Newbie here. Why does ppl are always looking at GEM 1912?
The one pictured is a later model 1914 ER, not a 1924, and is commonly called the Little Lather Catcher. I would hand over $19 without hesitation for one in that shape with a case and blade holder. The early models have very small blade stops and the blade tends to bounce on top of them or move backwards when the top plate is closed, the later ones like this one have much better stops that allow the blade to actually slide under them. The '14 is my second favorite SE, just a tick behind the 1912 Damaskeene.
I got one of those cases separately, and tried my Every-Ready 1912, 1914, and 1924 in it to see which would fit best. The 1912 wouldn't let the lid close. With the 1914 I could close the lid, but it wouldn't quite close all the way, that is, it snapped shut but then popped a little way open. With the 1924, it closes perfectly. There may be different varieties of the case, and the one in your picture may fit the razor that's in it. I agree that the razor in that picture is a 1914. CORRECTION. I was wrong. Insufficient coffee absorption and a small picture. That is a 1924 not a 1914. The 1914 would have "lift here" on the sides of the top plate.
Before spending any money on it the set, I'd make sure that the case snaps closed properly. Okay, I got that part right.
I prefer the 1912 to either the 1914 or 1924 as a shaver, although the 1914 is close. The loading mechanism on the 1914 is a little awkward compared to the 1912, although it's not really bad. The 1924 is a little less easy to shave with.
Mistakes left in so you know how much salt to take my opinions with.
^^It takes a sharp eye, but on Panda's pic you can see the sides dog leg inwards along the edges right where the top ends and the blade bed/comb starts becausevit is hinged at the back(1914). Yours just goes straight all the way along the edge because the top is hinged at the comb area(1924)
. . .(sorry for the tiny picture of my question one...I totally grabbed it off the Internet and it was all I could find). . .
Yeah it is the same razor, I basically tried to get the handle, the case and the head right in the picture I found. Since the blade fits and it is almost certainly the one with the writing and the little tabs that is good news.
One thing I will say is I tried to open it and was trying to be careful (as to not take part in a break it you buy it deal ). How much pressure should I have to apply to get the top to open?
Because it's simply the best safety razor ever invented, and an absolute pleasure to drive. Compared to the clumsy blade loading/unloading of the 1924 'shovelhead', the 1912 is the image of elegance and simplicity. It is plenty aggressive, but way safer than the 1914 or 1924 which are OCMM harsh in the wrong hands.
OP: I got a similar set on Ebay for $13.50 with 3 E-R blades that I continue to use use they take a wicked edge. Proceed with caution and the shovelhead will shave you well. YMMV
Well, we've established that I have been wrong at least once today, and possibly twice. I don't see "lift here" when I zoom in on the photo, it just gets blurrier, but if it is there, then it's a 1914 as you say. The OP has seen this in the shop, so he can tell for certain.
If that's true, then it may be in the wrong case. If the case doesn't close fully and stay closed on its own, then it is a mismatch.
Here is a picture of my own 1924 in a similar case. As I mentioned, a 1914 head won't let the lid close properly.
I hate to disagree but that is definitely a 1914. If you blow the picture up you can see the LIFT HERE, plus it has the little tabs on the sides of the top plate, plus the comb area and blade stop location is different than the 1924.