For some reason many of the GEM blades say for industrial use only. The blades I have from EMS and Ted Pella both have these legends and both are safe for shaving.
And Tom, you did a great job.
And Tom, you did a great job.
Single edge blade guide
- Thread starter HoosierTrooper
- Start date
- Thread starter
- #22
That picture was straight off the Ted Pella website. The boxes I've had from the group buys didn't say anything on them about being suitable for shaving. I don't have the boxes anymore, I threw them out. The boxes, not the blades!
It is along with some others http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showth...edge-razor-forum-Info-links-posts-of-interest
According to the packaging on this link, the Dorco blades are specifically for shaving:
http://www.dorcousa.com/dn52-single-edge-blades/
http://www.dorcousa.com/dn52-single-edge-blades/
What about these vintage SE blades (ignore the other stuff)?
PAL Hollow Ground
Star SE blades
Treet SE Blades
GEM Micromatic SE blades
So far, I've used the Treet and PAL Hollow Ground blades. The Treet blade was a tad rough. The PAL Hollow Grounds though were very smooth shavers. They also have the most unique edge as made obvious by their name. I have yet to try the others. I'll try to get better pics of the Hollow Ground blades next time I use one.
PAL Hollow Ground
Star SE blades
Treet SE Blades
GEM Micromatic SE blades
So far, I've used the Treet and PAL Hollow Ground blades. The Treet blade was a tad rough. The PAL Hollow Grounds though were very smooth shavers. They also have the most unique edge as made obvious by their name. I have yet to try the others. I'll try to get better pics of the Hollow Ground blades next time I use one.
great informative post as always Tom.
Thanks Tom, I needed this!
I just copied your post to a word document. It occurs to me that this will be a great insert to any SE razor gifting that I do. Thanks again.
CVS experience. I visited my local CVS to buy more of their SE blades. They were out. I looked on the CVS online store and they're showing "out of stock" on those blades. Looks like it's local store inventory only for the moment. I m ay try another CVS to find some.
OH NOES
Note to self, stop at CVS on the way home and pick up every package they have out.
Tom, super helpful guide. You consolidated info that was scattered in many places.
Thanks to whomever for making it a sticky.
I've also had the "rusting in the box" problem with Blue Stars.
I'll try the Pal carbon steels sometime.
Meanwhile, I now have maybe a lifetime supply of the PTFE coated SS type.
So, the 100 count boxes of 62-164-3 Gem SS blades do indeed say "for industrial use only", and my guess is that this means they are very sharp for medical prep work and not designed for paint scraping & window cleaning! And by now ASR may figure almost nobody is shaving their faces with this. Or if you are, they'd rather have you buy them at a higher profit margin in drug stores. But in any case, no worries, they are superb for shaving.
In the Atlanta area, I've looked for SE blades in drug stores and super markets (whenever I think about it and just out of curiosity) but haven't come across any for years. DEs have almost disappeared - sometimes see them, more often not now. We might be approaching the point where you'd have to order them, which is unfortunate. It would certainly be nice, while traveling by air, to bring the empty razor and know you could pick up blades at a local store.
Thanks to whomever for making it a sticky.
I've also had the "rusting in the box" problem with Blue Stars.
I'll try the Pal carbon steels sometime.
Meanwhile, I now have maybe a lifetime supply of the PTFE coated SS type.
So, the 100 count boxes of 62-164-3 Gem SS blades do indeed say "for industrial use only", and my guess is that this means they are very sharp for medical prep work and not designed for paint scraping & window cleaning! And by now ASR may figure almost nobody is shaving their faces with this. Or if you are, they'd rather have you buy them at a higher profit margin in drug stores. But in any case, no worries, they are superb for shaving.
In the Atlanta area, I've looked for SE blades in drug stores and super markets (whenever I think about it and just out of curiosity) but haven't come across any for years. DEs have almost disappeared - sometimes see them, more often not now. We might be approaching the point where you'd have to order them, which is unfortunate. It would certainly be nice, while traveling by air, to bring the empty razor and know you could pick up blades at a local store.
Ahhhh finally found a little more light on the subject! Please sticky this. Gem razors from walgreens check, CVS ones, not yet but ill try them out. But before i buy them are they are different right? Might not have read that right.
I feel your sentiment, i wish i could travel anywhere with my razor knowing i can easily find blades for it.
GEM From Walgreens are stainless steel. CVS blades are carbon steel. CVS blades will rust, take them out after each shave and put them on a towel with mineral oil to inhibit the rust.
Some people prefer carbon over stainless, some the other way around.
My preference is the industrial use PTFE coated GEM stainless steel blades.
Tom:
Very well done, my friend. Thanks for your efforts.
Enjoy your shaves.
Don
Very well done, my friend. Thanks for your efforts.
Enjoy your shaves.
Don
Thanks for the guide! helps a lot when it comes to SE blades. especially finding a source for the spineless feather blades.
Tom, brilliant. As usual.
Connaughtshaving in the UK is carrying the Feathers now aswell.
This is actually one of the cheapest SE blades I can find shipped to my country.
This is actually one of the cheapest SE blades I can find shipped to my country.
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Thanks for the info! I just ordered a 1912 and didn't really know where to get blades outside of amazon.com.
All my S/E razors are loaded with Gem Personna stainless blades or Pella ptfe's. Carbon blades are a waste of time and money.
They rust and dull way too quickly. For the purist,they should be classed as a hobby blade.
They rust and dull way too quickly. For the purist,they should be classed as a hobby blade.
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