(11-16-2021, 05:41 PM)Grassy Wrote:

(11-16-2021, 10:03 AM)Old Sarge Wrote: Very nice! Classy Grassy strikes again! 

The Radio 1912 is a new one for me and I had to visit Mr. Google to learn a bit more. Not a lot out there on that razor. I sure like the look of that handle. The handle design is reminiscent of the unmentionable British "thing that shoots into outer space", except the knurling stops short of the bottom. Same two rings and rounded/domed bottom.

Yeah, not much info on the Radio. Made for a short time I believe it pre-dates the British Ever-Readys. This one came in a box marked Gem on  the outside and Ever-Ready on the inside (I know there was at least one other the same) They made Radio blades so I guess they thought they would use
the same for the razor for UK manufacturing before settling on Ever-Ready, and Gem for export, and Star for French export. 
If anyone has any better info I would be interested.

(11-16-2021, 07:57 PM)Old Sarge Wrote:

Tabac Tuesday!
Cold Water Shave w/ Hot Water Lather
Pre: Aloe Vera Glycerin Soap Face Wash, Noxzema Cream as Pre Shave
Razor: Gem Feather Weight
Blade: Treet Carbon (1st Use)
Brush: Jayaruh #403
Lather: Tabac, Face Lathered
Post: Osma Alum Block, Thayers Unscented Witch Hazel, Clubman Pinaud After Shave, Nivea Sensitive Balm

A successful two pass shave, though I have to admit what started out feeling like a smooth shave...didn't feel so smooth by the end. I had a couple of weepers that gave up the fight with a cold water rinse. I don't have enough experience to know if it is the blade, the FW razor and/or my technique that's the problem. The FW is becoming my arch nemesis. I'm thinking the next time I start a new SS PTFE blade that I need to do a full week of daily shaves with the FW and figure it out.

Planning to do two pass shaves daily to see how many uses I can get out of the Treet carbon blade. I think it would be considered a success if I can get five or more uses. Time well tell!

(11-16-2021, 07:57 PM)Old Sarge Wrote: The FW is becoming my arch nemesis. I'm thinking the next time I start a new SS PTFE blade that I need to do a full week of daily shaves with the FW and figure it out.

(11-16-2021, 09:32 PM)GAW9576 Wrote: That's odd. I really enjoy my Featherweight Deluxe. It almost always yields a great shave.

(11-17-2021, 12:16 AM)srqshaver Wrote:

(11-16-2021, 07:57 PM)Old Sarge Wrote: The FW is becoming my arch nemesis. I'm thinking the next time I start a new SS PTFE blade that I need to do a full week of daily shaves with the FW and figure it out.

You're not alone. My first ever GEM shave was with a Feathweight and it was absolutely terrible. I have had increasingly better shaves with various other GEM razors, including ones that are reportedly aggressive. My last GEM shave was with a 1912 and I ended up getting a DFS+ result. I need to revisit the Feathweight so I'll make it my shave tomorrow.

(11-16-2021, 09:32 PM)GAW9576 Wrote: That's odd. I really enjoy my Featherweight Deluxe. It almost always yields a great shave.

I've heard this from no less than a dozen people so I'm chalking up my poor first experience as beginners (lack of) luck. I'm sure tomorrow's shave will be much better. It can't be much worse unless I hit an artery or something.

(11-17-2021, 12:22 AM)Old Sarge Wrote:

(11-17-2021, 12:16 AM)srqshaver Wrote: You're not alone. My first ever GEM shave was with a Feathweight and it was absolutely terrible. I have had increasingly better shaves with various other GEM razors, including ones that are reportedly aggressive. My last GEM shave was with a 1912 and I ended up getting a DFS+ result. I need to revisit the Feathweight so I'll make it my shave tomorrow.

I've heard this from no less than a dozen people so I'm chalking up my poor first experience as beginners (lack of) luck. I'm sure tomorrow's shave will be much better. It can't be much worse unless I hit an artery or something.

My FW Brother!   Make sure to let us know how it goes.

I've not had much problems with any other razor than this one since I've gone to nearly daily shaves over the last two months. Nearly all of my problems are likely attributable to poor technique. Though, I'm not totally counting out the Treet carbon blade as a contributing factor.

(11-17-2021, 12:41 AM)GAW9576 Wrote:

(11-17-2021, 12:22 AM)Old Sarge Wrote: My FW Brother!   Make sure to let us know how it goes.

I've not had much problems with any other razor than this one since I've gone to nearly daily shaves over the last two months. Nearly all of my problems are likely attributable to poor technique. Though, I'm not totally counting out the Treet carbon blade as a contributing factor.

Just out of curiosity can you post a good picture of the top cap with the thumb tab. I'm just curious if it's a first or second Gen. Featherweight.

(11-17-2021, 01:18 AM)Old Sarge Wrote:

(11-17-2021, 12:41 AM)GAW9576 Wrote: Just out of curiosity can you post a good picture of the top cap with the thumb tab. I'm just curious if it's a first or second Gen. Featherweight.

Surprise...it's two different razors! It's me, not the razors! 

Both are first generation, with one of them being deluxe. It's got to be a thing with that model that I need to work on my technique with. I've said before that there is something about the squared off safety bar that feels different. But, I don't think that is the issue. By comparison, I didn't have any issues with the Heavy Flat Bottom, which I believe has the same head design as the second generation Featherweight.

My guess is that it has something to do with the ultra-flat top cap of the first generation. The HFB (second generation style head) has a crease on the top cap, thus I believe it might angle the blade differently. So, in thinking about it just now, perhaps I need to not ride the cap so much with the first generation head. 

If this is the only razor giving me grief lately, I'm doing OK. Maybe in a couple of weeks after I've gone through my Treet blade test and then another week to do a bit of unmentionable shaving...I'll do an entire week of first generation FW shaves, alternating between the two razors. It'll be fun, right?!?!   Thanks for your interest, Greg!