Thread: I never tried a SE razor (e.g. Ever-Ready). Any tips on what to look for?

I find that the plain carbon steel blades seem sharper but deteriorate almost immediately here, even with plam stroppping and alcohol dips between shaves. The 1912 you have coming is a good intro to GEM style razors, if you find it too mild Open Comb Micromatics can be had for a song ..

Regarding the Mongoose and others of the hair shaper bladed ilk, I have not enjoyed them as much as the old fashioned GEM style, though the last couple years they've generated many fanboys. I like the much narrower GEM blade format due to its greater maneuverability

Originally Posted by GaryG

I find that the plain carbon steel blades seem sharper but deteriorate almost immediately here, even with plam stroppping and alcohol dips between shaves. The 1912 you have coming is a good intro to GEM style razors, if you find it too mild Open Comb Micromatics can be had for a song ..

Regarding the Mongoose and others of the hair shaper bladed ilk, I have not enjoyed them as much as the old fashioned GEM style, though the last couple years they've generated many fanboys. I like the much narrower GEM blade format due to its greater maneuverability

OK good to know Gary! The 1912 sure looked nice in the photos at least The blades I purchased are stainless, but I will probably try carbon later just to make up my own mind about it. Will let you know how it goes.

There was a brief moment where I got into SE razors and went crazy. I was predominantly into lather catchers; they're very collectible and a pleasure to shave with.

I also had a 1912 and a few other SE razors from different European manufacturers. I then got a Henckles Rapide and fell in love with it so much, I sold every SE I owned and stuck with the Rapide.

Check out the Rapide if you journey further down the SE path. It can take standard SE blades or the wedge blades they usually come with. Best of luck with the 1912!

Originally Posted by animalwithin

...... I was predominantly into lather catchers; they're very collectible and a pleasure to shave with........

"lather catchers"?

Originally Posted by trondsi

"lather catchers"?

Lather catcher refers to the scooped frame under the blade itself that would catch lather as you shave .. lots of different ones out there, more than a century old .. can't get a picture to load but Google "Lather Catcher Razor"

Thanks Gary!
Another question; were the "wedge blades" meant to be sharpened regularly?

Originally Posted by trondsi

Thanks Gary!
Another question; were the "wedge blades" meant to be sharpened regularly?

My understanding is they were - some of the lather catchers were even supplied with "stropping handles"

Back in the day before coated blades like the modern DE and SEs and when carbon steel was king most folks used one of those contraptions made of glass and sharpened the blades to extend their use. Lillicraps was the most famous made of that green glass. You see them all the time on Eboy.

Originally Posted by trondsi

Thanks Gary!
Another question; were the "wedge blades" meant to be sharpened regularly?

Yes sir. They're sharpened just like you'd sharpen a straight razor. Depending upon which lather catcher you get, some came with blades with very high quality steel. Heljestrand made a few lather catchers with beautiful blades. If you find one with blade stops in tact, you can use them with disposable SE blades too.

Arrgh! They sent me the wrong razor! Suddenly I have more old Gillettes than I ever wanted. Hopefully they can fix it and send the correct one soon. The other one (1912 Star) should come early next week.

Sorry, I just needed to rant