Thread: Gem SE fear

So, for what it's worth, I cleaned up after my straight razor shave today with the GEM, and it was fantastic. I did a 2 1/2pass SR then went for ATG with the Gem on my neck and it was quite fantastic. It felt a lot more like the straight than my DE clean-ups. (Sometimes I do it when I have little time to shave in the morning ie 20 minutes instead of 30)

Anyway, not nearly as harrowing as when you go for a WTG first stroke. And I have shaved with the SE several times now, but it doesn't get any less unnerving!

Kinda surprised at your apprehension. After shaving with a straight, the SE is not intimidating at all to me. The first couple times I did schedule plenty of time so I could learn to use it comfortably, but I really like it much better than a DE. Just my experience however. I did go from canned goo multi blade POS, to Electric, to Straights,THEN to SE and DE in that order...
Did you watch Mantic59's videos? They give a really good tutorial on DE which can be used for SE.

I started with a DE. and Yep, watched all of Mantic's videos. Just find that the SE really like to play with my mind! It's stiff like a Straight, but wrapped in this skin that's supposed to make it safe. It feels like it can bite you at any second while using it, and it's just plain scary! I can use it, but I am much happier using my straight, it feels so much better in my hand, not like the apparition that is the SE come to steal my soul. Trying out a new SE sometime this week... when I can work up my courage! It's a straight tomorrow morning!

If I were to rate the Gem razors I own from least aggressive to most it would be: 1912 & lather catcher, Bullet tip , Clog Pruf, and Open comb micromatic. I don't own any of the later models ie.. the contour or any from the 50-70's

The OCMM was my first real razor when I came out of the Plastic Chinese Crap era. Sporty at best but once you get the hang of it they're really good shavers. Now that I think of it, I may pencil in a couple SE shaves this week. The Lather Catchers are amazing as well. I also own a Gem Featherweight which seems to be the mild one of the lot (picture Gillette Tech only SE)