Return Of The Gempire

[DunEdinRanger]

I shaved with a vintage Gem, well actually an Ever Ready acquired through the BST and shown here -


http://badgerandblade.com/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=56917&stc=1&d=1245980208


I used a Ted Pella blade, also acquired through the BST, and whipped up lather in a bowl using Lider Shaving Cream this morning following the usual prep.

The result? BBS in two passes on the face, but some rough spots on the neck. I was very impressed with the shave.

I can now understand the love for the Gems.

[Haiku]

Congratulations! You're now well on the way to a GEM RAD - one is never enough. Beautiful razor by the way. That's one of my favourite 1912 models - the ornate chrome.

[82R100]

Welcome aboard! I tried my first 1912 a couple of weeks ago to good effect.

This morning I took on the dreaded Micromatic (open comb) and I'm sold! I'd be on a Micromatic binge if only they varied more. As far as I can tell there are two handle styles, two plating colors and two head styles (open comb and Clog Pruf).

So I'd recommend a Micromatic for your next try.

- Chris

[pmast]

One of the last razors I tried before going into shavettes and straights was a micromatic. Also one of the sweetest and gentlest razors to give such outstanding results.

[AsylumGuido]

Welcome aboard! I tried my first 1912 a couple of weeks ago to good effect.

This morning I took on the dreaded Micromatic (open comb) and I'm sold! I'd be on a Micromatic binge if only they varied more. As far as I can tell there are two handle styles, two plating colors and two head styles (open comb and Clog Pruf).

So I'd recommend a Micromatic for your next try.

- Chris

Actually, I think you'll find more variations than that. Besides the antenna handle and the standard bullet tip handle there is also a bullet tip with an ivory TTO knob. And there are at least three head type differences. The closed safety bar variety is different than the clog pruf.

http://www.collectorsencyclopedia.com/imgins/1275A.jpg
http://www.collectorsencyclopedia.com/imgins/0497A.jpg
http://www.collectorsencyclopedia.com/imgins/1285B.jpg
http://www.collectorsencyclopedia.com/imgins/1281B.jpg
http://www.collectorsencyclopedia.com/imgins/0497B.jpg
http://www.collectorsencyclopedia.com/imgins/2996B.jpg

[AsylumGuido]

By the way, I am looking for an ivory tip if anyone has a nice one on hand that they would be willing to trade.

:001_smile

[Shave Cat]

By the way, I am looking for an ivory tip if anyone has a nice one on hand that they would be willing to trade.

:001_smile
I imagine they're rarer than hen's teeth.

-Clarke

[AsylumGuido]

I imagine they're rarer than hen's teeth.

-Clarke

Dave had one that he gave away just a couple of days before he heard I wanted one. I saw one in a lot of razors on eBay, but I didn't care for the condition.

[Shave Cat]

Dave had one that he gave away just a couple of days before he heard I wanted one. I saw one in a lot of razors on eBay, but I didn't care for the condition.
I don't recall ever seeing one. Guess I'll have to keep my eyes open.

-Clarke

[MrGuy]

By the way, I am looking for an ivory tip if anyone has a nice one on hand that they would be willing to trade.

:001_smile

That's the only one I need as well! I had to pass on some E-Bay ones a couple of months ago, and I haven't seen one since:mad:

[DunEdinRanger]

I really like the looks of that Gold Micromatic. You guys have just fed my RAD!

[MrGuy]

I really like the looks of that Gold Micromatic. You guys have just fed my RAD!

You've just been hypnotized by the "MAGIC EYE"!:crazy:

[TheBigL]

I just got my first Gem today; a clog pruf. Spell-check doesn't like that one!

If I hadn't already shaved I'd have tried it. I just hope the blades I've got are up to the challenge!

[rainman]

Lucky I got my gems when I did. I can see the price going up.

[gollum83]

What a coincidence! I just shaved with a 1912 Gem for the first time today too! Same results as Lou, BBS everywhere except for the neck. Overall I was very impressed. And you have to love the sound it makes, much more satisfying than a DE razor. Sounds a lot like a straight come to think of it. :biggrin:

Can't wait to try the other two I have! :001_smile

[DunEdinRanger]

What a coincidence! I just shaved with a 1912 Gem for the first time today too! Same results as Lou, BBS everywhere except for the neck. Overall I was very impressed. And you have to love the sound it makes, much more satisfying than a DE razor. Sounds a lot like a straight come to think of it. :biggrin:

Can't wait to try the other two I have! :001_smile

Which other two do you have?

I've a bunch... Thanks for reminding me, time to take one out of its barbicide bath!

[gollum83]

Which other two do you have?

I've a bunch... Thanks for reminding me, time to take one out of its barbicide bath!

Another 1912, which oddly enough bares a striking resemblance to the one in your first post and a Gem Junior, which is in beautiful condition.

[VolpeVerde]

I was very impressed with the shave.


