My first shave with a SE

[msjones]

After using DE razors for a number of years, I bought a couple of Micromatics and gave one a whirl. It was a bullet tip handle flying wing. Loaded a coated gem razor from razorbladesandmore and away I went.

Three passes later I felt my face and it felt like I had dragged sandpaper across it. Red, sore and rough. Not good. So after waiting a couple of days to let my face heal I did a little researching, and with tips from this forum and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUG2B_-D0d4 I tried again. This time with totally different results! Not BBS, but I would say almost DFS. I'm still a little hesitant with it so I missed a few spots. I think loading the blade correctly from the tips in the video, and holding the razor slightly downward, instead of flat against my face, made a big difference. And no irritation. Pretty cool!

So after practicing with this one a few more times I'll move on to my clog pruf and then my open comb to see which one I like the best. Any more tips from you folks would certainly be appreciated.

 

[Eastman]

I just got my first se, a gem 1912 or something or other lol. It was the best shave I have had outside of my feather non folding ss. A closer shave than my mergress and in 2 passes. It was pretty efficient but very smooth. For $12!!!!! I love this razor. I will test it a few more times and I may be selling off my de razors for for se razors.

i guese I got lucky on my first try as I had no real idea on what I was doing. Just keep practicing the technique and get used to the different angle.

 

[retturn2blades]

I like the Clog Pruf better than the bullet tip. But could be more about the blade. Some guys observe that SE blades get better after the first shave.

 

[deoxy4]

I have tried a 1912, Junior and open comb micromatic. I prefer the 1912 and Junior. The 1912 is more aggressive than the Junior, but both shave very well.

 

[Lothar101]

I have a Gem Jr. that shaves well. Look forward to trying more of these razors from yesteryear!

 

[stvince71]

I like the Clog Pruf better than the bullet tip. But could be more about the blade. Some guys observe that SE blades get better after the first shave.

+1. From my experience, the SS Gems tend to be a little on the harsh side when it comes to the first shave. I had thrown in the same type of blade from 'razor blades and more' into my Damaskeene and experienced on of the harshest shave in a long time. Shave #2 on the other hand went silky smooth.

I also will say that the MMs tend to be a little more aggressive than others in the Gem family. A 1912 or G-Bar might've been the way to go for a first SE shave.

 

[Zagnut]

...Three passes later I felt my face and it felt like I had dragged sandpaper across it...

Yeah, that's about the thick of it until you get the knack. SEs give better shaves than DEs. (I'll say that definitively.) However, SEs have a real learning curve compared to DEs and it took me nearly a month of bad shaves to actually get the technique down.

I will agree with others here that the blades, particularly the stainless ones do get much smoother after an initial, harsh break-in shave. I don't know why, but they do. (As an added bonus, they also last forever. I've been using the same blade for a month now, flipping it after every use. If I can get five weeks out of it, then I can shave all year on a single 10-pack of SEs.)

Then you should try a 1912.

 

[msjones]

+1.
I also will say that the MMs tend to be a little more aggressive than others in the Gem family. A 1912 or G-Bar might've been the way to go for a first SE shave.

I guess I'm living on the edge! Anyway, my third shave now and things are going much smoother!

 

[HUF]

Yeah, that's about the thick of it until you get the knack. SEs give better shaves than DEs. (I'll say that definitively.) However, SEs have a real learning curve compared to DEs and it took me nearly a month of bad shaves to actually get the technique down.

I will agree with others here that the blades, particularly the stainless ones do get much smoother after an initial, harsh break-in shave. I don't know why, but they do. (As an added bonus, they also last forever. I've been using the same blade for a month now, flipping it after every use. If I can get five weeks out of it, then I can shave all year on a single 10-pack of SEs.)

Then you should try a 1912.

Do you shave everyday?

 

[dpittman70]

I recently purchased a GEM 1912. Through 2 shaves, I must say that I'm still learning. Had my two worst nicks in those two shaves. After watching the youtube video, I'm going to try again. Thanks for the heads up, msjones.

 

[Zagnut]

I probably average four times per week.

 

[razorx]

I don't experience the harshness others have noted from the SS GEM Blades in any of my SE razors.I can get up to 14 shaves from these blades,but the first shave's always the best,I'd take shave #1 every time if I could.

I can hear more of a higher pitched "tink" sound type of auditory feedback as a new blade cuts whiskers.

I shave every day.

 

[msjones]

Tried the Clog-Pruf today. Real nice shave. Just one weeper on my chin. Probably my fault. Looks like you have to keep your skin stretched a little tighter with a SE as opposed to DE. The SE certainly gets my jawline under my chin a lot smoother. I always have trouble getting that spot smooth.

 

[msjones]

Then you should try a 1912.

I picked up an Ever-ready recently, so I'll give that a try soon. Also bought 200 gem blades from connaughtshaving (maybe I'll have a few left over when my sons start shaving regularly), so I guess I gotta use them now! Maybe I'll pick up a 1912 on the bay if I find a good deal. My DEs might be in danger.

 

[Oscroft]

I don't experience the harshness others have noted from the SS GEM Blades in any of my SE razors.

Same here - I find them smooth right from the start.

 

[deoxy4]

To be clear, I think most of you guys are talking about SE coated stainless steel blades. I tried uncoated GEM stainless steel blades and thought the shaves were not impressive in the least. I would not shave with uncoated GEM stainless steel blades. YMMV.

 

[novitiate]

I just picked up a GEM FWBTMMW (flying wing bullet tip micro matic whatevs). I really like it and have been using CVS brand blades.

 

[dpittman70]

I recently purchased a GEM 1912. Through 2 shaves, I must say that I'm still learning. Had my two worst nicks in those two shaves. After watching the youtube video, I'm going to try again. Thanks for the heads up, msjones.

I tried the SE again today after taking some pointers from the video referenced above. It was a really nice shave. No nicks and a couple of weepers. Thanks again, msjones.

 

[bprendie]

I think for me, the SE was a very intuitive instrument to use, much more so than my first few rounds with a DE. The only counterintuitive part is just how light of a touch you need to have. Once you master the light touch, everything else simply falls into place. Best of luck with your SE journey!

 

[msjones]

So, after trying my flying wing and clog-pruf, I moved on to my open comb. Wow! That was like a close encounter of the third kind! It really shaved me closer than the first two razors, but still very comfortable and smooth. I'm glad I practiced with my other two razors first because you definitely want to have your technique and angle down with this one. It didn't bite me, but you could feel the blade more.

So right now I would have to say my favorite for every day is the clog-pruf. The open comb I will use when I don't shave for a couple of days and have a heavier beard.

I still have an Ever-ready razor to try as well. These SE's are pretty cool. I don't know why I waited so long to try them.