SE: Now I know what the fuss is about!

[Gustav]

I was lucky enough to find a fellow B&B member who gave me a GEM Junior and some blades in exchange for a stick of Arlington shave soap that I could not use because it caused immense irritation on my face. Last night I took a break from my straights and gave this razor a spin and was absolutely amazed at how effortlessly it plowed through my stubble. The noise it made was also quite astonishing, it sounded as though I was removing quite a bit more than just stubble but the stunning thing was that it left my skin with no irritation. This marvelous little contraption puts my Merkur 34c to shame. I am also very fond of its antiquated look and I may very well keep this razor around for those times when I just want to do a quick sloppy shave and still get a DFS.

If like me you live in Europe, where do you get blades for these razors?

 

[OV1kenobi]

Erik:

Since I live in the States I can't tell you where to find quality SE blades in Europe, but no doubt, some others will help you in that regard.

Like you, my SE razors have put my DE razors to shame. I must confess, however, that I still like my ABC Empire and British NEW double-edged razors, but not as much as my GEM 1912 Damaskeene.

I really do need to purchase a British Ever-Ready Streamline. Maybe even another example of an English GEM/Ever-Ready SE razor since razors of British manufacture are often considered to be superior to their U.S. counterpart. Since you are in Europe you are in a good position to find a nice, English SE razor at a minimal shipping price. You might look to adding at least one other SE to your collection as it appears you have an affinity for these razors.

BTW, I have not used a straight in over thirty years, but I do have a nice Thiers-Issard "American Eagle" that my mother gifted to me about ten years ago. I have never used it, but I may one day. My SE razors have an acoustic quality when cutting whiskers that reminds me of my old Hoffritz razor from a long time ago.

Regards,

David

 

[Gustav]

Erik:

Since I live in the States I can't tell you where to find quality SE blades in Europe, but no doubt, some others will help you in that regard.

Like you, my SE razors have put my DE razors to shame. I must confess, however, that I still like my ABC Empire and British NEW double-edged razors, but not as much as my GEM 1912 Damaskeene.

I really do need to purchase a British Ever-Ready Streamline. Maybe even another example of an English GEM/Ever-Ready SE razor since razors of British manufacture are often considered to be superior to their U.S. counterpart. Since you are in Europe you are in a good position to find a nice, English SE razor at a minimal shipping price. You might look to adding at least one other SE to your collection as it appears you have an affinity for these razors.

BTW, I have not used a straight in over thirty years, but I do have a nice Thiers-Issard "American Eagle" that my mother gifted to me about ten years ago. I have never used it, but I may one day. My SE razors have an acoustic quality when cutting whiskers that reminds me of my old Hoffritz razor from a long time ago.

Regards,

David

Well, true to the spirit of this forum, a fellow B&B member already chimed in with some very useful information.

On the subject of straights, if you are tempted and would like to give it a try I can really recommend it. After one shave with an SE, it is of course too early to say what place it will have in my hard-ware rotation but straight shaving will most probably remain as my mainstay shaving method because it is just so much fun!

Compared to straight shaving, DE-shaving is about as inspiring as mowing the lawn, when you have acquired the skill. Shaving with straights just takes so much more time to learn and is in some respects it remains constantly challenging. Also the variation from one straight to another can be enormous compared to the difference between the Merkur and the Gilette that I used to shave with.

Last but not least, the people on the straights forum really pay particular attention to the newbies in a way that I did not notice whilst DE-shaving.

 

[Ciryandil]

Well, true to the spirit of this forum, a fellow B&B member already chimed in with some very useful information.

You mind sharing the information?
Was just searching for some SE blades

thanks

 

[Gustav]

Not at all, here you are:

http://shop.nassrasur.com/de/Rasierer-und-Klingen

About half way down the page, the only problem is that you would need to find some sort of backing plate to hold the blade in place. Perhaps one can recycle the device on a dull GEM blade.

 

[Ciryandil]

Thanks,
but I have to think about that, will look around some more first
it doesn't sound as a very comfortable solution

 

[ShavinBacon]

Can't help you with a place to buy blades but I love my SE's!!!!

 

[kg4ghn]

SEs are great.

I haven't touched any of my DEs in months, and used my EverReady 1912 exclusively for about a month and a half it is that good. The best part is I only paid $2 for it at an antique store!

I have since went back to using my straights, just because they are so much fun, and I like everything that goes with it, stropping, and I just ordered a coticule.

I will definitely keep my SE around to use sometimes.

 

[Gustav]

SEs are great.

I haven't touched any of my DEs in months, and used my EverReady 1912 exclusively for about a month and a half it is that good. The best part is I only paid $2 for it at an antique store!

I have since went back to using my straights, just because they are so much fun, and I like everything that goes with it, stropping, and I just ordered a coticule.

I will definitely keep my SE around to use sometimes.

+1 They are not as fun to shave with as straights but seem very handy to keep around for that time when you need to be quick.

How do injectors compare to DEs? The reason I am asking is that it seems a lot easier for me to get hold of injector razors and blades than SEs on this side of the atlantic.

 

[MrGuy]

+1 They are not as fun to shave with as straights but seem very handy to keep around for that time when you need to be quick.

How do injectors compare to DEs? The reason I am asking is that it seems a lot easier for me to get hold of injector razors and blades than SEs on this side of the atlantic.

As far as I'm concerned, Injectors are much closer to SE razors than DE. They are a little bit further down the learning curve (easier to learn) and even faster of a shave than SE when you are in a hurry.

 

[simon1]

As far as I'm concerned, Injectors are much closer to SE razors than DE. They are a little bit further down the learning curve (easier to learn) and even faster of a shave than SE when you are in a hurry.

+1 on that. I can shave just as fast with my Schick G1 injector as I can with a cartridge (less than 5 minutes) and get a better shave. Takes me a couple of minutes longer to get the same results with a SE.

Edit: just did this morning's shave with the injector, two passes and a bit of touch-up for a DFS...6 minutes.

 

[johnmrson]

I love my little 1912. I don't think it's given me anything but BBS shaves.