]

I, too am always impressed with Gem shaves. They've become "top shelf" in my lavatory. All my unused Gillettes have been assigned to lower bunks.



57844

[Stubblefield]

Beautiful, simply beautiful!

[DunEdinRanger]

Here are the GEMS. I may need to thin the herd...

[Bertilak]

I shaved with a vintage Gem, well actually an Ever Ready acquired through the BST and shown here ...

That's a beauty! My favorite handle on the 1912s.

[DunEdinRanger]

2nd Shave with MB Awakenings and Osage Rub A/S.

Smoother than the first especially around the neck. The GEM is a keeper.

[MrGuy]

2nd Shave with MB Awakenings and Osage Rub A/S.

Smoother than the first especially around the neck. The GEM is a keeper.

Yep, SE need a slightly different technique, but one that every guy can pick up on fast! Be careful tho, soon your DE's will start to lose that spark that first brought you together:wink:

[Bertilak]

What a coincidence! I just shaved with a 1912 Gem for the first time today too! Same results as Lou, BBS everywhere except for the neck. Overall I was very impressed. And you have to love the sound it makes, much more satisfying than a DE razor. Sounds a lot like a straight come to think of it. ...

It was the feel of the GEM, including the sound, that got me started on straights, believe it or not.

I had been interested in straights for a while but, not wanting to make such a big commitment into the unknown, tried a variety of "shavetttes" -- those things that look something like a straight but hold half of a DE blade. I was not impressed -- seemed nothing but an inconvenient way to use a DE blade.

Once I shaved with a GEM SE I realized that there could really be a much different (and, to me, better) shaving experience and my theory was that it had to do with the stiffness of the SE blade compared to the DE. Figuring a straight would be stiffer yet I decided to give a real straight a chance.

Whether my theory is right or wrong, it turned out to be a good decision for me, even though the learning curve was (and still is!) steeper and longer than I anticipated.

So, give SE shaving a try and if it seems like a more pleasant shave consider a straight!

[gollum83]

So, give SE shaving a try and if it seems like a more pleasant shave consider a straight!

Actually I'm already shaving with a straight. :lol1:

Though I will say that line of reasoning, albeit in reverse, has brought me in this direction. Did they really shave like a straight on a stick like some claim? I was also wondering what all the fuss was about among SE devotees here. I mean almost everyone here claims an almost fanatical loyalty to some sort of shaving instrumentation, but the claims that an SE razors shave better than DEs? Could it be true? Hmm, it seemed to be a claim worth investigating. Besides if nothing else I just like to experiment with stuff. So here am I!

I'm still going to shave with a straight, but hey there's no harm in mixing it up every once and awhile. :biggrin:

[Bertilak]

Actually I'm already shaving with a straight. :lol1:

Though I will say that line of reasoning, albeit in reverse, has brought me in this direction. Did they really shave like a straight on a stick like some claim?
No, I wouldn't say that. The experience is quite different. The GEMs are a lot easier to save with -- it's almost impossible to nick yourself, you really need to work hard to get any serious razor burn, and the results are great. I do think when I have given each my best shot I can do a tad better with a straight -- mostly under the jaw line. On a typical shave day I get pretty similar results -- but my straight technique is still towards the novice end of the scale.



I'm still going to shave with a straight, but hey there's no harm in mixing it up every once and awhile. :biggrin:
Exactly what I do.

[Haiku]

Here are the GEMS. I may need to thin the herd...

That's a very nice collection! You need to add a couple of lather-catchers and an Ever Ready Streamline you know.

[DunEdinRanger]

That's a very nice collection! You need to add a couple of lather-catchers and an Ever Ready Streamline you know.

:rolleyes: Precisely why I may need to thin the herd. To make room for those you mention.

[Haiku]

:rolleyes: Precisely why I may need to thin the herd. To make room for those you mention.

Looks like you've been bitten all right.

[paydepst]

Real men use Gems! :cool:

[pablo_h]

I'm glad I alread have all mine, they might be getting more popular and more expensive soon :D
I've got about 15 of them, all boxed or cased and only two of the cost more than $15 (cased damaskeen 1912 and pat 1900 gem jnr), most were around $5, the cheapest being the micromatics.

I had a shave with the clog pruf micromatic the other day, it was a nice shave and I see what 1oldgi meant when he said the 'heft' of the razor feels different to a 1912 :D

[DunEdinRanger]

Maybe this should be another thread, but what is the difference between the Damaskene, Ever Ready, Star and Gems?

[D.Irving79]

Maybe this should be another thread, but what is the difference between the Damaskene, Ever Ready, Star and Gems?

the damaskeene was a gem blade that was advertised on some of their models and recommended to be used. it proceeded the double life gem blade. ER, star and gem were all razors made under ASR: different brands under one flag; theyre not ALL gems. they are each their own razor. star became part of the ASR family in 1915/1916.

[DunEdinRanger]

Thanks, they look virtually identical and I was wondering.