Can anyone identify this Gem razor

**overhorizon** · 09-01-2009, 10:27 PM

Can anyone identify this razor?

I looked everywhere and I can't find any Gem razors that resemble this. I don't know if it's just me, but it looks fairly "modern" or streamlined and not like a medieval torture device.

I had to zoom the pics down a bit since they were huge, but on that third pic, there is the letters "GEM" ingraved inside. What the heck model is this though? I'm honestly stumped.

I might buy this once I figure out what it is. I saw someone selling it for pretty cheap (I won't say where, it's mine, haha). Could be a good way for me to try SE shaving.

**Robxcarlson** · 09-01-2009, 10:29 PM

It's a Contour II - a cheaper version of the Contour, which is stainless in the handle and cap - the one you show is all plastic in the handle with a plated cap. If it shaves like the Contour then it will be great. I have a Contour II, but I've never shaved with it. I also have the Contour, which I love for it's modern look. If you can get this cheap, then go for it.

**overhorizon** · 09-01-2009, 10:42 PM

Originally Posted by Robxcarlson

It's a Contour II - a cheaper version of the Contour, which is stainless in the handle and cap - the one you show is all plastic in the handle with a plated cap. If it shaves like the Contour then it will be great. I have a Contour II, but I've never shaved with it. I also have the Contour, which I love for it's modern look. If you can get this cheap, then go for it.

Ah, thank you. It all makes sense now. What would I do without this forum?

Well, I dunno. I think I'll look around and see if anyone else has had any experience with this particular razor. But now that I have an actual name to go by, it makes things a lot easier. :-)

But for the price it's going for, it may be a pretty good deal. I may just go for it.

**Robxcarlson** · 09-01-2009, 10:45 PM

You really don't hear about the contour or contour II. These were the last of the Gems - I'm guessing 70's - A lot of people here love the older ornate gems and the g-bars but the style of those razors never appealed to me.

I say take a chance and get this razor. If you like it, then I suggest you look out for a contour - just to have a heavier more solid version of the same.

The best blades to get are the Gem by Personna stainless blades available from Walgreen's.

**overhorizon** · 09-01-2009, 10:54 PM

I see. Thank you so much. I may just go for it then.

**alex2363** · 09-02-2009, 01:59 AM

yup, countor 2, i have the 1 version, they dont shave as good as the GEMS 1912's or micros.

**kerouac** · 09-02-2009, 02:27 AM

I have a Contour I just realized, a great looking razor with a nice 70´s look to it - just haven't got a nice shave with it yet - used a thick blade that followed with the razor..donno if it's the blade.

Anyone got any tips? Really like the razor but the first shave was..a bit unpleasant. Maybe it just bad technique

Havent got any SE blades but I know there's a guide on how to convert DE blades so they'll work

**michiganlover** · 09-02-2009, 03:12 AM

Originally Posted by kerouac

Havent got any SE blades but I know there's a guide on how to convert DE blades so they'll work

Can you point me to that guide??

I can't imagine how in the world that would possibly work from an engineering standpoint, as the difference in thickness between the blades is quite significant.

The Gem was designed with the thicker blade in mind, so I don't think the thinner blade would work, the resulting blade would be too loose in the razor.

**kerouac** · 09-02-2009, 03:32 AM

http://japanshave.blogspot.com/2008/...pines-who.html

Found on JimR's blog - who is a member on this site.

I also found this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufG1d...eature=related

Maybe it's time to give SE shaving another go

**82R100** · 09-02-2009, 12:46 PM

He's showing how to convert Feather SE blades (which are actually Valet AutoStrop format) to fit a Gem format razor.

FWIW, conventional Valet blades are not as thin as DE blades.

- Chris

**Zumkopf** · 09-02-2009, 12:52 PM

SE blades are pretty cheap; I think Ted Pellas are $34 for 200, which works out to 17 cents a blade. You can buy them in smaller lots from BullGoose, among others, for 25 cents each. Why dink around with kluges that will likely get you cut somewhere in the process?

**Robxcarlson** · 09-02-2009, 01:04 PM

Originally Posted by kerouac

I have a Contour I just realized, a great looking razor with a nice 70´s look to it - just haven't got a nice shave with it yet - used a thick blade that followed with the razor..donno if it's the blade.

Anyone got any tips? Really like the razor but the first shave was..a bit unpleasant. Maybe it just bad technique

Havent got any SE blades but I know there's a guide on how to convert DE blades so they'll work

Go get the Gem by Personna blades... most easily found at Walgreen's... These are supposedly the same as Pellas - you can get 10 for $5 which isn't as cheap as bulk Pellas, but it's less cash up front and less daunting of a number when you just want to try the blades out... This Gem is the only stainless blade that I know of and in my experience by far the best.

**kerouac** · 09-03-2009, 03:44 AM

Thanks for all the tips guys, and sorry for hijacking the thread

Why dink around with kluges that will likely get you cut somewhere in the process?

True, it´s so cheap so it´s worth it just trying out the single edge blades and if I don't like it just sell the razor with blades, the only thing is that I'm located in Sweden so I'll try contacting BullGoose, how do one search for a member? ( tried the search function and that didn't work)

**AsylumGuido** · 09-03-2009, 05:09 AM

Originally Posted by kerouac

Thanks for all the tips guys, and sorry for hijacking the thread

True, it´s so cheap so it´s worth it just trying out the single edge blades and if I don't like it just sell the razor with blades, the only thing is that I'm located in Sweden so I'll try contacting BullGoose, how do one search for a member? ( tried the search function and that didn't work)

BullGoose is here