Am I doing this right? Question regarding EverReady 1914 SE razor

The razor in question is the one y'all helped me identify in this thread.

I've ordered a set of ten GEM blades from the UK, and they arrived today. Testing the blades in the razor however... well, let me show you:

   
This is the old, original blade. Notice how the solid sides lets the hooks on either side hold the blade in place easily.

   
This is the new blade. Not only is is thinner, but the cut-outs on either sides is placed exactly where the hooks on the sides are.

   
Closing the lid though, it seems that the blade is pushed forward a bit and rests against two small bumps on the razor. The bear-trap lip seems to hold it securely in place too...

So, for those of you who used this style razor before, have I put the blade in right? Is it safe to use in the current configuration?

Yep, that's correct.

The head has a spring at the back, that pushes the blade forward when it's closed, it holds the blade firm against the tabs on the 'comb'.

The little hooks on the side don't hold the blade down anyway (even an old blade) - they just sort of make sure that the blade doesn't move around while you're closing the head.

As long as the blade is tucked behind the tabs on the comb, you're fine.

Incidentally, the Micromatics are the only GEM razors that don't have the spring at the back that pushes on the blade. That actually allowed them to use blades with edges on both sides. They looked like thick double-edged blades. You used one side, and then when it got blunt, you used the other side.

The double-edged Micromatic blades won't work on any of the other GEM/ER SE razors because they actually get pushed from the back.

EDIT: Here's a pic:

Great news - and an interesting tidbit of information too. Thank you Yohann.

I know which razor I'll be using next week

Everything Yohann said there is spot on. Now you just have to listen to your hairs being cut to know you have the right angle and then enjoy the experience. I look forward to hearing how it goes for you. Godspeed!

Looks good, how do you like the razor?

Interesting conversation. Thanks, guys.

I'm looking forward to the after action report too.

Good luck, Hans.

Wait until Monday and I'll let you know - this week I already declared to be cheap and cheerful Yuma Week. I am very much looking forward to taking the old EverReady out for a spin

Regarding blades, what lifetime can I expect? Same as a DE? More? Less? An inquiring mind wants to know

Blade life for me: two very good shaves, and an okay third. I make four passes, so your experience may be a bit different, depending on beard and number of passes you make.

(06-28-2012, 11:59 AM)WegianWarrior Wrote: Wait until Monday and I'll let you know - this week I already declared to be cheap and cheerful Yuma Week. I am very much looking forward to taking the old EverReady out for a spin

Regarding blades, what lifetime can I expect? Same as a DE? More? Less? An inquiring mind wants to know

I've pushed a PTFE coated stainless blade from Gem to 12 shaves. I usually can them after a week's worth (5-7 shaves) just because they aren't that expensive when bought in bulk and there's really no reason for me to push them past a week.

(06-28-2012, 11:59 AM)WegianWarrior Wrote: Wait until Monday and I'll let you know - this week I already declared to be cheap and cheerful Yuma Week. I am very much looking forward to taking the old EverReady out for a spin

Regarding blades, what lifetime can I expect? Same as a DE? More? Less? An inquiring mind wants to know

Hans, I've gotten bored with the exercise at times and ditched the blade at 18 shaves. I average 14; never less than 12, and as I wrote, I get bored when the blade gets to 18 shaves the few times that has happened.

As you might expect, the blade isn't the same at the 14th shave as it was for the first, but unless it exhibits bad behavior I don't change it out. I keep the wrapper and make a tally mark on it after each shave or I'd never be able to remember something so insignificant.