Closed Pass Around: Rocnel SE-G (GEM/FHS blade) razor - Finished

The Rocnel is now with @Bizzyberry
  1. sɐǝɹpu∀ / riverrun (ATG/TSR)
  2. Looney12345 (ATG/TSR)
  3. Mikey J (ATG)
  4. Mr_Smartepants (ATG/TSR)
  5. Mr Bigmem (ATG/TSR)
  6. p.b (ATG/TSR)
  7. Blademonkey (TSR)
  8. Barry Giddens (TSR)
  9. Luckypip (TSR)
  10. MPH (ATG/TSR)
  11. Bizzyberry (ATG/TSR)
  12. AndyMc133 (TSR)
  13. The Geordie Shaver (TSR)
  14. Glenn_Lee (TSR)
  15. shevsky (TSR)
  16. Burgundy (ATG)
  17. ManicDee (ATG)
  18. ajc347 (TSR)
  19. Godfather (ATG)
  20. You?
The list is open.
Legend: Waiting, Currently with, Completed Dropped out
 
Saturday 26th August 2017
SOTD 26 Aug.JPG
Pre Shave: Hot Shower + L'Oreal Pure Power Charcoal Face Wash and Proraso White
Razor: Rocnel SE-G (Pass around)
Blade: GEM PTFE (#1)
Brush: Plisson Pure Badger
Soap: L'occitane Cade Rich
Post: Alum Block, Cold water and Humphreys Witch Hazel
AS: Penhaligons Blenheim Bouquet

The Rocnel SE-G pass around arrived today, I had deliberately not shaved first thing today as I was hoping the Rocnel would arrive, as I had a number of gardening chores to do I decided to leave my shave until the evening.

The first challenge was getting the blade loaded, after loading the blade quite easily into the razor upon tightening the handle the blade was still loose. I then remembered that you are supposed to tighten the blade with the grub screw first and then tighten the handle. After doing this and then being happy that I could load the blade I then took the blade out to round off the the corners. Fortunately I had a sharpening stone for sharpening chisels etc. in the shed which was just the job to round the corners off. Thanks to @Blademonkey for this tip on rounding the corners which I decided might be a good move as after loading the blade earlier I could feel the corners and I had read a few reviews and SOTD posts where the sharp corners of the GEM blade had caused some issues.

So how did it shave? Fantastic, I took it really easy and seemed to find the angle almost straight away. The first pass on a day and half growth felt slightly tuggy but was cutting with ease, the second and third passes felt really smooth. I did need all three passes to get a really close shave as I felt that two passes were not enough, unlike with the Timeless DE razor I had the pleasure of trying recently, but this was the first shave. Oddly whilst applying the alum block I noticed a tiny weeper suddenly appear on my top lip but rubbing the alum over it and holding the alum for 10 sec soon stopped this. There was barely any sting from the alum and no post shave irritation.

One shave is not enough to get a real feel for this razor I think, but after just one shave I am already impressed. Thanks to @Paul and @riverrun for making this possible.
 
Monday 28th August

SOTD 28th Aug.JPG
Pre Shave: Hot Shower + L'Oreal Pure Power Charcoal Face Wash and Proraso Green
Razor: Rocnel SE-G (Pass around)
Blade: GEM PTFE (#2) (Modified by rounding the corners off)
Brush: Mason Pearson Super Badger
Cream: La Toja
Post: Alum Block, Cold water and Humphreys Witch Hazel
AS: Alcolado Glacial

Second shave with the Rocnel SE-G pass around, I managed an excellent two pass shave today, I stopped at two passes as I spotted a tiny weeper on my chin, but two passes were good enough. I must have taken NO PRESSURE too far yesterday as regular no pressure today worked fine and required only one pass on a day and half growth.

I am very impressed, the razor looks good and feels great in the hand but, I am already thinking why would I buy this razor when I have a 1912 ER and a few other Ever Ready and Gem SE Razors that all shave great.
 
