Ok so I have to admit that the open comb Micromatics are hard to get a good shave from. I recently cleaned up a clog proof brass MM that shaves very nice. I do not like it as much as the 1910 GEM junior, but that is my favorite and I have to add that I am bias toward it.

Anyone else find that with good technique the ole MM is a fun and good shaver?

Let's show a little love for the Black Sheep of the SE family.

Fuzzy

I'll go you one further, I like the open comb Micro-Matics better. Yes they do look like some sort of primitive device made to extract information from rebels in a small third world country, but they shave very nicely.

Never used one but I know someone who has 2 for sale if anyone wants to try it.

I like the open combs too... but it is harder to me to get a good shave from them.. Not impossible just harder.


Fuzzy

I agree with you there. I have to be on my toes with them but WOW they shave close and paying attention is part of the fun of a great shave.

That is hard to explain to some people.. I love a razor that I have to think about.. it is like flying a old airplane.. or driving an old truck.. You have to do the work. That is how my 1910 Gem Junior.. and 1927 NEW improved are.. I love it.. the MM are a lot like that also.. the open comb more so then then the Others.


Fuzzy

I get really nice shaves with the open comb Micromatic these days,but it took a lot of work with other Gem razors before I had the courage to try it, after reading other peoples horror stories. Definately a great shaver and so cheap at present.

Haha so funny this thread is here. Went to a few antique stores today and came home with a brass open comb Gem Micromatic. It was labeled for $6, but I brought it and a K-4 Adjustable (Slim, I believe?) home for $10 for the two. I'll post pics once they're cleaned, but the Gem does have brassing on the head.

I'm a happy boy! <Happy boy!>

I do not have brass open comb but several of the silver tone ones.. you are gonna like it I bet.

Fuzzy

what's the difference between the open comb and the clog proof?

From the front left: open comb, Clogpruf, open comb, Clogpruf...

happy088

about 3 days a week i reach for mine. i never follow through though..

I have a clogpruf and just got 2 open combs in the lot that brought me the Hero. Although I have not tried any of the Micros, cuz Dave got me hooked on the 1912's and lather catchers. I might have to break them out and give them a try.

Shaved with my new one today, my first ever MM shave. I will need to work on my technique a bit. Apparently no pressure is not the only trick needed. DFS, one of my best as far as smoothness and whiskers whacked, but some lingering irritation afterwards and a few nicks.

On a side note, can you take the spine off a SE blade and put it on a DE blade to use in a SE razor? I'm thinking my SE razors might be better off with a smoother blade - I don't think the Walgreen's Gem baldes are good for me...

Hey, Truckman, you might want to try some of the carbon steel SE blades. The Gem stainless blades are rough on my face--especially when loaded in a Micromatic--but the carbons shave smooth as butter and are much more forgiving. Treet Super blades can be found at Rite-Aid, and Pal Super blades are available at Family Dollar stores. The Treets and Pals are very close, if not identical, to each other.

Thanks Ursa, I'll check them out. I've got both those stores nearby. :happy088

i have a friend in spain working on using a cut down DE blade in a 1924 ever ready. it seems like its working so far.

I haven't put them side by side, but based on the "cut down" I'm assuming the DE blade is too large to fit then? I don't know if I'd go through all that trouble, I thought it may be just a simple spine swap

yeah, it requires some trimming down.

you should see what im going through trying to get a blade to fit a christy. what a pain in the ass