What's your take on the new GEM-type SE razors?

Thanks for the opinions, everyone. While I'm tempted to try one of the new GEM-type razors, I'll probably wait until the manufacturers have refined their designs a bit.

I'm really happy that people are trying to design new razors for these blades. I started on my 'traditional wetshaving' journey more than a decade ago, and we've moved from only having a few modern razors being available to having almost too many choices. They've been limited to the DE world for a long time, but it's nice to see new SE razors getting released too.

In the meantime maybe get a $15 Clog-Pruf, I didn't see one pictured.  Almost as good as the MMOC.

I have a CLog-Pruf and I like it a lot. While I gravitate to the OCMM and a couple of my lather-catchers, I use the milder ones occasionally - to provide some variety.

2) Head angle: Also, I'd like to see a slightly sharper rake on the head angle. This is possibly never going to happen.

3) Lighter material: I know most people like heavy stainless steel razors, but I prefer to have the blade edge do most of the work. So, if an Al version was available, I'd like that. That's another thing that probably never going to happen.

You might be wanting to look at the Starling whenever it comes back in stock. I have not tried it, but the angle of the top cap does look very steep and it is made of aluminum. I was not impressed by the fact that the handle is centered way back which might affect the balance of the razor.

2) Head angle: Also, I'd like to see a slightly sharper rake on the head angle. This is possibly never going to happen.

3) Lighter material: I know most people like heavy stainless steel razors, but I prefer to have the blade edge do most of the work. So, if an Al version was available, I'd like that. That's another thing that probably never going to happen.

You might be wanting to look at the Starling whenever it comes back in stock. I have not tried it, but the angle of the top cap does look very steep and it is made of aluminum. I was not impressed by the fact that the handle is centered way back which might affect the balance of the razor.

It was the Starling that really got me thinking about buying a new SE razor. I dislike the head embossing, but would have been willing to deal with that if the reviews had been better. I was going to get in on the passaround, but I'll be travelling on and off for a while and don't want to join in when I cannot guarantee that I'll be able to get it in the mail again within a week. I'll just have to wait and see if any of the manufacturers tweak their designs and if that fits my preferences more. Thanks for the input.

This applies to all modern razors. The only trends I have noticed are an increase in weight, handle length, price and blade gap. All of which do not appeal to me.

I am a daily full face shaver. To me the best closed comb is the Gillette Tech, OC is Gillette Old Type or Fatip Piccolo and SE is the Bullet.

Maybe if is was an every other day or shaved off multiple days of growth the newer razors would appeal to me but I’m not.

The whole Feather SE is a non issue because if I’m going to shell out for those blades I’ll just use an artist club

I like my razors small, maneuverable, ergonomic and with small blade gaps. Probably why is use a straight 99% of the time.


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Commonly, I am not a big fan of vintage razors.
Like to use more modern CNC machined razors.
For GEM blades, Sabre LV2 is pretty good razor.
mid-aggressive, efficient and smooth.
for me, only works excellent with GEM PTFE.

but I sold Sabre, after I got Ever-Ready Streamline. I have one from 1930s, i think the first edition with bigger holes.
Streamline is more aggressive than Sabre, more efficient, and very smooth.
I can successfully use many blades like Treet, GEM versions etc. It is incredible razor.
if you think Sabre LV2 is not aggressive enough for you, you should definitely get a Streamline.

I wished modern razor had the old school look. I feel the modern GEMs razors tried to fix a problem that never existed, the spring clamp to hold the GEM blades. The vintage GEMs not only look better but also function better.

Commonly, I am not a big fan of vintage razors.
Like to use more modern CNC machined razors.
For GEM blades, Sabre LV2 is pretty good razor.
mid-aggressive, efficient and smooth.
for me, only works excellent with GEM PTFE.

but I sold Sabre, after I got Ever-Ready Streamline. I have one from 1930s, i think the first edition with bigger holes. 
Streamline is more aggressive than Sabre, more efficient,  and very smooth.
I can successfully use many blades like Treet, GEM versions etc. It is incredible razor. 
if you think Sabre LV2 is not aggressive enough for you, you should definitely get a Streamline.

I've had several Streamlines over the years. They're excellent razors, but I found them to be too mild for my tastes. I guess this is one of the situations where YMMV really does rear its ugly head.

Commonly, I am not a big fan of vintage razors.
Like to use more modern CNC machined razors.
For GEM blades, Sabre LV2 is pretty good razor.
mid-aggressive, efficient and smooth.
for me, only works excellent with GEM PTFE.

but I sold Sabre, after I got Ever-Ready Streamline. I have one from 1930s, i think the first edition with bigger holes. 
Streamline is more aggressive than Sabre, more efficient,  and very smooth.
I can successfully use many blades like Treet, GEM versions etc. It is incredible razor. 
if you think Sabre LV2 is not aggressive enough for you, you should definitely get a Streamline.

I've had several Streamlines over the years. They're excellent razors, but I found them to be too mild for my tastes. I guess this is one of the situations where YMMV really does rear its ugly head.

1930s Streamline with GEM PTFE is definitely not mild for me. It has pretty nice aggressiveness.  It is actually most aggressive GEM razor I have ever tried.

While I appreciate the vintage GEM style razors, none of the are in the same class as the Blackland Sabre for me as far a a smooth shave goes. My take is that Blackland refined the GEM style razor into what it can really be.

I also and a Phoenix Starling. I'm not a big fan of aluminum razors. Having said that, the Starling also delivers a smoother shave than the vintage razors for me. The Starling is very much a 'lightest of light touch' razors. Mine has pointy little blade guards which will scratch you if you press too hard. I like the handling characteristics of the vintage razors better than the Starling, though a smooth shave is what is most important to me.

While I appreciate the vintage GEM style razors, none of the are in the same class as the Blackland Sabre for me as far a a smooth shave goes.  My take is that Blackland refined the GEM style razor into what it can really be.

I also and a Phoenix Starling.  I'm not a big fan of aluminum razors.  Having said that, the Starling also delivers a smoother shave than the vintage razors for me.  The Starling is very much a 'lightest of light touch' razors.  Mine has pointy little blade guards which will scratch you if you press too hard.  I like the handling characteristics of the vintage razors better than the Starling, though a smooth shave is what is most important to me.

Blackland Sabre LVL2 is the best modern GEM razor I have ever tried. I had couple of different brands, too. They were good, too.
But with these modern razors I was not able to get as close shave as with Streamline. Efficiency and aggressiveness is higher in Streamline. 
Have you ever tried Streamline before? If not, I strongly recommend.