After my first shave with an SE....I'm hooked. What next?

I shaved with a new to me Aluminum Mongoose and got a spectacular shave.  It has me considering letting go of my ATT set to acquire a new SE.  At the moment I'm hoping for one of the Cobra's from Classic Shaving or the One Blade.  However, the cost of the One Blade gives me pause despite the hype.  What else should I consider?  Your thoughts are greatly appreciated!

A GEM!

More and more interest and support for SE, these days. As this board and the SE interest grows, I can forsee the day when DFS might have a DE and a SE subforum under the "Safety Razor" forum like B&B has done. Too new to the wet shaving boards to  know, but did B&B do it from the outset or did they do it in response to the need for separation?

I've been a member on B&B since 2007. They always had a subsection for SE and DE. Having said that, I hope that is the only thing DFS does that is
the same as B&B.

More and more interest and support for SE, these days. As this board and the SE interest grows, I can forsee the day when DFS might have a DE and a SE subforum under the "Safety Razor" forum like B&B has done. Too new to the wet shaving boards to  know, but did B&B do it from the outset or did they do it in response to the need for separation?

no issues with separating the forum sections if the need arises.

More and more interest and support for SE, these days. As this board and the SE interest grows, I can forsee the day when DFS might have a DE and a SE subforum under the "Safety Razor" forum like B&B has done. Too new to the wet shaving boards to  know, but did B&B do it from the outset or did they do it in response to the need for separation?

no issues with separating the forum sections if the need arises.

I don't think that it's needed yet, Andrew, but when the traffic tripples, which the doubling of the registered users will doubtlessly produce, then the time might be right!

I ended up buying a few items on ebay:

Gem Micromatic Chrome
Gem Micromatic Safety Razor Clog Pruf
Gem G-Bar

I'm going to give them a try once my blades arrive from Connaught. For the moment I am holding off on the One Blade. One Blade's marketing strategy is interesting but gives me pause when deciding to pull the trigger. They had a Valentines Day deal that included the razor w/case, a ton of product and the brush for $399. They also sent me a 10% off coupon. I still didn't pull the trigger. Now I've got an offer which is essentially the same as the above $399 "deal" for $299. I'm going to either get a like new one or wait (possibly in vain) for another 35% off code...

I ended up buying a few items on ebay:

Gem Micromatic Chrome
Gem Micromatic Safety Razor Clog Pruf
Gem G-Bar

I'm going to give them a try once my blades arrive from Connaught.  For the moment I am holding off on the One Blade.  One Blade's marketing strategy is interesting but gives me pause when deciding to pull the trigger. They had a Valentines Day deal that included the razor w/case, a ton of product and the brush for $399. They also sent me a 10% off coupon.  I still didn't pull the trigger.  Now I've got an offer which is essentially the same as the above $399 "deal" for $299.  I'm going to either get a like new one or wait (possibly in vain) for another 35% off code...

the gem G-bar is probably the least aggressive of the 3 you listed, IIRC. either way, I think you'll enjoy them. and with how long the GEM SS PTFE blades typically last, you could shave on the cheap for a long time!

I ran the gamut of the SEs and, with the exception of the MMOC, loved them. The G bar, mild though it is, is a great shaver. So is the 1914 patent everready. I wasn't as crazy about the 1912, and the bullet tip GEM, cool looking as it was, wasn't, for me, as good a shaver as the others. Injectors sound like a route the OP might want to go. The schick G type is fantastic, and the slightly more aggressive E type, with the beautiful bakelite handle, is something everyone should try. The hydromatic is no slouch either, and its 70s era muscle car aesthetic may bring out your inner Burt Reynolds.

I got ahold of a Cobra classic, though, and it's the most consistent, best shave I've had, bar none. I released all the other SEs I'd caught once the Cobra bit me, except for the 1914 Everready.

I finally shaved with the Clug Pruf and Micromatic today, one on each side of the face. I love that each of them have small heads which are great for getting below the nose - better then any other razor in my collection. For both, my face felt irritated during the shave which I believe may be due to inexperience with SE and/or Gem razors. I found these to be much lighter than I'm used to also and admittedly, it may take me time to get these dialed in. On first use I have a slight preference for the MMOC which was surprising as, at least with DE razors I preferred closed comb razors.

I have an injector on the way and a Gem Bar razor to try as well.

I don't know how well the One Blade shaves, but I doubt it shaves 15x better (which is a conservative estimate as to the price difference). That said, I still plan to try it one of these days.

David