“The Magnificent SEven” Newbie SE Razor Pass/PIF

[linty1]

This is a very interesting read, it's like a little novel of the journey of a SE, love the pics!

[TheVez2]

Excellent. First time checking in since I got home. Glad it is still moving along. Thanks guys, love to see this razor's progress.

[BatsonBC]

Awesome thread!!!

[acesn8s]

I wanted to add two too many pictures, so enjoy!

Attachment 232899 Attachment 232900

That's a garbage plate, W Cola (Wegman's house brand), Genesee 12 Horse Ale, and some meat-based hot sauce. Yum!

I'll be mailing the razor out tomorrow morning!

Nick Tahou's? Spent my first 11 years in Fairport, my dad and grandpa worked for Kodak. My uncle and his middle son are both in the RPD.

Very cool PIF. Reminds me of the traveling journals you see on the fountain pen forums. I look forward to following this thread for the next few weeks.

[cosmicdoom]

i'm going to get the push button out in the mail tomorrow.

[CiiscoCst]

Hello im Cisco, newest newb here.

I just bought a Gem SE in excellent condition, was shaving with a Gillette DE, for almost a year now. I actually think it either sucks or im using it wrong. Get a few nicks everytime. Any other options besides the persona blades? I think buying blades for a DE is way cheaper!

[Snargle]

Hello im Cisco, newest newb here.

I just bought a Gem SE in excellent condition, was shaving with a Gillette DE, for almost a year now. I actually think it either sucks or im using it wrong. Get a few nicks everytime. Any other options besides the persona blades? I think buying blades for a DE is way cheaper!

Welcome aboard, Cisco!

An SE razor requires a slightly different technique from a DE. The angle of the top of the razor to your face should be almost zero; that is, almost flat against your face. If you hold it like a DE, you'll tear yourself up. Be careful of pressure, also. A light touch and the correct angle should give you a smooth, very efficient shave.

It's true that SE blades are slightly more expensive than DE blades, but SE blades should last considerably longer (usually about twice as long) due to greater thickness and rigidity.

Keep working at it, make sure you have a good lather, and watch your angle and pressure. You'll be getting fine shaves in short order!

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Addition: Make sure you're using SE blades intended for shaving, not hardware store blades for scraping paint...there's a big difference!

[pezhore]

Nick Tahou's? Spent my first 11 years in Fairport, my dad and grandpa worked for Kodak. My uncle and his middle son are both in the RPD.

Very cool PIF. Reminds me of the traveling journals you see on the fountain pen forums. I look forward to following this thread for the next few weeks.

Unfortunately, I didn't get that particular garbage plate from Nick's, rather from Fairport Hots (it was closer).

[CiiscoCst]

Yep, today i tried it out again but this time i showered, immediatly dried myself up and applied some "the art of shaving" Pre-Shave Oil, and then the lather and carefully flattened out the razor a little closer to my face and just nicked myself 3 times. Better than 7, Jesus! So far the blades do seem to last awhile but i think its still more economical to buy DE razors, theres deals out there like $15 bucks for 100 DE blades. Ive seen some as low as $8 for 100 on amazon. Compared to $4 for 10 GEM persona blades......by the time ive got this technique down and use it for a while, I still might think its cheaper to use DE razors.

[Timo]

Keep me in mind for the next journey

[cosmicdoom]

Ok, guys, sorry I dragged my feet getting the razor in the mail, but I did send it out a few days ago. It basically converted me to SE shaving exclusively.

This is a statue of King Gambrinus, the patron saint of beer, which was situated above the main entrance to the massive August Wagner brewery in the Columbus Brewery District before Prohibition. When this area of Columbus underwent a revitalization in the late 1970s they rescued this statue from storage, the building it once adorned long since demolished, and put it back up in the brewery district.

[cosmicdoom]

This is what the Statue and Brewery looked like before being demolished.

[desertcat]

Ok, guys, sorry I dragged my feet getting the razor in the mail, but I did send it out a few days ago.

And it has arrived to me in great condition. A review and further photographs will be coming shortly.

[TheVez2]

Excellent pictures. Glad to see this moving along nicely. Thanks Guys.

[desertcat]

First shave with the pushbutton yesterday. Got nipped a couple of times--it was a more aggressive shave than I'm used to, but I imagine further technique adjustments will eliminate the bloodletting. I also wonder if I should try fewer passes--maybe WTG and ATG instead of the usual 3-pass. Definitely feel a difference in the blade quality--that rigidity really translates to less forgiveness in blade angle. Anyway, enjoyed the shave despite the alum block burn, look forward to further technique improvements.

The razor and I will go sight-seeing when the weather improves--we're just having a gray, blustery day today.

[valleyrider]

The razor and I will go sight-seeing when the weather improves--we're just having a gray, blustery day today.

Those are some of the best days for taking pictures!

[CiiscoCst]

JUST TO ADD so its been alot of experimenting with different shave soaps, oils and creams. I rencently tried out this really thick shea shave cream and i was able to finally shave without one weeper or nick. GOOD GAWD...also by doing lots of homework on this GEM SE, I found that the actual Gem razor blades sold at CVS or Walgreens are not the way to go. Ted Pella blades should be used instead. Since im a newbie i have not had the nice oppurtunity to try out a couple, i really at this point dont want to spend anymore money that i might regret on this GEM SE. I had far less asking, experimenting and reading to do to for my Gillette DE. Getting good blades for those is easy, no internet needed.

Yep, today i tried it out again but this time i showered, immediatly dried myself up and applied some "the art of shaving" Pre-Shave Oil, and then the lather and carefully flattened out the razor a little closer to my face and just nicked myself 3 times. Better than 7, Jesus! So far the blades do seem to last awhile but i think its still more economical to buy DE razors, theres deals out there like $15 bucks for 100 DE blades. Ive seen some as low as $8 for 100 on amazon. Compared to $4 for 10 GEM persona blades......by the time ive got this technique down and use it for a while, I still might think its cheaper to use DE razors.

[TheVez2]

...also by doing lots of homework on this GEM SE, I found that the actual Gem razor blades sold at CVS or Walgreens are not the way to go. Ted Pella blades should be used instead.

Ted Pella blades are the same as the blades that come from Walgreens. They are both stainless GEM Personnas. The difference is, the Pellas are in bulk, with no dispenser and are cheaper. The CVS blades are nice, still Personnas, but not stainless. Not quite as smooth as the stainless ones. And they do need to be wiped dry to keep them from rusting. But, they are an acceptable blade. It is the SE blade I started with and still stock up on them when I find them on sale.

As a reminder, the blades I shipped out to the Magnificent SEven for the Pushbutton were Ted Pella blades.

[CiiscoCst]

Yes just learned that today that they are the same blades, HoosierTrooper posted something very informative detailing alot in a Single Edge Blade Guide. I apologize for my slothfullness but learning where and how to navigate to find info took me a little time. Today is the first time ive spent alot of time on this site. Before was just 5-10 min tops at a time. Well im going to try out as many different blades as i can and if i still dont like the GEM i may PIF. I did recently have some success with a very thick shave cream, but id rather have a razor that will do the job no matter what lather with and PIF it to people who want to try it out.

[CiiscoCst]

Glad I could bring this all the way to the west coast! depending on when it gets here I may try to take it over to the beach for the picture so it truely goes coast to coast.

If i was elligible id take it to the Golden Gate or Bay Bridge i have views of both from my home.