Picked-up my 1st single edge shavers

[bc9]

I stopped by a pair of (right next to ea other) antique stores while running errands today. Within 10 mins I was back in the car with a Gem Junior, Damaskeene & Micromatic.

OK, how do I shave with these??

[retiredguns]

Stop in at a Walgreens, CVS, etc.. and pick up some GEM super stainless blades. The shave itself comes pretty darn easy! The angle may be a little different, but you'll "get it" almost instantly due to the design of the razors.

I find I can alternate between DE and SE shaving without a thought.

[Pjotr]

I stopped by a pair of (right next to ea other) antique stores while running errands today. Within 10 mins I was back in the car with a Gem Junior, Damaskeene & Micromatic.

OK, how do I shave with these??

There is a Mr Guy video if you don't mind watching a half dressed male in front of a mirror with lots of water and foamy stuff. He's a member here. It's on Youtube. Search for mrguyrazors (I think). Get some blades. Go for the stainless ones to start with. The carbon steel ones need a bit of nursing to stop them rusting. Good score, but.... no pics no cigar!

[Salty O'Rourke]

I find that SE shaving is much more intuitive than DE - angle is more natural, for example. Prep is the same as with DE. The razors you found are all excellent shavers.

Check out MrGuy's micromatic videos (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUG2B_-D0d4) - they are a good primer on SE shaving, and a must if the micromatic you picked up is an open comb.

[bc9]

Stop in at a Walgreens, CVS, etc.. and pick up some GEM super stainless blades. The shave itself comes pretty darn easy! The angle may be a little different, but you'll "get it" almost instantly due to the design of the razors.

I find I can alternate between DE and SE shaving without a thought.

I picked-up blades at CVS a few months ago...figured I'd run into a single edge eventually...

[Pjotr]

By the way. Don't start with the Micromatic. Particularly if it's the Open Comb.

[mftoms59]

I stopped by a pair of (right next to ea other) antique stores while running errands today. Within 10 mins I was back in the car with a Gem Junior, Damaskeene & Micromatic.

OK, how do I shave with these??

Here you are:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUG2B_-D0d4&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnQ1Rk68ygw&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL

[insomniac]

By the way. Don't start with the Micromatic. Particularly if it's the Open Comb.

Maybe not the OC, but the Clog Pruf or Bullet-tip are pretty easy shavers.

[oc_in_fw]

welcome to the dark side- we have cookies

[bc9]

Thanks for all the links...I'll take a shot at it this morning...I like cookies...

[Marine Dad]

Welcome to the SE side ! The Damaskeene and Micromatic Open Comb are 2 of my favorites. :thumbup:

[ackvil]

Maybe not the OC, but the Clog Pruf or Bullet-tip are pretty easy shavers.

+1. The OC is the only one I can't use. All are great - and welcome to the SE club.

[bc9]

1st shave was with a Gem Junior...BBS on the cheeks with less passes then my DE's. I didn't do a good job on my neck, a little "grabby" on ATG with a little irritation. I'm just gonna have to work on my technique...not going to replace my DE's, but the Gems will find their way into the rotation for sure...

One question: Is there a significant difference in the brands of SE blades currently manufactured? I purchased mine at CVS, so these are my reference point.

[mftoms59]

1st shave was with a Gem Junior...BBS on the cheeks with less passes then my DE's. I didn't do a good job on my neck, a little "grabby" on ATG with a little irritation. I'm just gonna have to work on my technique...not going to replace my DE's, but the Gems will find their way into the rotation for sure...

One question: Is there a significant difference in the brands of SE blades currently manufactured? I purchased mine at CVS, so these are my reference point.

The CVS are made by the same company that makes the GEMS, TED PELLA and TREET, the biggest differences will be between Stainless Steel and Carbon Steel Blades.

[ackvil]

The CVS are made by the same company that makes the GEMS, TED PELLA and TREET, the biggest differences will be between Stainless Steel and Carbon Steel Blades.

My local CVS sells the same GEM blades that are sold at Walgreeen's.

[bc9]

My local CVS sells the same GEM blades that are sold at Walgreeen's.

I have the blades from CVS. Did my 3rd shave with the Junior this morning. BBS all around with no irritation.