Tuesday 29th August 2017
sotd 29th aug.JPG
Pre Shave: Hot Shower + L'Oreal Pure Power Charcoal Face Wash and Proraso Green
Razor: Rocnel SE-G (Pass around)
Blade: GEM PTFE (#3) (Modified by rounding the corners off)
Brush: Vie Long Horse Hair
Cream: Truefitt & Hill No. 10
Post: Alum Block, Cold water and Humphreys Witch Hazel
AS: Alcolado Glacial

Third shave with the Rocnel SE-G pass around, another nice two pass shave and no weepers this time, I think I am getting the hang of this razor. I must be getting more confident with the razor as it all felt quite relaxed but I found I was shaving more quickly too. The Vie Long brush may not be much to look at but it works great, some of the outer hairs are starting to go out of shape but apart from that it is a great little brush.
 
Wednesday 30th August 2017

sotd 30th aug.JPG

Pre Shave: Hot Shower + L'Oreal Pure Power Charcoal Face Wash and Proraso White
Razor: Rocnel SE-G (Pass around)
Blade: GEM PTFE (#4) (Modified by rounding the corners off)
Brush: Vulfix 404
Cream: Taylors of Old Bond Street - Jermyn Street
Post: Alum Block, Cold water and Humphreys Witch Hazel
AS: Nivea Soothing Balm

Fourth shave with the Rocnel SE-G pass around, yet again another nice two pass shave and still no weepers. There was some sting from the alum in places especially under my chin, but after a cold water rinse, and the post shave all was good. I may change the blade and try one without the corners rounded off just to see how it shaves.
 
Thursday 31st August 2017
Pre Shave: Hot Shower + L'Oreal Pure Power Charcoal Face Wash and Proraso White
Razor: Rocnel SE-G (Pass around)
Blade: GEM PTFE (#1)
Brush: Vulfix 404
Cream: Crabtree & Evelyn Moroccan Myrrh
Post: Alum Block, Cold water and Humphreys Witch Hazel
AS: Osma Balm

Fifth and final shave with the Rocnel SE-G, I put a fresh GEM blade in and I am pleased to report there were no injuries from the corners of the blade. I think you need to pay close attention to ensure the blade sits correctly in the head as the final tighten of the grub screw can move the blade sideways slightly which could leave one corner of the blade exposed. Once again only two passes needed.

No photo today as I already cleaned and boxed up the razor ready to post in the morning.

A big thankyou to @Paul and @riverrun for making this pass around possible. I have enjoyed using this razor very much but at the price it is not for me.
 
Arrived safely at the homestead today. That's the weekend shaves decided.

Richard
Enjoy!
  1. sɐǝɹpu∀ / riverrun (ATG/TSR)
  2. Looney12345 (ATG/TSR)
  3. Mikey J (ATG)
  4. Mr_Smartepants (ATG/TSR)
  5. Mr Bigmem (ATG/TSR)
  6. p.b (ATG/TSR)
  7. Blademonkey (TSR)
  8. Barry Giddens (TSR)
  9. Luckypip (TSR)
  10. MPH (ATG/TSR)
  11. Bizzyberry (ATG/TSR)
  12. AndyMc133 (TSR)
  13. The Geordie Shaver (TSR)
  14. Glenn_Lee (TSR)
  15. shevsky (TSR)
  16. Burgundy (ATG)
  17. ManicDee (ATG)
  18. ajc347 (TSR)
  19. Godfather (ATG)
  20. You?
The list is open.
Legend: Waiting, Currently with, Completed Dropped out
 
The razor is now with @shevsky
  1. sɐǝɹpu∀ / riverrun (ATG/TSR)
  2. Looney12345 (ATG/TSR)
  3. Mikey J (ATG)
  4. Mr_Smartepants (ATG/TSR)
  5. Mr Bigmem (ATG/TSR)
  6. p.b (ATG/TSR)
  7. Blademonkey (TSR)
  8. Barry Giddens (TSR)
  9. Luckypip (TSR)
  10. MPH (ATG/TSR)
  11. Bizzyberry (ATG/TSR)
  12. AndyMc133 (TSR)
  13. The Geordie Shaver (TSR)
  14. Glenn_Lee (TSR)
  15. shevsky (TSR)
  16. Burgundy (ATG)
  17. ManicDee (ATG)
  18. ajc347 (TSR)
  19. Godfather (ATG)
  20. You?
The list is open.
Legend: Waiting, Currently with, Completed Dropped out
 
I'm not the best at reviews; thought I would simply reflect on my time with the Rocnel.

