I got my first SE for Christmas...now what?

**shinyribs** · 12-28-2011, 04:28 AM

My parents surprised me with this beauty for Christmas.It is a Gem Glog Pruf.The case is a little rough,but it has all the original blades and paperwork still in it.I really liked the little note apologizing for their(Gem's) inability to source brass for the blade case and how they added a reversible blade for the lack thereof.I suppose that dates this razor to around the time of the War considering the shortage of metal.Maybe my brain is warped(read: i KNOW my brain IS warped)but that was one of the coolest things i have seen in a while.

Anyway,I read on here that blades were available from Walgreens.Got 'em.But,I'd like to get this thing cleaned up before using it.It appears to be brass,but I'm sure it is probably just plated.I am looking for info on how to get her cleaned up without damaging my new prize.Any info would be greatly appreciated. Oh yeah,info on actually using it would be nice too!

I apologize for the junky picture.I had a time getting a pic below 5MB

And here she is.....oooooh....aaaaaah......
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**qwkdtsn** · 12-28-2011, 04:36 AM

Beauty! I would use it as-is but I like patina.... Maybe soak it in a little isopropyl alcohol to make sure it's sterilized before installing a blade. I have never used an SE razor but I did see this video and it seems like he knows what he is doing when it comes to installing a blade.

Micromatic Tips - YouTube

**1OldGI** · 12-28-2011, 05:23 AM

Congrats on the new toy. My very first real razor and the one that started this madness that ultimately led me to straight razors was a similar Gem Micromatic. To clean it up, all you will need is a can of Scrubbing Bubbles (or similar anti bacterial cleaner), an old toothbrush, and (optional) a metal polish product. I normally use Never Dull, it's like a big can of cotton soaked in some stuff that takes tarnish off of metal. You just pull off a wad of cotton and rub the area down then polish it with a lint free cloth (or a piece of toilet paper.)

So once you've got all your stuff. Open the razor up, put it in the sink and spray both sides and the top with the Scrubbing Bubbles. Let it sit and fizz until the bubbles are gone. Scrub the smaller hard to get to areas with the tooth brush. Repeat this process a couple times. Rinse the entire razor in super hot water and dry thoroughly. At this point your razor is disinfected. You can stop here or go for shiny. If you go for shiny apply the Never Dull let the razor dry for a few minutes and polish with a lint free cloth or piece of toilet paper. Repeat a couple times if desired. Rinse with really hot water, thoroughly dry. You should now have a very clean, very shiny razor. Load with a fresh blade and let the psychosis begin! Good luck.

**shinyribs** · 12-28-2011, 08:05 AM

Thanks for the link and the info guys.Would it be a bad idea to put it on a buffing wheel,or is the plating too sensitive for that?I really would like to shine it up,as much as i do appreciate patina myself,i just want this particular piece to gleam. Thanks again!

**PhatMan** · 12-28-2011, 09:36 AM

ShinyRibs,

I would stick to using mild metal polishes applied by hand

I have found the Gem Micromatic ClogPruf to be a very fine shaving razor

For me, all my Gem/Star/EverReady SEs shave superbly with the GEM PTFE Coated stainless blades (available from Ted Pella and EMS and others).

If you have difficulty getting good SE blades, and don't mind ordering from abroad, Connaught Shaving here in the UK has them:

GEM Stainless Coated Single Edge Razor Blades

Good shaving with your ClogPruf

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

**thebigspendur** · 12-28-2011, 04:39 PM

I would stay away from any power tool with plate. it's very thin and can be easily taken off. Just hand polishing should do the job assuming the plate is still there and it's in good shape.

**shinyribs** · 12-29-2011, 04:34 AM

Ok,hand polishing it is.Thanks for the warning!

I used it tonight with the Gem blades that Walgreens sells.When i made my first pass i double checked to see if i had installed a blade.It was so smooth feeling that i couldnt feel a thing!I really dont see how people nick themselves with these things.It shaved ok,but i had to go back over with my str8.Could be all my fault,could need better blades.All in all it felt good to shave my something that was a gift.I enjoyed it

**medicevans** · 12-29-2011, 04:49 AM

+10 on scrubbing bubbles followed up with brasso. It made my clog pruf shine like new.

**shinyribs** · 12-30-2011, 04:39 AM

Holy razor burn Batman! Everything seemed ok when i used the Gem last night.But when i got up this morning to wash my face it was tender,i looked and i had the first case of razor burn in my life!I have had pink cheeks directly after shaving before,but never woke up the next morning with red cheeks!Of course I also decided to go on a marathon run(little over 200 miles) on the motorcycle today and the helmet rubbing my face did me no good.I really thought this would be easier to learn than my straights.Maybe it will only serve as touch up duty

**WillN** · 12-30-2011, 12:41 PM

Yep!! Micromatics have that reputation and can really scrape the fool out of your face. You have to put the face of the head flat or almost flat on your face and NO PRESSURE. It is a different feel and a different shave with those razors.

If you used a vintage blade, I would suggest not doing that again and go and get a new one, try CVS in the razor section or another local pharmacy. You can go to The Shave Den and buy a pack of 5 from thier store, they are the Ted Pella blades.

Don't give up yet, it really is a good shave after you learn the tricks.

Will N.

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