Shield GEM Predator Ti (China)
![](https://i.postimg.cc/fW0yDnHz/IMG-0525.jpg)
I was tossing up for a while if I was going to buy the GEM variant in the Shield, but the crunch came when I got my hands on some Star blades, thank you I’d love to try one in the Predator. It is now common practice to mill the side off the handle post to permit it to pass through the slot in a GEM blade so not to be left out, Shield have followed the same pathway. Similarly to other machined GEM razors, the handle post is angled, allowing the fitted blade to approximate the angle of a fitted DE blade. Clearance has been machined in the plate and cap to accommodate the thick back portion of the GEM blade, but there is ample flat to clamp the blade positively. For the first time doing a review of a Shield razor, I am going to criticize the quality of the finish; this one is very average. It’s a sandblasted finish on the back of the cap, whereas there has at least been a poor attempt to polish the rest of the head. Exempt from the finish criticism is the handle, it is the usual high quality Shield finish. While the machining of the diamonds along the length of the handle are lightly cut, they look respectable, and I would be very surprised if they do not provide ample grip.
There’s little wonder that the seller of those Star blades suggested they would be suitable for a display, they were no good for shaving with. Two tries down the jaw line convinced me quite quickly that it was time to retire them and go back to the Personna blade. More paint scrapers, although the packaging clearly has them identified as shaving blades; my guess is they must have been poorly stored for a long period of time. What a pleasant razor the Predator is, Karve CB Level #D efficiency and well sorted positive blade. I found the offset angle of the blade to be shallower than some of the other GEM razors I’ve tried and much closer to what I like. Those sharp GEM blades provided a very smooth shave, it was certainly close and long lasting. This is one razor that I could live with: efficient, but not overpowering in any one area. Well worth a try
Blades Used –Star Personna
Material – Gr5 Titanium
Weight – 65.4g
Blade Tab - Covered
Head Width – 40.59mm
Handle Length – 90.00mm
Handle Diameter – 13.49mm
Availability – Shield Razors
Final Word – Very pleasant
![](https://i.postimg.cc/fW0yDnHz/IMG-0525.jpg)
I was tossing up for a while if I was going to buy the GEM variant in the Shield, but the crunch came when I got my hands on some Star blades, thank you I’d love to try one in the Predator. It is now common practice to mill the side off the handle post to permit it to pass through the slot in a GEM blade so not to be left out, Shield have followed the same pathway. Similarly to other machined GEM razors, the handle post is angled, allowing the fitted blade to approximate the angle of a fitted DE blade. Clearance has been machined in the plate and cap to accommodate the thick back portion of the GEM blade, but there is ample flat to clamp the blade positively. For the first time doing a review of a Shield razor, I am going to criticize the quality of the finish; this one is very average. It’s a sandblasted finish on the back of the cap, whereas there has at least been a poor attempt to polish the rest of the head. Exempt from the finish criticism is the handle, it is the usual high quality Shield finish. While the machining of the diamonds along the length of the handle are lightly cut, they look respectable, and I would be very surprised if they do not provide ample grip.
There’s little wonder that the seller of those Star blades suggested they would be suitable for a display, they were no good for shaving with. Two tries down the jaw line convinced me quite quickly that it was time to retire them and go back to the Personna blade. More paint scrapers, although the packaging clearly has them identified as shaving blades; my guess is they must have been poorly stored for a long period of time. What a pleasant razor the Predator is, Karve CB Level #D efficiency and well sorted positive blade. I found the offset angle of the blade to be shallower than some of the other GEM razors I’ve tried and much closer to what I like. Those sharp GEM blades provided a very smooth shave, it was certainly close and long lasting. This is one razor that I could live with: efficient, but not overpowering in any one area. Well worth a try
Blades Used –
Material – Gr5 Titanium
Weight – 65.4g
Blade Tab - Covered
Head Width – 40.59mm
Handle Length – 90.00mm
Handle Diameter – 13.49mm
Availability – Shield Razors
Final Word – Very pleasant