line with the Sabre L1 for efficiency. I don't have the L2 at the moment but from memory the + is close. The Sabre seemed to be smoother but I think that is more to do with the extra weight. I like the agility of the lightweight Vestige but ultimately prefer the feel of the Sabre. Others will probably love the lighter weight but ultimately the head is a touch lighter than I personally prefer. The angled portion of the cap is very small compared to the Sabre, not to mention the Wolfman. It's easy to find the angle regardless. I had some excellent shaves with the Vestige. Maybe I should have tried the Vestige handle on the Sabre head.
Wolfman v Vestige
Yes, the Wolfman is bronze but I have used a number of steel versions including the prototype. Well these are totally different head designs and weight classes. The Vestige is approaching half the weight of the Wolfman. Although the Vestige is really smooth the Wolfman is even better. Yes, the Wolfman has that bulky head but for me it's a smoother shave. Moreso than the Sabre. That said, the Vestige is still a very comfortable razor but a different experience to the Wolfman.
Final thoughts
I very much enjoyed my time with the Vestige it but it's rather light especially the head and on the milder side. Feels like a lightweight Sabre but handles like a Vector. I do however prefer the weight of the Wolfman. It's a better shave for me. Totally different experience though. Could have done with a larger gap perhaps. The near zero gap is very comfortable, even the ++ is very safe with some added blade feel. Wolfman feels smoother with the extra weight. Vestige head is very light. 17g or thereabout. Handle needs more grip.
Very interesting design but tending to mild even with the ++ plate. Even with the higher blade exposure it still feels very safe but you can absolutely feel the blade. No nicks, cuts or irritation with any of the plates. Just to clarify: I prefer the + plate over the ++ but the higher plate is not aggressive. That's just my preference for razors generally.
The unique lather slots simply will not clog, even with 3 days growth and the 0 plate.
I would still like a handle with more secure grip. I never dropped the razor but it got slick pretty easily in the basic polish. I've tried to show the machining marks on the razor.
I recommend the + plate if you won't get the chance to try out the razor. There isn't a significant difference in feel over the 0 plate.
The blade is a snug fit, I had to pop it out when taking apart the razor.
I don't really use stands but the handle fits perfectly.
Augustin always makes interesting razors and I'd love to see his take on a modern injector next.
Crossan
Forum GOD!
Not the final shave as it's going to hang around until slapo is back. But I would say the below is a fair summary of my experience with this one.
For perspective, I am a fan of GEM razors. I've either had or have had most modern GEMs (barring the elusive Rocnel SE-G...damn it!) and a handful of vintages (MMOC, 1912, ambassador/streamline, push button, Clog Pruf...and I'm sure I've missed one or two).
Just looking at and loading the razor you can see and feel the quality. On loading the blade the tolerances are tight, the blade almost clipped into place. As I think has already been said, the polish isn't wolfman quality and you can see marks, but it's decent. The head is slim and light, probably the most maneuverable GEM I've tried.
As a general rule I tend toward more efficient blade forward and generally heavy razors. That in itself shouldn't bode well based on previous comments on feel and clearly how light it is, but it's a nice looking one so have to give it a fair shout.
I thought I would get a baseline with the standard plate. This was a clear mistake, it was far too mild for myself. So much so that I had to go over areas multiple times to get the desired finish and even then it wasn't long lasting. On the plus side though, at least I know where I stand.
Lesson learnt, I moved on to the ++. This was significantly better, so much so that I didn't feel the need to try out the + plate. Very easy to find and maintain the angle (I actually imagine this is what a Henson feels like), and surprisingly efficient. Time and time again the shave was effortless, smooth and irritation free. I would have perhaps liked a little more blade feel but that's minor, the finish spoke for itself.
My main concern, the weight, was unfounded. This probably surprised me more than anything else. Usually when I use a light razor I tend to put more pressure down leading to irritation, and it takes a bit of concentration to stop myself. Not so with this one, as already mentioned, effortless and irritation free.
There's only one negative that I've come up against, and that's the handle. It's not the look, initially I wasn't hugely taken but it's grown on me. What I do have a slight issue with is the grip. A couple of times when I let the lather get a little out of control my grip on the handle was reduced, and it felt like it might slip. I'm not sure how it could be improved without pushing the look too far into just looking odd.
All of the above is obviously just my own experience with it but the only thing that stopped me from immediately ordering one was the grip. I'm sure the machined or satin finish would have a better grip and if so then I would order one today.
I've now seen one or two pics of the machined finish but it would be nice to see pics of the machined and satin finishes side by side, I'm sure that would push me in one direction or another. @Atelier Durdan do you happen to have any available?
