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

It does, but my 1912s don't need that procedure - just saying :p
For sure, and much easier. I think this and the Rocnel halved DE are about the only safety razors I've got where the blade positioning is via an horizontal free float, without stops or references.

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The razor is now with @Mr_Smartepants...
  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. Barry Giddens (TSR)
  8. Blademonkey (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. You?
The list is open.
Legend: Waiting, Currently with, Completed
 
The adventures of @Mr_Smartepants with the Rocnel....


OK, I've had one shave with the Rocnel-G and that's one shave too many.
Worst
Shave
EVER!


My neck is on fire!
:(

I made sure to use products that I've used many times so I know what to expect. Fewer variables.
There's a few things that could have contributed to the awful shave.
First, the razor is an open-comb, and has a really large blade gap with quite a lot of blade exposure (gap & exposure are not the same thing).

Second, when loading the blade there is a potential for the blade to be twisted and impact the cutting edge on the "baseplate". This potential is remote though because of the enormous blade gap. This potential exists with nearly every razor that uses a side-loading method (Schick injectors...) and I've seen personally how blades can have the cutting edge 'rounded' by running the edge against part of the razor.

Third, there are no "blade stops" to protect your skin from the blade corners (the sharp 90 degree edges).

Lastly, the "top-cap" is rounded, which makes finding the ideal angle a challenge. I've included photos comparing the Rocnel with the Blackland Sabre. The Sabre has a completely flat "top-cap" which helps in finding the right blade angle, just like the vintage SE razors.

The guys at Rocnel sure do rock the boat when it comes to razor design, always coming up with unique ideas. But sometimes unique doesn't equal good.
A great razor inspires confidence, but for me this razor incites fear.
Thanks for the opportunity, but I'm ready to move this on to the next victim. :D
 
The Rocnel is now with @Mr Bigmem:

  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. Barry Giddens (TSR)
  8. Blademonkey (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. You?
The list is open.
Legend: Waiting, Currently with, Completed
 
The razor is now with @p.b
  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. Barry Giddens (TSR)
  8. Blademonkey (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. You?
The list is open.
Legend: Waiting, Currently with, Completed
 
I received the razor today and will have my first shave with it in the morning and leave my first feelings about it.
Thanks to @Paul for the generous loan to the lending pool and also to @riverrun for his administration.
:) P.
NO PRESSURE.. Ride the cap... 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. You?
The list is open.
Legend: Waiting, Currently with, Completed
 
image.jpg I had my first shave with the Rocnel SE-G this morning and for a first shave with what I would consider to be a quite aggressive razor wasn't too bad, I say aggressive because the only other modern Gem type razor is my Blackland Sabre and it is certanly more aggressive than that, imo.

First thing to do was insert a blade, I used a Gem SS blade, I found this more difficult than it should be in any razor. On my first attempt the blade refused to fully go in and got stuck, I had to yank it out and put in the other way around, the second time it just slipped in.
Without any guides on the sides you have to make sure you have the blade centered properly, so with glasses on I performed this task relitively easily, I pinched up the grub screw and put on the handle.

Looking at the razor with the blade inserted it thought this is one fugly razor with the spine of the blade hanging out of the back, beautiful it is not, again ,this is of course only my opinion , I am only comparing it to my Sabre which I think is a very beautiful razor indeed.

The shave, I lathered up with some quality shaving soap (P.160 NOS) and began the shave, riding the cap much the same as I would do with any other Gem bladed razor and I noticed a lot of blade feel and the comb felt somewhat uncomfortable, I was just using the weight of the razor do the work, no pressure from my hand at all.
On the first pass I picked up two 3mm deep scratches / cuts on my cheek and a few spots of blood appeared here and there, after checking the blade had not shifted (it had not) I carried on and was smooth skinned after three passes.
I had that tingly skin feeling you tend to get if you've over done a shave which calmed down with the application of som BBA post shave balm but even after a few hours my skin still felt a little raw although apart from the two small scratches looked normal.

I shall try again tomorrow using a blade I love and know is skin friendly, the Pal Super carbon blade and see if this changes things.

It was only my first shave so things could turn out to be better as I get to grips with this razor. I will have a weeks worth of shaves with it (unless bad things happen) and get back to you all with my thoughts on this razor with a few shaves under my belt. :) P.
 
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Two thoughts, Paul:
The razor is made from stainless steel and head-heavy, so the weight of the razor might already give too much pressure.
When I say 'NO PRESSURE'... OK.. I'll shut up. :rolleyes:
Secondly, if the comb feels uncomfortable your angle might be off. Ride the cap a bit more. The comb is a safety feature, not a line of contact. That's how I approached the razor. Your Angle May Vary...
 
@riverrun. The Rocnel scares me! Could you please remove me from the list. Quickly! :eek:. Thanks Andreas.
I can, but you'll be missing some great shaves. With NO PRESSURE and the (easy to find) correct angle you'd have some great shaves.
What's to be feared? What's the worst that can happen? Are you a man or a mouse?
Alright then... :p
  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. You?
The list is open.
Legend: Waiting, Currently with, Completed Dropped out
 
I can, but you'll be missing some great shaves. With NO PRESSURE and the (easy to find) correct angle you'd have some great shaves.
What's to be feared? What's the worst that can happen? Are you a man or a mouse?
Alright then... :p
  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. You?
The list is open.
Legend: Waiting, Currently with, Completed Dropped out
A mouse by the looks of things.
 
A mouse by the looks of things.
Is that a chicken in your avatar?
rofl.gif
 
Two thoughts, Paul:
The razor is made from stainless steel and head-heavy, so the weight of the razor might already give too much pressure.
When I say 'NO PRESSURE'... OK.. I'll shut up. :rolleyes:
Secondly, if the comb feels uncomfortable your angle might be off. Ride the cap a bit more. The comb is a safety feature, not a line of contact. That's how I approached the razor. Your Angle May Vary...
Ok , thanks. Will try. P.
 
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