Credit where its due.

[TSWebster]

A while ago I started reading D.Irving79's posts about how awesome Gem razors were, I was intrigued so I tracked one down on ebay but only then figured out you can't buy single edge shaving blades in Australia and promptly forgot about the whole thing. Then just recently AsylumGuido sent me a nice selection of single edge blades as part of a trade so that I could finally try out a gem.

After delaying the shave for another week (I was busy and wanted to wait for a slow day to truly enjoy it) I had a shower and worked a generous helping of proraso pre shave into my beard letting the cream and the steam work their magic at softening my hair then broke out my trusty Simpson Chubby 1, whipped up some lather off my puck of Tabac and got to it. What resulted was my best shave so far, I'm still chasing truly BBS but this is the closest I've ever come to achieving it. I had a 2 pass shave with touch ups finished off with Proraso balm and I have a smooth, irritation free face that looks even better than when I use a DE.

Since this is after just one shave I'm not a total convert but it was an utterly fantastic shave so I just thought I'd thank those that made it possible, Gem for making my razor, D.Irving79 for getting me on the Gem bandwagon and AsylumGuido for helping me overcome my geographic handicap.

[AsylumGuido]

I'm happy that I could be a small part of this experience!

[D.Irving79]

happy to help. if you ever need any more, drop me a PM

[Darjeeling Express]

happy to help. if you ever need any more, drop me a PM

Be warned, Dave is the B&B honorary single edge enabler. He's dangerous and now you are forewarned. His enthusiasm is contagious, and his knowledge comprehensive. Bad combination. He hooked me good, and I too am grateful for it. I love those Gems, and their gorgeous too!

[D.Irving79]

hahahahaha. single edge razors deserve a chance too

[Haiku]

What a great post. You more or less beat me to it.

It was Dave's posts that got me started with my SE razors. I now own two 1912's, a G, a Micromatic and I have a bunch of others on the way.

And yes, I've become an SE convert.

[D.Irving79]

wow, youre off to a nice start

[tom myers]

Well, as long as everyone else is giving Dave his due relative to that SE promotional kick he was on for quite a while, I'll have to add my two cents worth.

Besides finding my very best shave in a Gem Junior lather catcher razor from the turn of the last century, I've become much more aware of the SE branch of my collection of razors also.

In the last two months or so, I've aquired so many little black cases with Gem's, Kampfe Stars and Ever-Readys in them that I think I'd better stop buying and start cataloging.

Have you noticed though, that once he got all of us hooked on SE's, Dave is off on a marathon run of consecutive shaves with a DE blade? You know, Dave, with good enough prep to soften everything up, I'm not sure but what I can do almost that many shaves from a PTFE coated stainless Gem SE, and it only has half as many cutting edges! I guess I'll have to start counting . . . I did just change blades in the Jr. about four shaves back.

Regards,
Tom

[D.Irving79]

thank you good sir.




and my kick is never ending....hahaha. i just wanted to expand things a bit

[Windwalker]

I just finished another great Gem shave. I was fine with just picking up a couple because they looked cool. Then I was researching info for them and found out you could shave with them, and now I am up to 3 Gems and 1 Ever Ready and counting. It is Dave fault, that's my story and I am sticking with it.

[Windwalker]

I just finished another great Gem shave. I was fine with just picking up a couple because they looked cool. Then I was researching info for them and found out you could shave with them, and now I am up to a 1912, a Micromatic, a Junior with a big handle and 1 Ever Ready traveler and counting. It is his fault, that's my story and I am sticking with it.

[BroJohn]

TSWebster --

Yes, the Single Edged GEMs are a great but underappreciated razor. They provide a smoooth, close and very comfortable shave. They shave as close as a Slant but without all the drama. Enjoy.

-- John Gehman

[bythbook]

Ms. Postperson dropped off a very shiney 1912 GEM "Demaskeene" (?) in brown calfskin (I think) box - a very plain handle on this one, unlike any I've seen - and the seller dropped in a very nice GEM Jr. So - not differentiating here between GEMs and Ever Readys, I now have two Micromatics (one is open comb, one clog-pruf, IIRC); a push button, four 1912s (in silver, bronze, & with different handles), a bakelite handle one that appears to be a featherweight. And two NOS featherweights on the way. I have that bad RAD.
My best shave EVER came from the bakelite handled one.
Gee, this is fun!

[tom myers]

Give that 1912 a fair trial. I think you'll find it to be the best of the group. I think the only way to get a better shave than with the 1912, is to go older.

My favorite is a 1900/1901 patent date Gem Jr. "lather catcher" model. I've tried many models of DE's and SE's and I can't find anything that outperforms this old model. I believe razor design reached it apex over 100 years ago.

Regards,
Tom

[D.Irving79]

I just finished another great Gem shave. I was fine with just picking up a couple because they looked cool. Then I was researching info for them and found out you could shave with them, and now I am up to 3 Gems and 1 Ever Ready and counting. It is Dave fault, that's my story and I am sticking with it.

[bythbook]

I loaded up my new 1912 tonight with a Pella for a little spin - a great shave (of course)! I missed a couple of spots - still learning to wield the little devil around my jawbone - but still.
I'm starting to believe that shaving technology peaked about 100 years ago (I'm DYING for an earlier GEM or Ever-Ready or Star or Kampfe) with the Gillette old style and the simple GEM... pair these guys up with modern blades and you can keep your Futurs and all.

Great razors! If you haven't tried one (GEM), pick one up... you'll be amazed and happy.