Post by drumzalot on Jun 15, 2013 17:45:07 GMT -6
For a month now I have been jumping into the world of single edge razors. My initial entry to SE razors was full of doubt. I didn't think I would be successful with what seemed to me to be uncommon odd razors. I had even less confidence using a Gem OCMM. This particular razor seemed to have a controversial reputation. Either the OCMM delivered a smooth shave or it attempted to shred your face.
In the end I acquired two OCMM razors. The first one has a gold tone finish that ran me $9. It wasn't a great looking razor since it had some tarnish and was quite dirty. The razor's top plate would not open or close properly. After some cleaning it looked better and functioned a bit better.
I believe that the brand/type of razor blade being used makes a noticeable difference in a razor's performance. To this day I have only used CVS Pharmacy brand single edge razor blades. I still have to one day use a stainless steel blade. After a few strokes with the grain the OCMM seemed very smooth.
Since every razor I have owned passed the first WTG pass, I figured the XTG pass would start to show the OCMM's bad reputation. Half way through the razor showed it's effectiveness but still it seemed far too smooth. Thinking about all of the negative feedback it had gotten I was certain that the ATG pass would prove it's first and final use. With each ATG stroke the OCMM was far more effective then my 1912 razors and surprisingly it was still smooth.
I was expecting to see a few weepers. I kept checking every inch of my face to see where the blood would flow bit it didn't. The shave was also irritation free. In the end what I received was a silky smooth shave. Even before finishing I knew that the OCMM was a winner. The 1912 had reigned as the best SE I had tried, I couldn't believe I had to demote it's status as second place right below the OCMM.
I liked the OCMM so much that I had to get another one in better condition. In the end I bought a chrome OCMM (in very good condition) with it's brown bakelite case for $15. My first shave with the OCMM was so soothing and positive that I find it hard to believe that it's nearly diabolical to some.
Not so long ago I acquired a Micromatic Clog Pruf. This model always seemed to me to be the lesser known of the Micromatic series. I loaded a CVS carbon steel blade (which was it's third use) and away I went. All three passes pretty much had the same performance. I don't know if what I experienced was due to a blade on it's 3rd use. The Clog Pruf delivered a bit of a rough shave.
The razor's head reminded me of a Heavy Flat Top but it's performance wasn't as smooth. It was not a bad outcome and not one tiny piece of skin was cut. I really don't know what to think of the Clog Pruf. At least on it's first run I felt that it was a standard not bad but not great performer. I guess it came out to be a bit of a workhorse with average results. In the end I will use it again but I am in no hurry to do so.
The Clog Pruf came with tarnish and was quite dirty for $9 this was not a big deal. I do have questions about cleaning a very dirty gold tone Gem. I soaked the razor with hot water some dish soap and baking soda. After around 20 minutes the water turned dark. Using a tooth brush I scrubbed the razor with dish soap then I applied Scrubbing Bubbles. After about three cleanings with Scrubbing Bubbles I felt it had improved but not enough.
I scrubbed the razor with baking soda which surprisingly removed a lot of hard to remove dark scum build up. After using the baking soda the razor became cleaner but quite dull. I don't know if some of the plating came off or if it needs a heavy duty polisher. Can anyone recommend a good polisher that won't harm the razor? Again, I found the OCMM to be a big time winner and the Clog Pruf to be quite average.
In the end I acquired two OCMM razors. The first one has a gold tone finish that ran me $9. It wasn't a great looking razor since it had some tarnish and was quite dirty. The razor's top plate would not open or close properly. After some cleaning it looked better and functioned a bit better.
I believe that the brand/type of razor blade being used makes a noticeable difference in a razor's performance. To this day I have only used CVS Pharmacy brand single edge razor blades. I still have to one day use a stainless steel blade. After a few strokes with the grain the OCMM seemed very smooth.
Since every razor I have owned passed the first WTG pass, I figured the XTG pass would start to show the OCMM's bad reputation. Half way through the razor showed it's effectiveness but still it seemed far too smooth. Thinking about all of the negative feedback it had gotten I was certain that the ATG pass would prove it's first and final use. With each ATG stroke the OCMM was far more effective then my 1912 razors and surprisingly it was still smooth.
I was expecting to see a few weepers. I kept checking every inch of my face to see where the blood would flow bit it didn't. The shave was also irritation free. In the end what I received was a silky smooth shave. Even before finishing I knew that the OCMM was a winner. The 1912 had reigned as the best SE I had tried, I couldn't believe I had to demote it's status as second place right below the OCMM.
I liked the OCMM so much that I had to get another one in better condition. In the end I bought a chrome OCMM (in very good condition) with it's brown bakelite case for $15. My first shave with the OCMM was so soothing and positive that I find it hard to believe that it's nearly diabolical to some.
Not so long ago I acquired a Micromatic Clog Pruf. This model always seemed to me to be the lesser known of the Micromatic series. I loaded a CVS carbon steel blade (which was it's third use) and away I went. All three passes pretty much had the same performance. I don't know if what I experienced was due to a blade on it's 3rd use. The Clog Pruf delivered a bit of a rough shave.
The razor's head reminded me of a Heavy Flat Top but it's performance wasn't as smooth. It was not a bad outcome and not one tiny piece of skin was cut. I really don't know what to think of the Clog Pruf. At least on it's first run I felt that it was a standard not bad but not great performer. I guess it came out to be a bit of a workhorse with average results. In the end I will use it again but I am in no hurry to do so.
The Clog Pruf came with tarnish and was quite dirty for $9 this was not a big deal. I do have questions about cleaning a very dirty gold tone Gem. I soaked the razor with hot water some dish soap and baking soda. After around 20 minutes the water turned dark. Using a tooth brush I scrubbed the razor with dish soap then I applied Scrubbing Bubbles. After about three cleanings with Scrubbing Bubbles I felt it had improved but not enough.
I scrubbed the razor with baking soda which surprisingly removed a lot of hard to remove dark scum build up. After using the baking soda the razor became cleaner but quite dull. I don't know if some of the plating came off or if it needs a heavy duty polisher. Can anyone recommend a good polisher that won't harm the razor? Again, I found the OCMM to be a big time winner and the Clog Pruf to be quite average.