Thread: Help identify quality of these blades

I had a pickup this afternoon.

These are vintage SE blades. As near as I can compare from finding a guide on the subject, the nearest SE blades that physically compare to them are the GEM type blades. They fit in the SE razor just fine.

Currently, some of the blades are slight corroded, though, not at the blade edge(in the ones I've seen so far). Should be ok to shave with, yeh?

My question is what sort of shave quality should I expect? Sharpness on a 1 to 5 scale? Etc.

I've never shaved with an SE or DE, but $10 for about 60 blades, a nice Gillette DE and a GEM Micromatic SE, I was sold. Keep on in the vehicle for road dry shaves?

Thanks guys.

You did good for $10.00,,,I don't know what to say about the SE blades, never used one, but the DE razor loks great & I would load it with some sample packs until you find the ones you like.

Originally Posted by Hirlau

You did good for $10.00,,,I don't know what to say about the SE blades, never used one, but the DE razor loks great & I would load it with some sample packs until you find the ones you like.

Point this blind man in the right direction. Otherwise, I'm going to have to hunt down some Feather DE blades(sharpness 4.5 out of 5 or so I've read).

One guy at the 'tique mill had an EverReady SE, gold plated in mint condition. Couldn't bring myself to pay the $33 after my $10 deal. Nother guy had a mint Gillette DE in original box for $10 which I passed by. Why? I know its there for my taking. Was there when I bought my first two straights from him back in Aug/Sept(?).

I've been avoiding the one antique place that I know has 15-20 straights, several DE/SEs some in cases and other shaving-related stuffs. I may have to make the trip with limited cash, but to look for stones. HAD the new RAD.

First if there is a mint Gillette still in the box for $10.00,,,better snatch it !!
There are several vendors that sell DE blade sample packs & I buy from them all,,,so I don't want to single out just one vendor. The Feathers are top of the line, but my main everyday blade is Sharks. Some don't like them , but they are good for me & cheap.

Originally Posted by Siguy

Point this blind man in the right direction. Otherwise, I'm going to have to hunt down some Feather DE blades(sharpness 4.5 out of 5 or so I've read).

One guy at the 'tique mill had an EverReady SE, gold plated in mint condition. Couldn't bring myself to pay the $33 after my $10 deal. Nother guy had a mint Gillette DE in original box for $10 which I passed by. Why? I know its there for my taking. Was there when I bought my first two straights from him back in Aug/Sept(?).

I've been avoiding the one antique place that I know has 15-20 straights, several DE/SEs some in cases and other shaving-related stuffs. I may have to make the trip with limited cash, but to look for stones. HAD the new RAD.

PM your mailing addy,will send some feathers.

I prefer the Feather de blades but the Sharks perform pretty darn well in the Tech. I have a Gem micromatic bullet tip like that Micromatic you have there. I've used Gem SE blades in the Micromatic but it just has a 'strange, different' feel compared to the Gillete. The Micromatic kinda vibrates like a tuning fork or sings as it cuts you can say.

Originally Posted by HaiKarate

I prefer the Feather de blades but the Sharks perform pretty darn well in the Tech. I have a Gem micromatic bullet tip like that Micromatic you have there. I've used Gem SE blades in the Micromatic but it just has a 'strange, different' feel compared to the Gillete. The Micromatic kinda vibrates like a tuning fork or sings as it cuts you can say.

You know. My facial hair just isn't growing fast enough during certain period of time(the throws of *AD). Like when I pick up new stuff. Can't shave the legs. The soccer kids and co-coach would make fun of me.... Hmmm...

btw-took the Blue Magic to both and wow. They are quite shiney and the plating is pretty solidly on the DE. Should've shined em before the photo. Oh well.

I'm not familiar with that brand of blades, but based on the name, they must have been meant for shaving, so I there is not corrosion near the edge, I'd say go for it.

The Gillette Tech is one of my favorites. If your beard isn't too tough, it works great. If your beard is tough, you can put a shim in it, and it still works great!

The MicroMatic appears to have an open comb rather than a safety bar? If so, it's a pretty aggressive razor, so you don't want to try a dry shave with it. They are awesome razors, but demand a little respect.

They both appear to be in good shape, so either one of them is worth the $10!

I would recommend getting a sample pack of DE blades and start off with the gillette tech. It's a very mild razor which makes it a good starter if you're new to safety razors. The micromatic is pretty aggressive, mix that with unknown vintage blades and it could be bad. Nice haul. Do t go crazy trying to polish the Gillette. That gold comes off pretty easily.

Thanks for everyone's input.

I did a 2nd shave with the Micromatic, the first being yesterday.

I'm going to say the Hygiene blades are good for no more than 4 passes, then they're junk. Basically, I got one shave out of one blade.

I might change my mind on that, but I'm pretty sure my technique was righteous.