Single edge advice please!

[KcHighLife]

A good morning to you my fellow wet-shavers!

Although pretty new with posting around here, I am not a new wet-shaver. I have used DE's for years now. Still pretty new to straights but, I'm getting better!
I have run into a decent looking SE, nothing special but it cleaned up real well. Enough so that I have decided I want to give this one a try.
I have never shaved with a SE so, I would like to ask how I can make this shave a pleasant one...well, at least not an unpleasent one!
At times I prefer a very light lather (maybe a Burt's Bee or Casewell Massey) and a light razor ('51 Gillette Blk Tip or whatever I'm in the mood for). At other times I want a real close shave and prefer a nice creamy, thick lather (Proraso Cream, Taylor of Old Bond St, PDP, etc)as well as a very close shave (one of my vintage open combs or maybe one of my straights).
The SE looks as if it has a lot of bite like and Open Comb or a Tech. Is this a correct assumption? If that is a correct assumption, should I make sure to have a very thick and creamy lather?
Can I get away with one of the new single edge blades that I have around the house or should I seek out something more specific for shaving? Are there differences between a blade I have here (thickness?) and say a Feather blade?

I am giving the face a day or two of growth in anticipation!

Any advice from the SE users would be awesome!

Thanks in advance friends,
KC :thumbup1:

[drews50]

I would start by watching the Mr Guy micromatic video on YouTube. You didn't say which model SE razor you have. But the video will help regardless. Pictures are always helpful.

If the blades you have around the house were meant to be used in scrapers, DO NOT use then. Avoid the pain. Head to a drug store and buy the ones in the shaving department.

[KcHighLife]

Thank you very much for the tips! It does make sense what you said about the blades I have around too.
Any other advice?

[SmoovD]

Stretch your skin and keep the head flat with just enough pressure to keep the head on your face. I have also found that I am able to reduce the number of passes with an SE. Two passes gives me a DFS. A few touch-ups and BBS it is.

[Greyfox]

You are going to love that SE. It's a bit more aggressive than the DE.:thumbup1:

[KcHighLife]

I am glad that I posted the question because, I was about this close to using one of my new SE blades I had around instead of say a Treet blade or Personna.'
I am assuming everyone agrees I should make a purchase of these instead of using what I have around the house.
Anyone else have any pointers before I give it a whirl?

[Doodi1]

Light pressure and correct head angle are very important. It is different than DE shaving so there will be a learning curve. Have patience and you will have a great shave.

It might take a shave or two to get there, but its worth it.:001_smile

[Pjotr]

I like using the thickest, creamiest lather I've got. The SE with it's large head has a large contact surface with your face and I think you get an easier shave with a lather that provides a better "glide" and stays nice and wet throughout.

[Salty O'Rourke]

I agree with whipping up a thick, rich lather. The shave angle is different than you're used to with DE, but I find the SE angle much more intuitive; it won't take long to get the hang of it. The touch is the same as DE, very light without pressure. Listen closely - the SE will tell you when the angle is correct because at the proper angle the SE razor produces a very audilble shave - it really mows down the whiskers.

If the razor you have is indeed the open comb micromatic, take it slow and easy and you'll get a great shave. Don't let your mind wander or you might lose a lip...

[Pjotr]

.........at the proper angle the SE razor produces a very audilble shave......

This true but I've found that if it's too loud you're about to take some skin!

[stljeff]

I would start by watching the Mr Guy micromatic video on YouTube. You didn't say which model SE razor you have. But the video will help regardless. Pictures are always helpful.

If the blades you have around the house were meant to be used in scrapers, DO NOT use then. Avoid the pain. Head to a drug store and buy the ones in the shaving department.

+1 :thumbup1: The videos by Mr. Guy are really an invaluable tool in getting started with a SE razor.
__________
Jeff

[KcHighLife]

Thanks for all the help! To answer those that asked what the razor actually is. It is not an open combed razor at all. It is a GEM pushbutton with black handle. I believe this from the 60's? I have a few open combed SE GEMs in my collection but, I will see how the first few shaves go with a SE before I decide to obtain more for the rotation. I have around 20 DE or straights in the rotation now so, I hope it goes well so that I have an excuse to add more!
If anyone else has any thoughts please feel free to share.
I have watched a few of the Mr Guy videos on YouTube with the open combed Micromatic. I think I can handle it since I'm no stranger to wet shaving.