first shave with Gem 1912/Gem personna blade...I dont get it

[Kentos]

I don't get it.

Can someone please tell me why they stopped making this razor anymore??? As a new wet shaver I have to admit that my experience is still minimal, but compared to shaving with a DE my shave tonite was the smoothest, easiest, closest, most enjoyable yet. No burn, no cuts, nothing. Less passes to get to where I want to be closeness wise, yet none of the trade offs of having a sharper blade or more aggressive razor to achieve it.
I just cannot fathom how Gillette and his Double Sided razor ever found favor over the Gem single edge...I guess money, marketing and military contracts from what I have read but still...I actually think many cartridge shavers could easily switch over to a SE more easily than to a DE
I think I am going to start hoarding as many minty SE razors I can find before they go the way of the Fat Boy, Eclipse Red Ring and their ilk...as a matter of fact lets keep this to ourselves. If everyone ever found out how well these things shave $5.00 1912's will go the way of the Dodo bird. The Gillettes may be relegated to the showcase for ornamental properties and occassional novelty shaves.

[Hagbardr]

I picked up a beautiful 1912 at the flea market tonight. I just had to clean a little soap scum off it and the plating is in excellent condition. Not bad for $5.

Now I just have to pick up some blades so I can try it out.

[Kentos]

I picked up a beautiful 1912 at the flea market tonight. I just had to clean a little soap scum off it and the plating is in excellent condition. Not bad for $5.

Now I just have to pick up some blades so I can try it out.

Just wait til you shave with it... I was smiling ear to ear after the first WTG pass...

[Buford T. Justice]

Some like straights, some like SE, some like DE, some like injector, etc. It's all personal preference; mine is DE.

[Mike'sWorld]

Yep, resistance is futile.
SE shaving is close, comfortable and smooth. I'm shaving with my G-bar this week.

[HoosierTrooper]

Glad to hear the 1912 worked for you, and I agree these should have put Gillette in second place but it just didn't work out that way.The simplicity of the design alone is remarkable.

I used a Micromatic yesterday and a Star 1912 this morning with a Gem Blue Star blade. Flawless, absolutely flawless shaves, even though I added too much water to the Palmolive soap yesterday and had less than ideal lather.

[alex2363]

luv mine...its up next

[The Last Chimney]

Just wait til you shave with it... I was smiling ear to ear after the first WTG pass...

This can be interpreted a couple of different ways! :eek:

[kimfella]

This can be interpreted a couple of different ways! :eek:

As long as the smile was ABOVE the chin it's all good:drool:

[Dave Deluxe]

"Just wait til you shave with it... I was smiling ear to ear after the first WTG pass..."

. . . . and you just can't help rubbing your face all morning, just to see if it is really that smooth.

DD

[Sledgehammer39]

It's a great little shaver. I only hope that Energizer who now owns ASR does not knock down the quality of SE blades.

[Kentos]

This can be interpreted a couple of different ways! :eek:

Ha ha! A virtual faux pas! At least I wasn't gushing over a straight!:lol:

[craig87c]

I used a Micromatic yesterday and a Star 1912 this morning with a Gem Blue Star blade. Flawless, absolutely flawless shaves, even though I added too much water to the Palmolive soap yesterday and had less than ideal lather.

I can confirm that a GEM will give a great shave with Palmolive lather that is too dry! The first 1912 shave I had, I couldn't get enough water into the soap and still got a fantastic couple of shaves.

[Hagbardr]

Holy aggressive razor, Batman!

I just had a wonderful, close, irritation free shave with my 1912 and a CVS (ASR) blade. I felt a little tugging at times, as the technique is a little different. No nicks or weepers at all.

Are the CVS blades made to the same spec as the Gem ones?

[kg4ghn]

SEs are great!!!


Holy aggressive razor, Batman!

I just had a wonderful, close, irritation free shave with my 1912 and a CVS (ASR) blade. I felt a little tugging at times, as the technique is a little different. No nicks or weepers at all.

Are the CVS blades made to the same spec as the Gem ones?

