Thread: Gem SE fear

"SORRY, THIS WAS A DOUBLE POST FROM MY PHONE!" And I am yelling 'cause I am not sure how far away you are.

Ok, I have been using a DE, then a straight for the last several months, and today I decided to bust out the GEM SE. I'm not sure about anyone else's experience, but I found it much scarier than even straight razor shaving, as the blade touched my skin, I could feel the bite. I used no pressure whatsoever, ans was totally unnerved at the entire experience. Is this just me, our are they really that aggressive? Now, I didn't cut myself, but the whole time I was anxious because it felt like the razor was going to eat me. There was a tiny bit of razor burn, but I did end up BBS.

I don't know when I may try this again, but it may be a while. Back to the straights for now.

A to the type, it was the tensioned GEM. Not the flip down, that one scares me even more. Anyone else unnerved by these things?

Ok, I have been using a DE, then a straight for the last several months, and today I decided to bust out the GEM SE. I'm not sure about anyone else's experience, but I found it much scarier than even straight razor shaving, as the blade touched my skin, I could feel the bite. I used no pressure whatsoever, ans was totally unnerved at the entire experience. Is this just me, our are they really that aggressive? Now, I didn't cut myself, but the whole time I was anxious because it felt like the razor was going to eat me. There was a tiny bit of razor burn on my lower neck, but I did end up BBS.

I don't know when I may try this again, but it may be a while. Back to the straights for now. I can end up well shaved and not trembling by the end.

A to the type, it was the tensioned GEM. Not the flip down, that one scares me even more. Anyone else unnerved by these things?

Sorry but I had to laugh...I can picture your anxiety through the whole process and that alone makes me never want to try this daunting task.

Glad you made it out alive. Can you post a pic of said razor of doom?

Those SE's just look scary!

lol...cool post. I don't have a Gem but I do have a Rolls and a Valet. When first using them I do remember a slight anxiety..but that goes away and all is good

If a regular Gem scares you, you might not want to try one of the old "Lather Catchers" where the blade just sort of rides piggy back on top!

Which GEM was it? The 1912s are very mild, but the Open Comb MicroMatics are pretty aggressive.

The 1912 is a GREAT beginner SE and really a great all around razor.

Originally Posted by medicevans

Which GEM was it? The 1912s are very mild, but the Open Comb MicroMatics are pretty aggressive.

The 1912 is a GREAT beginner SE and really a great all around razor.

I totally agree. But I have had great shaves from my open comb MM. The blade must be fresh, your beard prep good, and no pressure on the razor. Come to think of it, that's like a straight...

Originally Posted by RoyceH

I totally agree. But I have had great shaves from my open comb MM. The blade must be fresh, your beard prep good, and no pressure on the razor. Come to think of it, that's like a straight...

Nice. Yes, it is an open comb micromatic, and it is a lot like a Straight shave.

I will try to post some pictures when I get home this evening, it is in beautiful shape, and I thought, "It's just sitting there not getting any attention, let's try it!" When I don't have quite enough time for a straight shave I usually reach for my Fatboy, but Saturday I had about 15 minutes, it took me nearly the entire 15 minutes to do all three passes(I am slow, it takes me a good 25-35 minutes to do a full 3 pass straight razor shave). I can speed it up a touch by face lathering, but I don't enjoy that quite as much. I am just glad that I didn't rip my face off, a DE blade is somewhat flexible, an SE blade is not!

The first time I ever picked up a Merkur slant I approached it with fear and trepidation. Within a couple of passes it became my favorite DE and remains so 4 years later. I rarely shave DE but if I do that is my tool of choice. As to the SEs, I have a few Gems and I've shaved with them some. Even with the Ted Pella blades, arguably the best of the SE blades, they are not as 'good' as a DE blade, such as a Feather or a Gillette Swede. At least IMHO.

A pic of my Gem's. Three 1912's, a Micromatic open comb' a Damaskeene and a Gem Jr. All of them wonderful shavers but will let you know if you lose concentration.