Maybe I'm not meant to be a Gemocrat? <sad>

[RichGem]

I have a couple of GEMs in my rotation which haven't gotten a lot of attention lately as I've been testing out new DE blades. I don't have a lot of GEM experience, but I have shaved enough with them to get an acceptable shave (tho I get a better one with a DE). Yesterday, a GEM finally came up in rotation, I pop in a Pella blade and proceed to have an uncomfortable shave. I finish with a DE. I assumed it was the soap and so used a new soap today, got a good lather, and proceeded to hamburger by neck and lower cheeks. Even in the early days of my DE career, I never had such a bloody shave.

 

[luvmysuper]

I know what you mean. Shifting from DE to SE and back is a challenge because the angles are all very different.
That's why I finally gave up on SE, it seemed as if every time one came up in rotation, I was a newbie all over again. By the time I got the angles down again, it was out of rotation.
Good Luck my friend.

 

[ctakim]

Wow, this is very relevant to my post just listed. I am in the same boat!!

 

[newboy]

I'm a NEW, Tech and slim shaver, and have been for a few years. It took me three shaves with a 1912 to get it right, and when I got it right, it is better than a DE shave.

I have thick dark stubble arond my mouth and chin, which always requires heavy touch ups and a still visible beard under/on the skin remains. The SE GEM shaves me closer here than any DE razor or blade combo when I finally made the SE work for me.

The only downside is my beard needs a really sharp blade, so I only get 3 shaves out of a ted pella blade, while I can get 4 or 5 out of a DE. Also I've found the SE needs more prep and the best lather you can whip up, so I only use the SE for when I want an extra close shave and have time to do it.

I don't have any problems adjusting to it though when it's it my rotation, as every DE has a different weight, shave speed, angle and blade that's best for me - therefore no extra hassle to fit a GEM in my rotation.

 

[spinyeel]

I find that I sometimes nick myself with d/e razors,but very rarely with Gem's. A classic case of YMMV.

 

[garyg]

I had trouble with the GEMs at first, but after resolving to use one for a week of learning it finally came to me and I still get a great shave from them. I attribute the slow uptake to never had a GEM back in the days, but did use Schicks & Fatboys in ancient times, so there wasn't the old muscle memory to go on. I do now break a GEM out every week or so, my problem is the blades don't seem to last when they sit for a week or so ..

 

[brianw]

I have never had a problem switching the angles... I can se where it could be a problem though ...I have lately been on a SE tear and DE's are gathering dust

 

[Uncle Shakey]

I work my rotation one razor for a week. That way the blade lasts longer and I get comfy with the razor. It only takes 4 months to go through the rotation but I'm shooting for 6.

 

[RichGem]

Well, day two... and I got a better shave; at least it was blood-free tho not entirely irritation free and not up to my usual standards. I think it helped that I switched from a Damskene to a Micromatic (closed comb)... the shave angle seemed a little easier to obtain. Altho, in truth, I probably should have skipped today's shave as my throat hasn't completely recovered from yesterday's horror movie.