What Gem / Ever Ready razor models use modern SE blades?

**James1983** · 10-03-2010, 09:41 AM

Hello,

I am looking to get a SE razor preferably a Gem, however some models you simply cannot get blades for. Anyone use one and know of what model I should get that will use a standard modern SE blade like the ones in the link below?

http://www.tedpella.com/dissect_html...#anchor1606431

Thank you.

James

**Loric** · 10-03-2010, 09:57 AM

I have several 1940's~1980's Gems and have never had a problem with modern SE blades fitting in them. I would suggest looking for a Push Button model as I find it to be the easiest to use and most forgiving. Just keep in mind that they are in my experience all aggressive so you should be careful with any you choose. The Gem Micromatics also seem to be very nice and cheep to come by.

You may wish to hold off on buying the Ted Pella Blades for right now. I had a pack of Wallgreen GEM blades that were very good. So I took the plunge and ordered 200 of the Ted Pella Gems (minimum order), and found them to be very rough and not smooth in the least. This seems to be a common occurrence for them lately. It is a shame really as they had a Stirling reputation prior to this latest batch.

**Bertilak** · 10-03-2010, 10:29 AM

Look at the patent date.

I have several GEMs and Evereadys and all of them with patent dates 1901 or later take today's SE blades. (All my 1901 are actually 1900/1901.) Certainly all the "1912" and later models work with today's SE blades.

I have one with 1898/1900 patent dates and another even older (Pat Pending). These only take the wedge shaped blades. I think this is by design. Perhaps SE blade similar to todays didn't even exist at the time. On the 1898/1900 it may be that the little tabs that hold the blade back are just too worn down.

I have a French made PAX (no patent date shown but I guess somewhere near 1900) which seems like it should take a standard SE blade but I just can't get the blade to stay put. The tabs seem OK but the blade wants to move around sideways and it slips off the tabs.

**alex2363** · 10-03-2010, 12:13 PM

GEM co. took hold EVERREADY and ZINN(WEDGE RAZOR BLADE) in 1905, all gems/evereadys made after 1905 were non wedge. so after 1906 all GEM took the single edge blades

**Sami_Sdata** · 10-03-2010, 12:32 PM

My 1912, Micromatic and Clog Pruf all work fine with any modern SE blade. The 1912 seems to be the least aggressive. It might just seem that way to me because I've used it the most. It was the first SE I bought and still my favorite.

**Haiku** · 10-03-2010, 12:44 PM

As I understand it, all GEM razors no matter what year work fine with modern SE blades. Generally, all Ever Ready razors also work fine with modern SE blades. The blade design hasn't changed as I understand it.

I stand to be corrected but I understand that there are a few SE razors from the very earliest years that took a wedge blade and modern SE blades wouldn't fit. This would include some very early Star, Kampfe and perhaps some Ever Ready razors. By "early" I mean late 1800 to early 1900's.

**Mike'sWorld** · 10-03-2010, 12:47 PM

Originally Posted by Loric

I have several 1940's~1980's Gems and have never had a problem with modern SE blades fitting in them. I would suggest looking for a Push Button model as I find it to be the easiest to use and most forgiving. Just keep in mind that they are in my experience all aggressive so you should be careful with any you choose. The Gem Micromatics also seem to be very nice and cheep to come by.

You may wish to hold off on buying the Ted Pella Blades for right now. I had a pack of Wallgreen GEM blades that were very good. So I took the plunge and ordered 200 of the Ted Pella Gems (minimum order), and found them to be very rough and not smooth in the least. This seems to be a common occurrence for them lately. It is a shame really as they had a Stirling reputation prior to this latest batch.

+1 on the blades. After geting a very good shave with Walgreen's blades I ordered 100 of the EMS blades (used for cutting electron microscope samples, I understand). These were their highest quality blades, stainless steel with PTFE coating. I think I now have 100 box cutter blades.

**Bertilak** · 10-03-2010, 12:56 PM

Originally Posted by Haiku

I stand to be corrected but I understand that there are a few SE razors from the very earliest years that took a wedge blade and modern SE blades wouldn't fit. This would include some very early Star, Kampfe and perhaps some Ever Ready razors. By "early" I mean late 1800 to early 1900's.

As I said above I have a GEM that does not take standard SE blades. it is Pat 1898/1900. Here is a picture.

**Haiku** · 10-03-2010, 12:58 PM

Originally Posted by Robert Paulsen

As I said above I have a GEM that does not take standard SE blades. it is Pat 1898/1900. Here is a picture.

Well I stand corrected. It looks like there are very early GEM razors that also need wedge blades. One learns something new every day around here!

**alex2363** · 10-03-2010, 01:28 PM

Originally Posted by Haiku

Well I stand corrected. It looks like there are very early GEM razors that also need wedge blades. One learns something new every day around here!

yes, thats why i posted this from my waits razor enclopedia...GEM co. took hold EVERREADY and ZINN(WEDGE RAZOR BLADE) in 1905, all gems/evereadys made after 1905 were non wedge. so after 1906 all GEM took the single edge blades

**Bit2** · 10-03-2010, 03:16 PM

Originally Posted by alex2363

yes, thats why i posted this from my waits razor enclopedia...GEM co. took hold EVERREADY and ZINN(WEDGE RAZOR BLADE) in 1905, all gems/evereadys made after 1905 were non wedge. so after 1906 all GEM took the single edge blades

Thanks. Good info to have.

John

PS I prefer the Walgreen's Blades to TP or EMS.