I genuinely found it's form factor to be excellent. Looks great, felt great. Initially, a little surprised at the angle of the head. Packaging is really good too. Clearly a strong strategy in place. I must agree with previous reviewers, that for the price point, the blade loading is difficult. Didn't sustain any injuries, but even after watching the YouTube clips; it's just awkward. Or was for me.

Shave wise, I found it to be too efficient. Not necessarily aggressive, but keen. Having said that, I've only used Schick injectors for nearly 2 years, & lack match practice with a GEM blade/SE combo. So, it could well have been my technique. Some great advice out there about having the head/blade flush with the chops. That's the way to use this razor.

Not necessarily the razor for me. However, in the spirit of the Lending Pool, and TSR - enjoyed having a go. I do appreciate the engineering that has gone into it. For me, and my Yorkshire wallet - a few pound less, and a head that is easier to load - it could be more user friendly.

Thank you to Andreas & TSR for letting me have a go. Appreciated.

Regards, Richard
 
The Rocnel is now with @Manicdee
  1. sɐǝɹpu∀ / riverrun (ATG/TSR)
  2. Looney12345 (ATG/TSR)
  3. Mikey J (ATG)
  4. Mr_Smartepants (ATG/TSR)
  5. Mr Bigmem (ATG/TSR)
  6. p.b (ATG/TSR)
  7. Blademonkey (TSR)
  8. Barry Giddens (TSR)
  9. Luckypip (TSR)
  10. MPH (ATG/TSR)
  11. Bizzyberry (ATG/TSR)
  12. AndyMc133 (TSR)
  13. The Geordie Shaver (TSR)
  14. Glenn_Lee (TSR)
  15. shevsky (TSR)
  16. ManicDee (ATG)
  17. Burgundy (ATG)
  18. ajc347 (TSR)
  19. Godfather (ATG)
  20. You?
The list is open.
Legend: Waiting, Currently with, Completed Dropped out
 
An update to the list:

  1. sɐǝɹpu∀ / riverrun (ATG/TSR)
  2. Looney12345 (ATG/TSR)
  3. Mikey J (ATG)
  4. Mr_Smartepants (ATG/TSR)
  5. Mr Bigmem (ATG/TSR)
  6. p.b (ATG/TSR)
  7. Blademonkey (TSR)
  8. Barry Giddens (TSR)
  9. Luckypip (TSR)
  10. MPH (ATG/TSR)
  11. Bizzyberry (ATG/TSR)
  12. AndyMc133 (TSR)
  13. The Geordie Shaver (TSR)
  14. Glenn_Lee (TSR)
  15. shevsky (TSR)
  16. ManicDee (ATG)
  17. Burgundy (ATG)
  18. ajc347 (TSR)
  19. Godfather (ATG)
  20. You?
The list is open.
Legend: Waiting, Currently with, Completed Dropped out
 
The pass around is now finished.
Thanks for everyone for looking after the razor and your feedback.
  1. sɐǝɹpu∀ / riverrun (ATG/TSR)
  2. Looney12345 (ATG/TSR)
  3. Mikey J (ATG)
  4. Mr_Smartepants (ATG/TSR)
  5. Mr Bigmem (ATG/TSR)
  6. p.b (ATG/TSR)
  7. Blademonkey (TSR)
  8. Barry Giddens (TSR)
  9. Luckypip (TSR)
  10. MPH (ATG/TSR)
  11. Bizzyberry (ATG/TSR)
  12. AndyMc133 (TSR)
  13. The Geordie Shaver (TSR)
  14. Glenn_Lee (TSR)
  15. shevsky (TSR)
  16. ManicDee (ATG)
  17. Burgundy (ATG)
  18. ajc347 (TSR)
  19. Godfather (ATG)
The list is closed.
Legend: Waiting, Currently with, Completed Dropped out
 
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