HOLY CRAP! This razor tore me up! I have never had a shave this bad. The quality of the shave was awesome. This razor is the only one I have used that will get that certain area on my face that nothing else will but DAMN did it tear me up in other places. Has anyone ever thought of using several razors to shave daily? I would love to use this one as a third pass on my neck across the grain to get that part but not on the front of the neck near the Adams Apple. Chime in on your thoughts.
Some folks here love them. I personally hate mine. There was a running joke here awhile back that called them the Junk-o-matic. Mine fit into that category. I think it's a safe assumption to say that many of us use different razors for touch-ups. A lot of times, I'll shave and notice a spot I missed hours earlier and grab whatever is handy- be it a disposable at work or whatever. Go ahead and use it if it does the trick...
I haven't used a micromatic, personally, but when I was looking for a GEM I was warned that the micromatic was a more difficult razor to use. The 1912 is a good razor and it looks pretty cool too.
Im always follow Daves advices about SE razors,but this time I have to say that the Micromatic (specially an open comb one) needs some "kind of learning" like really light touch and different cutting angle(not as flat as the 1912)and really short strokes.If you do this and learn "how to use it" it will reward you with the best shaves ever. Thanks to Dave for selling me some of his Micromatics!
Agree with Teiste. It takes a bit of extra sensitivity and time. Depending on your other razors, the micromatic has quite a different angle to it. Give it another shot and see what happens...also what blades?
I picked up a GEM push button razor w/black handle at an antique shop for $3.00 -- when I got it home and cleaned it up --it looks brand new ( it has seen very little use). What blades would you suggest I use. This is my first GEM.
Ted Pellas.Im on my 5th shave with one of them and are great.GEM blades are ok and you can get them on Wallgrens(if you live in USA,at least my gf got some of them there)
CVS drugstores have the best you can find locally, I'm sure. Cheaper than Walgreens and the same thing (supposedly). You may find PAL blades around too. My Harvey's Supermarket sells them. They're carbon steel, though, and don't last as long.
Supposedly the PAL blades can be found at the Dollar Tree stores but I have had no luck in the 3 I have stopped at. The one's at Wal Mart or Walgreens work fine.
Me either Kevin. The first 2 times I went, they had an empty spot where they were supposed to be. Last week or so, the empty spot is gone and filled with something else. I gave up looking now...CVS will be fine for me. The ones at Harvey's were $1.99 a 5 pack. No Thanks.
For the PALs? I just wanted to get some to try since there isn't that large of a selection of SE blades. The way to go is through a group buy at Pella.
Thanks for the info -- I want to give the GEM a try with a half-decent blade the first time I lather up !!!
You want the other four in the pack? I didn't like the one I tried and am sure I still have the little box laying around somewhere...
Sure. Appreciate it. I've been told that the Gem by Personna at Walgreens are the same as the Gems you get from Ted Pella...http://www.theshaveden.com/forum/showthread.php?t=12951&highlight=gem,+pella I did have a bad blade this weekend from the Pella buy but it happens.
mmmm,I have noticed a big difference between the Ted Pellas and the GEMs.The Gem is totally dull after my second shave while with the Pella I am on my fifth shave and is still cutting like the first day.I have to try the GEM blue star but so far Pella is the winner.
Maybe you got the Gems that are not coated? Apparently there are two different Gem by Personna blades floating around out there...coated and not coated...that would explain the difference, because anyone I know who has the coated Gem by Personna and the Ted Pella Gem says they're the same.... and comparing my GbP and TPGs - to me they're identical Here's what I can find where, locally: Gem by Personna - CVS Treet Special - Rite Aid PAL Super - Family Dollar
Maybe my GEM blades are not coated cuz they get dull really easily and sooner than the Ted Pella.Thanks for the info!!!
