Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 35
Like Tree10Likes

Thread: Gem SE fear

Hybrid View

  1. #1
    "We are the knights who say, "nee!" Yochatman's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Location
    Charlotte, North Carolina, United States
    Posts
    203
    Thanked: 33

    Default 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?
    Last edited by Yochatman; 05-21-2012 at 12:27 PM.

  2. #2
    "We are the knights who say, "nee!" Yochatman's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Location
    Charlotte, North Carolina, United States
    Posts
    203
    Thanked: 33

    Default GEM SE fear...

    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?

  3. #3
    Senior Member ZeroCool's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    PA
    Posts
    650
    Thanked: 81

    Default

    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!

  4. #4
    Poor Fit
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Posts
    4,562
    Thanked: 1263

    Default

    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

  5. #5
    Senior Member rodb's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States
    Posts
    2,944
    Thanked: 433

    Default

    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!
    Name:  gem lc.jpg
Views: 1005
Size:  29.0 KB
    Last edited by rodb; 05-21-2012 at 03:58 AM.
    Deegee likes this.

  6. #6
    Senior Member medicevans's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Posts
    768
    Thanked: 99

    Default

    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.

  7. #7
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    Victorville, CA
    Posts
    112
    Thanked: 10

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by medicevans View Post
    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...

  8. #8
    "We are the knights who say, "nee!" Yochatman's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Location
    Charlotte, North Carolina, United States
    Posts
    203
    Thanked: 33

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by RoyceH View Post
    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!

  9. #9
    Senior Member blabbermouth JimmyHAD's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Posts
    32,564
    Thanked: 11044

    Default

    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.
    Cove5440 likes this.

  10. #10
    Senior Member blabbermouth Theseus's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Ohio
    Posts
    2,786
    Thanked: 421

    Default

    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.
    Name:  005.jpg
Views: 676
Size:  30.7 KB

Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •