Atelier Durdan: Vestige (GEM Razor)

[MPF9]

Sadly, I can't compare it to the ER1912 or vintages of that era. However, I can give it a similar shave in feel to a GEM Bullet Tip or even to a slightly lesser degree the GEM push-button. I have the + plate and I don't consider it nowhere near aggressive. Blade reveal is minimal but, it actually offers an effective cutting ability that is closer to a Post War Tech. Smooth and comfortable but, still on the milder side of things. If a higher rate of efficiency is your game, this particular size gap will leave you lacking for more. If you're familiar with the Clog-Pruf and even the MMOC, the Vestige razor isn't even remotely close to them in this configuration. Perhaps the ++ & +++ plates may get one there but, I cannot say with certainty that it will. From what I have read on multiple shave forums, the most aggressive Vestige set up still falls short of the MMOC quite considerably. I can neither prove nor disprove that statement.

Sorry that I could not give you a more concise or definitive answer to your question.

Thanks for your detailed response, as I have got rid of both the Bullet Tip and Push Button as too mild, I think the Vestige is not for me.

 

[p.b]

Mike, I think you’d like the most aggressive plate, it’s like a clog pruf

Pass Around - Vestige Gem passaround

Some machining marks visible so I’d presume this is the basic polish. If that’s the case I’d personally go for machined or save up longer for the full-on Wolfman treatment. Three plates: no mark, + and ++. I’ll start with the + tomorrow and a fresh GEM blade.

www.atgshaving.com

 

[Str8Mug]

^^^^^^^^^^^Suspect.

 

[Str8Mug]

Smooth & mild like shave for an easy 3 passer plus a touch up pass. Good enough for me.

Cheers everyone….

 

[coolrunnings]

Sadly, I can't compare it to the ER1912 or vintages of that era. However, I can give it a similar shave in feel to a GEM Bullet Tip or even to a slightly lesser degree the GEM push-button. I have the + plate and I don't consider it nowhere near aggressive. Blade reveal is minimal but, it actually offers an effective cutting ability that is closer to a Post War Tech. Smooth and comfortable but, still on the milder side of things. If a higher rate of efficiency is your game, this particular size gap will leave you lacking for more. If you're familiar with the Clog-Pruf and even the MMOC, the Vestige razor isn't even remotely close to them in this configuration. Perhaps the ++ & +++ plates may get one there but, I cannot say with certainty that it will. From what I have read on multiple shave forums, the most aggressive Vestige set up still falls short of the MMOC quite considerably. I can neither prove nor disprove that statement.

Sorry that I could not give you a more concise or definitive answer to your question.

The Vestige +++ is a beautiful shaver and so efficient. @Str8Mug , you would love it.

 

[Str8Mug]

A fabulous shave from the Vestige this morning. Over the time I’ve had it, I’ve adjusted my technique with it and I firmly believe that though it has a mild feel to it, the shave efficiency with the + plate is actually better than I initially realized or experienced over those first 10-12 shaves. I probably have about 35-40 shaves in with it since purchasing and as I stated just prior, the shaves have been simply fantastic over just a slight tweak in shave angle with the head being more flat in contact with the skin while going with a more subdued approach in slower and more longer length of shave stroke. I would go shorter strokes with just enough angle where I believed the blades edge from the GEM blade engaged in cutting the whiskers and just went from there. For me it all changed when I went from a sort of neutral/cap position to an almost a flat against skin some time back that changed how this razor tackles the assignment. Truly fantastic shaves ever since. Would I like a bit more blade feel or aggression from the Vestige, sure however, as is this thing really does perform very well and the comfort level with ease of use is still very high indeed. Great razor.