I'm assuming the CVS blades are carbon steel, because after the 2nd shave it rusting. What is the normal care for the Blades? Should they be removed & dried after every shave? Would switching to a stainless blade avoid the rust? Which brands are stainless?

[bassmanlarry]

I've never used the Carbon Steel, but if they're rusting, they're probably Carbon. I've used the SS GEMS from Walgreens, and haven't had an issue with rusting. From what I understand, the carbon steel blades need to be removed from the razor and dried after each use and don't last as long as the stainless ones.

[drews50]

I use the CVS blades and have no problems with them. But I do remove and dry them after use. I just pat them dry.

Your second shave will be better. Listen to the razor. It will make a sound like scraping toast when at it's best.

[ackvil]

The SE blades at my CVS are stainless steel! Same package and produced by same company as the one I got at Walgreen's.

[bc9]

maybe a little plate loss inside the razor head is causing the rust? I'll have to look closely...

[shakin_jake]

I have the blades from CVS. Did my 3rd shave with the Junior this morning. BBS all around with no irritation.[/QUOTE


~~~That's more like it=:-)...my 1st SE shave was with a Gem 1912 Junior. No doubt, my best (and closest) safety razor shave ever


I'm assuming the CVS blades are carbon steel, because after the 2nd shave it rusting. What is the normal care for the Blades? Should they be removed & dried after every shave? Would switching to a stainless blade avoid the rust? Which brands are stainless?[/QUOTE]


~~~So far I have only used Treet carbon blades made here in the U.S. by GEM (American Safety Razor Co.) I remove the blade after shaving to rinse, wipe and clean the razor...the blade I clean by wiping with an alcohol soaked Q-tip using a stropping swipe around the blade's edge both sides, then that Q-tip is used to further clean the razor...then i bend that side of the Q-tip to notate it has been used so I can used the other end next time. Frugal yes, wasteful, no

I bought a pkg of stainless steel GEM SE blades but haven't tried them yet

FWIW with the Treet carbon blades, after using they will show signs of some metal degradation on the surface of the blade where it contacts the razor. This is normal IMO and not a problem as it looks to be more of a blemishing...with me wiping the edge with the alcohol cotton swab, I never see any rusting of the cutting edge. On average I use the blades twice then bin them. I'm sure I could get more shaves from them but I'm happy with two shaves:angel:


Best,


Jake
Reddick Fla.

[gearchow]

maybe a little plate loss inside the razor head is causing the rust? I'll have to look closely...

These razors are made from plated brass and don't rust where the plating is missing.

-jim

[stevodevo]

Thanks for this post... I also picked up a GEM OC Micromatic recently... guess it's *not* the best way to initiate my face to SE shaving?? maybe one day when I'm feeling risky...

[CyberJCM]

I'm curious guys,

I've only used the Gem SS blades with great success. I clean and dry razor and blade anyway.

But what are the differences to Carbon blades? Besides the rusting issue. Why would a person choose one over the other?

Thanks!

[bc9]

I'm curious guys,

I've only used the Gem SS blades with great success. I clean and dry razor and blade anyway.

But what are the differences to Carbon blades? Besides the rusting issue. Why would a person choose one over the other?

Thanks!

You beat me to that question...

[shakin_jake]

Thanks for this post... I also picked up a GEM OC Micromatic recently... guess it's *not* the best way to initiate my face to SE shaving?? maybe one day when I'm feeling risky...



~~~this is crazy talk. Although I have two OCMM's I obtained recently, one from a fellow B&B member, the other was part of an auction I won and had to be the filthiest razor I ever cleaned...but it's spotless after a lot of work:tongue_sm

Anyways, I've had both of these OCMM's yet never used either one then read your post. So, I had to not only shave with one of them, but right then and there (4 hours ago?)

There is nothing dangerous about shaving with an OCMM. I did a 3 pass w/touch ups and was rewarded with a BBS face. Anyone claiming their face was ripped up with this razor used too much pressure while using it. When I was finished with this shave (I used a new carbon Treet blade), I had no weepers, no nicks, no wounds of any kind. It's all about technique, or lack thereof


Best,


Jake
Reddick Fla.