Either which way, thank you @Atelier Durdan and @Holyzeus for the opportunity to try this gem of a GEM, I have thoroughly enjoyed it.
Cheers
Marc
For perspective, I am a fan of GEM razors. I've either had or have had most modern GEMs (barring the elusive Rocnel SE-G...damn it!) and a handful of vintages (MMOC, 1912, ambassador/streamline, push button, Clog Pruf...and I'm sure I've missed one or two).
Just looking at and loading the razor you can see and feel the quality. On loading the blade the tolerances are tight, the blade almost clipped into place. As I think has already been said, the polish isn't wolfman quality and you can see marks, but it's decent. The head is slim and light, probably the most maneuverable GEM I've tried.
As a general rule I tend toward more efficient blade forward and generally heavy razors. That in itself shouldn't bode well based on previous comments on feel and clearly how light it is, but it's a nice looking one so have to give it a fair shout.
I thought I would get a baseline with the standard plate. This was a clear mistake, it was far too mild for myself. So much so that I had to go over areas multiple times to get the desired finish and even then it wasn't long lasting. On the plus side though, at least I know where I stand.
Lesson learnt, I moved on to the ++. This was significantly better, so much so that I didn't feel the need to try out the + plate. Very easy to find and maintain the angle (I actually imagine this is what a Henson feels like), and surprisingly efficient. Time and time again the shave was effortless, smooth and irritation free. I would have perhaps liked a little more blade feel but that's minor, the finish spoke for itself.
My main concern, the weight, was unfounded. This probably surprised me more than anything else. Usually when I use a light razor I tend to put more pressure down leading to irritation, and it takes a bit of concentration to stop myself. Not so with this one, as already mentioned, effortless and irritation free.
There's only one negative that I've come up against, and that's the handle. It's not the look, initially I wasn't hugely taken but it's grown on me. What I do have a slight issue with is the grip. A couple of times when I let the lather get a little out of control my grip on the handle was reduced, and it felt like it might slip. I'm not sure how it could be improved without pushing the look too far into just looking odd.
All of the above is obviously just my own experience with it but the only thing that stopped me from immediately ordering one was the grip. I'm sure the machined or satin finish would have a better grip and if so then I would order one today.
I've now seen one or two pics of the machined finish but it would be nice to see pics of the machined and satin finishes side by side, I'm sure that would push me in one direction or another. @Atelier Durdan do you happen to have any available?
Either which way, thank you @Atelier Durdan and @Holyzeus for the opportunity to try this gem of a GEM, I have thoroughly enjoyed it.
Cheers
Marc
Crossan
Forum GOD!
Augustin has kindly provided a couple of pics (in response to me contacting through the site a little while ago) in the satin finish along with a YouTube link of the machined. The pic and link was of the Le Maurice, but they look nice. My mind is almost made up, leaning toward the satin, I'll likely leave it to make the final decision until I box this one up and send it on...damn it I didn't need another razor
p.b
Forum GOD!
That’s the risk of these pass arounds
Masamune
Forum GOD!
@Atelier Durdan
Augustin can you confirm that the pass around razor is a production model not a prototype? I read on another forum that the gap has now been adjusted for the new razors to
.19
.25
.32
Originally you commented that the near zero gap would be the same for all three plates. I never measured the gaps when testing all the plates. Maybe @Crossan could make the comparison.
I still think I'd go for the + plate but would like to know before ordering.
Thanks
Augustin can you confirm that the pass around razor is a production model not a prototype? I read on another forum that the gap has now been adjusted for the new razors to
.19
.25
.32
Originally you commented that the near zero gap would be the same for all three plates. I never measured the gaps when testing all the plates. Maybe @Crossan could make the comparison.
I still think I'd go for the + plate but would like to know before ordering.
Thanks
Crossan
Forum GOD!
Ah sorry I only saw this this morning, it was already packed up and has been picked up. Obviously I'd be curious to know if it has been altered before sticking an order in as well.
Atelier Durdan
Forum GOD!
I confirm the GAPs are good:
basique : 0.19 mm Blade Exposure : 0 mm
medium : 0.25 mm Blade Exposure :+ 0.05 mm
superior : 0.32 mm Blade Exposure :+ 0.1 mm
basique : 0.19 mm Blade Exposure : 0 mm
medium : 0.25 mm Blade Exposure :+ 0.05 mm
superior : 0.32 mm Blade Exposure :+ 0.1 mm
Atelier Durdan
Forum GOD!
yes absolutely