Worst safety razor shave of my life

Needed a quick shave last night so i got out my Gem Micromatic "clog pruf". I have never used it but after last months giveaway win i have used the Micromatic (that i won) several times with good results. I have read that the clog pruf was milder so i gave it a shot.
Now when i say that it was a bad shave i mean it tore my face off. Redness, weepers and a nice chunk out of my chin. It felt sharp enough with no tugging but when i was done there was plenty of pink on my towel.

Anybody have a similar experience? Never had this happen, even with a straight.

Yea, when I got the original R41. The first time I used it I just went at it with wild abandon. That was a big mistake. I nicked my face plenty. It was worse than with any straight I ever used.

Yea, anytime you rush a shave you could be in for that sort of thing.

Bob

The micromatic is always one i have to go easy with. Too agressive for my face. I have never got along with them. Of all the Gems that one never likes me. Maybethe clogproof you have has a larger gap? Or one of the tabs is bent that holds the blade? :shrug:

Could it have been a bad blade? Hope you heal well.

If I need a "quick shave" I always pull out a cartridge razor. I do not like using them under normal circumstances. However, when I am in a hurry I know that my lather and technique are likely to be less than ideal. Thus, using a cartridge allows me to get a socially acceptable shave without bloodshed.

I've never used a Clog Pruf, but I'm a big fan of the MMOC (aggressive) as well as the 1912 (mild). If I need a quick shave, I pull out the MMOC if I have less than 5 days growth, and lately I've been pulling out a Gillette New short comb DE if I have more than 5 days growth (I find the MMOC clogs up quickly).

I have had the experience you describe, always with a DE and always when I'm in a hurry. Never, that I can remember, with a SE. That being said, I find the first shave or two with a new blade to be harsh, and often will get irritation and weepers if I don't cork the blade first.

I'm guessing that your negative experience was more about the haste than the razor, but the only way to know is to try again when you have more time on your hands.

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Originally Posted by celestino

Could it have been a bad blade? Hope you heal well.

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I had thought of that, one of these days i'm going to get the loupe out and have a look at one of them.

My first shave ever was with a Gillette Super Adjustable TTO ("Black Beauty") and I believe a Personna 74 blade. It left me looking like I had been sorting wildcats all morning. My dad took one look at my face and knew what the problem was without even looking at my razor. I hadn't twisted the doors all the way down for that last 1/4 turn or so, and so my blade gap and exposure were off the books. Since then, anytime I have had a rough shave from any sort of replaceable blade razor, I check the blade mounting and any adjustments available. Also, for damage. Stops and tabs and other bits get bent or broken. Blades get installed incorrectly. SE blades in particular can have individual blades that are defective. Try a new blade and really look close at your blade gap. Also, concentrate on your shave angle, the angle between blade and skin. Try to keep it only high enough to shave, and no higher. Stretch your skin good, too.

I seldom use anything but a straight razor but on the rare occasion I use either a cheap shavette, one of my gold plated Gillette adjustables, or more commonly a Schick Injector. For just a quick shave or a shower shave I can't praise the G or E type Schick enough. Plus they are cheap as dirt and the Chinese Schick blades are not bad.

Good points.

Safety razor doesn't mean that we should hurry and not pay attention.

I had a less than stellar shave first I tried a Micromatic - I think the angle is different or something that I didn't realize (could be the blade too I guess). I put it away, tried again after some time and got a wonderful shave. I still use a MM Open Comb on a regular basis. Change the blade for a new stainless coated one, and go slow .. you may be pleasantly surprised

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Originally Posted by GaryG

I had a less than stellar shave first I tried a Micromatic - I think the angle is different or something that I didn't realize (could be the blade too I guess). I put it away, tried again after some time and got a wonderful shave. I still use a MM Open Comb on a regular basis. Change the blade for a new stainless coated one, and go slow .. you may be pleasantly surprised

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The best blade for me in a GEM are Personna Gem stainless steel PTFE coated blades. They are sharp and smooth shaving. As always keep the head of the GEM razor almost flat on your face as they do not shave using the typical DE angle.

Bob