Thread: First try with a Micromatic

Originally Posted by Gasman

Just got mine in the mail today for the 2nd place winner of the monthly give-away. Hope to give it a try in the next few days.
Attachment 275903

What is the coating on yours? As you can see in the pictures of mine it is well worn. I was wondering how it would work for a test of Duracote or Cerakote.

Gentlemen,

That's the GEM Micromatic Clog-Pruf (note the spelling). These are wonderful shavers, dating from around 1940 or so. I have two closed comb versions and love them, especially with my heavy beard. Ah, that's a sample of true American workmanship of bygone years. Good stuff.

How do these compare to the DE razors? Never used a SE before.
Nice looking GEM by the way.

Originally Posted by JP5

How do these compare to the DE razors? Never used a SE before.
Nice looking GEM by the way.

In my opinion, FWIW, SEs are generally superior in shaving quality to DEs. There may be those who challenge this but most who have made the comparison come down on the side of the SE. NB by "shaving quality" I mean that combination of sharp and smooth that results in the closest and most comfortable shave. I would urge sceptics to get hold of a cheap SE like a 1912 pattern GEM and some modern stainless blades and give them a go. You won't be disappointed.

The big drawback with SEs is getting hold of the blades. In the US you are not too badly off - you can buy them at a lot of drug stores - in this country we have to resort to the internet and buy them from the US or the UK.

+1^

I have a few old GEM razors and used with the Persona GEM stainless steel PTFE coated blades are very comfortable shavers that shave very closely. I think most people who try a GEM for the first time get the angle wrong resulting ion very uncomfortable shaves. These GEMs shave with the top plate almost touching the skin, like using an adze. You likely won't find blades for GEM razors in retail stores in Canada either. The internet is the way to go here too but it is less costly to do so that from OZ.

Bob

Gentlemen,

Bob is right, the proper angle on the GEM razors is important. I love my GEM razors and shave with the top plate almost flat on my face — maybe with a five-degree angle. These razors are a joy to use once you find the sweet spot. I find all to be smooth shavers, all except the Shovelhead, which I find a wee bit rough.

I too found the shovelhead a bit on the agressive side. And the 1912 gem to be the smoothest SE of them all.

Jerry,
I have the GEM Micromatic Clog-Pruf, Bullit Tip "Flying Wing," G-Bar, Featherweight, Shovelhead, GEM Junior and Pushbutton. Love them all, except for the Shovelhead. My favorite, though, is the Pushbutton. Smooth as silk. The Clog-Pruf and the Flying Wing, though, are not far behind. The one that gives me the closest shave is the GEM G-Bar. All good stuff.

Ive parted with all but 2 SE's. I let all go besides the 1912 but last month won the micromatic so now got two. I had collected as many different one i could find but when i went to Straights i gave them up except the one the was such a great shave. Its one of 5he first in its series. And the pating is not worn off.