From what I understand the CVS blades are not stainless. I have made it through most of a 10 pack though and haven't noticed any large amounts of rusting like the carbon blades are supposed to do. I actually quite like the CVS blades.

[Eudjinn]

I can get "Treet" blades from my local Rite aid. Are those any good?

[BowTieGuy]

I have become a big fan of the SE Gems and one old EverReady I managed to find. I am on the lookout for more. Let's see, if the progression of quality goes up as the number of blades goes down, could shaving with NO blade perhaps be the ultimate?

[kimfella]

I have become a big fan of the SE Gems and one old EverReady I managed to find. I am on the lookout for more. Let's see, if the progression of quality goes up as the number of blades goes down, could shaving with NO blade perhaps be the ultimate?

Well, there should be very little irritation or razor burn :001_rolle

[HoosierTrooper]

I can get "Treet" blades from my local Rite aid. Are those any good?
Treets are my favorites, hands down. Drying them thoroughly when you're done each day will help prevent rust.

[binowatch]

SE shaving is the nearest to a straight with the ease of a safety razor. I also like a schick injector for the same reason. I like to rotate DEs and these for variety but must say that my Gems shave the best! I just wish there were more blades available. I agree that Treets do a great job, however.

[Kentos]

Treets are my favorites, hands down. Drying them thoroughly when you're done each day will help prevent rust.

Do you think a quick zap with a torch cigar lighter to dry the thing off would take the temper out if the blade? After my gem stainless runs out I'll try it with some blue stars, although anyone's opinion would be great.

[HoosierTrooper]

Do you think a quick zap with a torch cigar lighter to dry the thing off would take the temper out if the blade? After my gem stainless runs out I'll try it with some blue stars, although anyone's opinion would be great.

Only one way to find out! Any chance to combine fire and sharp metal things can't be passed up.:lol:

[ShavinBacon]

Only one way to find out! Any chance to combine fire and sharp metal things can't be passed up.:lol:

I tried this once....ONCE!

[smrex13]

I have not touched my DE razors in 6 months. Once I tried the 1912 I was hooked.

[craig87c]

I have not touched my DE razors in 6 months. Once I tried the 1912 I was hooked.

I've touched them since I started using SE razors.

Picked them up, polished them, and sold them!

[willyb]

SE shaving is down right horrible, treet blades are dispicable. please whatever you do.... dont do it. as quickly as possible, send all your single edge razors and blades to me, so i can destroy them..... as a favor to you. :w00t:

[DustMite]

I've been enjoying my 1912 Ever Ready Se ever since I got it. I have been using it almost exclusively since I acquired it.
I alternate between Rite-Aid Treet blades and the Walgreens Gem blades to see which I like better.
To cut down on the Treet blades (carbon-steel) rusting, I give the razor and blade an alcohol bath before setting them out to dry. No rust yet.
I love the audible feedback "scritch-scritch" the SE razors give.
Oh yeah, I also have an Open Comb Micromatic.
I used that one to shave with once... ONCE...so far anyway. :ohmy:
I realize now that I need to work on technique some more before trying that one again. :wink2:
Since I got these SE razors, my DEs have been getting awfully lonely lately.

[Kentos]

I just tried a clog pruf... wow!!! I have a harder time grabbing a DE now for sure.

[HoosierTrooper]

I just tried a clog pruf... wow!!! I have a harder time grabbing a DE now for sure.

Big fan of the CP here!

[aimsport]

1912 Gem Jr. this morning. Treet blade day 2. GWPT/KMFUnsc2 superlather. Wonderful razor. :thumbup1: :thumbup1: :thumbup1:

[BroJohn]

I tend to favor the Bullet-Tip/Bullseye Micromatic. You can readily find these in excellent shape. Nice shaver. Recommended.

The SE blade is 2_1/2 times thicker than the thin DE blade. That thickness gives it a rigidity that lets it plow through even the toughest whiskers.

(...and if the blade isn't sharp, it'll give you a horrible case of razor-burn. So always use a sharp SE blade that's in its prime.)

-- John Gehman