Thread: First Shave Ever!!!!

I just got in my s/e blades so i immediately went to shave.

I got a fine shave with my great-grandfather's old Gem Micromatic but because I am only 15 and don't have a job couldn't afford a brush and proper shave soap i was forced to use EDGE vault Shave Gel, and no aftershave.

Despite this my face is nice and smooth despite a VERY minor nick(I don't even think it is worth mentioning) and some mild razor burn.

I did a traditional 4-pass shave after using the barbershop shave prep method(see Mantic59 YouTube videos)

Thanks for all your advice,

Joshua Thompson

P.S. Thank you Gatorfan for the Gem Junior and blades, I am gonna use the junior for my next shave.

Rock on and Congrats!!

Originally Posted by JoshuaThompsonm3

I just got in my s/e blades so i immediately went to shave.

I got a fine shave with my great-grandfather's old Gem Micromatic but because I am only 15 and don't have a job couldn't afford a brush and proper shave soap i was forced to use EDGE vault Shave Gel, and no aftershave.

Despite this my face is nice and smooth despite a VERY minor nick(I don't even think it is worth mentioning) and some mild razor burn.

I did a traditional 4-pass shave after using the barbershop shave prep method(see Mantic59 YouTube videos)

Thanks for all your advice,

Joshua Thompson

P.S. Thank you Gatorfan for the Gem Junior and blades, I am gonna use the junior for my next shave.

Congratulations!!

My first shave ever was about 40 years ago with my dad's Gillette fatboy ( I still have it) and canned goo.

If you have a Walmart near you, you should be able to get a Van Der Hagan brush and soap for about $12. They aren't top end but will work just fine. Also check dollar stores as they have knockoff aftershaves sometimes stupid cheap (Old Spice smell-alike for $1.50, Brut smell-alike $1.00 at a Family Dollar near me )

Congratulations! It's great to hear that you've started shaving off on the right foot. If you get a decent brush and soap, like robd mentions above, you should be totally set! As far as aftershave goes, I just use Nivea aftershave balm, it works great and you just pick it up at a drugstore. You can probably get by without aftershave if you just make sure to moisturize your face after you shave.

You've made a good choice by going the traditional wetshave route, you'll save a LOT of money not buying those pricey disposable blades.

Congrats on the first shave success. GEMs are great razors and with some practice you will be amazed at the shave you get from it. It is great that you are able to use a razor that belonged to your great-grandfather for the shave as well.

GEMs are great razors, I love them. They give me closer shaves than DEs, but not as good as a keen straight....they are great for when I don't have the time to dedicate to a straight.

I have a GEM 1912 w/ a chain-link metal handle and love it