I'm in the middle of my #4 Old Post Road trial. Next week I'm going all SEs to see what all of the fuss is about
The flat head one came in a covered wood case, has the "use only damaskeene blades" stamp inside and "gem cutlery co" stamping on the back.
The curved head one comes in a metal case, fancier handle and just has "gem brooklyn new york" inside, and nothing on the back.
Due to the type of box and the stamping on it, I always thought my flat head razor is older than my curved head one.
Hey Jeff, good to see another guy start on the SE journey. Keep trying out more blades and SE razors. When I started SE shaving with the Micromatics, I could only handle two days in a row before I needed to break out the Gillette Tech for a few shaves and give my face a break. I could go for months now with the Micromatic, we'll see how long I can hold out with the 1912
BTW, As a "tribute" to 1OldGI, I just set out my fat handle pat. 1912 GEM Jr. for tomorrow's shave.
between basic stamping and minor technical changes, the age and order of the 1912s can be determined, which i have information on that everyone will hopefully find most interesting.
Jeff, I've heard a lot of guys praise the G-bars, I have yet to finish a satisfactory shave with one. During my "testing" with the 1912, I think I'm going to have to do a week of each GEM style I have, try to become a "master" of each one. There's only one way to see if the G-bar will be good for you
I like the GEM SE's. I have three, the Micromatic, the Junior and a 1912. I wish I'd have seen this post when it was fresh so I could have done it with you. Maybe I'll try the 1912 with a fresh Gem stainless tomorrow. Still would like to buy 25-50 of the Ted Pella blades to see if they are better than the ones I get here. Cheaper they would be. Someone want to take on a group buy?
Well do you have any information on the shape of the head. Some have said the older ones had a more curved beak-like shape and the newer ones were flatter.you people are going to make your heads spin
between basic stamping and minor technical changes, the age and order of the 1912s can be determined, which i have information on that everyone will hopefully find most interesting.
The Roll's is a different beast.If you don't get the blade sharp enough,the quality of the shave will suffer.Work on the blade,even if it requires honing on a norton or similar stone and your results will improve immesurably.Drama free and no blood for me either this time.
I have been stropping and honing my rolls and started with that though for todays shave.
Unfortunately, that's still shaving like a blunt derby, fine on the cheeks, murder on the throat and chin. So I used the GEM for two passes after the one pass with the rolls.
I might be getting my micromatic late next week, but postage is slow.
If I get the rolls sharp enough, I'm up for a week of rolls.
But if I get the micromatic soon, (I've been waiting 2 weeks already), I'll join you. I've heard that's more aggressive? That might be what I need, then again, it could be the blade as I'm only using GEM bluestar.
I haven't got a close shave with the 1912, more like the closeness of what I get out of a superspeed and IP, red personna, or gillette blade. Although I do like the GEM, it does it quicker than a DE so I'm happy to use it for a quick daily shave.
edit:
Well do you have any information on the shape of the head. Some have said the older ones had a more curved beak-like shape and the newer ones were flatter.
My damaskeene GEM with the knurled handle, wooden box and GEM cutlery co on the backthat I posted photos of in another thread, you said was the first or second version after the open comb type, that razor has a flat head.
And the newer type with only "gem, brooklyn, new york, made in the USA" on the inside, and nothing stamped on the back, with the grooved handle and metal box, actually has the more curved head.
A couple people have posted here and said the curved head is the older design, which makes no sense
I hope to find out your interesting information one day.
Thanks for all the help given so far though, you've been extremely helpful.
It's just the suspense is killing me
Yeah, I've been working on the rolls for hours, so much so that I've got blisters working the handle. I've been honing and stropping a fhundred + times every day for the last 4 days as it has a bit of chipping and corrosion on the razor edge when I bought it.The Roll's is a different beast.If you don't get the blade sharp enough,the quality of the shave will suffer.Work on the blade,even if it requires honing on a norton or similar stone and your results will improve immesurably.
Drama free and no blood for me either this time.
I have been stropping and honing my rolls and started with that though for todays shave.
Unfortunately, that's still shaving like a blunt derby, fine on the cheeks, murder on the throat and chin. So I used the GEM for two passes after the one pass with the rolls.
I might be getting my micromatic late next week, but postage is slow.
If I get the rolls sharp enough, I'm up for a week of rolls.
But if I get the micromatic soon, (I've been waiting 2 weeks already), I'll join you. I've heard that's more aggressive? That might be what I need, then again, it could be the blade as I'm only using GEM bluestar.
I haven't got a close shave with the 1912, more like the closeness of what I get out of a superspeed and IP, red personna, or gillette blade. Although I do like the GEM, it does it quicker than a DE so I'm happy to use it for a quick daily shave.
edit:
Well do you have any information on the shape of the head. Some have said the older ones had a more curved beak-like shape and the newer ones were flatter.
My damaskeene GEM with the knurled handle, wooden box and GEM cutlery co on the backthat I posted photos of in another thread, you said was the first or second version after the open comb type, that razor has a flat head.
And the newer type with only "gem, brooklyn, new york, made in the USA" on the inside, and nothing stamped on the back, with the grooved handle and metal box, actually has the more curved head.
A couple people have posted here and said the curved head is the older design, which makes no sense
I hope to find out your interesting information one day.
Thanks for all the help given so far though, you've been extremely helpful.
It's just the suspense is killing me
Maybe looking at these photos will make more sense. The brass headed black handled Gem is a late model 1912. The head is flat (this one with a bevel at the end).
The razor shown in the ad is an early, Damaskeene model. Notice the pronounced curve to the cap, no bevel.
Yeah, but here's mine: http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showpost.php?p=1074586&postcount=42Maybe looking at these photos will make more sense. The brass headed black handled Gem is a late model 1912. The head is flat (this one with a bevel at the end).
But the ad copy says that the razor has been on the market for at least 25 years (at the time of the ad) so this would imply the pictured razor is a late model, not an early model. Or do you think the ad was picturing an early model to emphasize the history? I think they would picture a current model since that is what they were trying to sell.
The ad could just be referring to any GEM razor, not just the one in the ad itself. When a company makes a new product they tend to bring up how long they've been around. I don't know tho, I'm no "Dave". Just an idea.
EDIT: I'm no "Mikeyk" either
Do you have a photo of the head of the Gem Cutlery Co razor? If the head is truly flat, then the cap was changed. (I am assuming you are talking about the cap in all of this). The cap on the first model, open comb razor is exactly the same as the Damaskeene Gem with the knurled handle and the Gem Cutlery Co c 1915. It is a bird-like cap.
Deve? Please?