Gem double life blades

[scottydoint]

Does any one know when these were being sold? They come with a NOS gem set I have that is from England. It is a 1912 gem with an aluminum handle. The double life blades are very thick.

[copperhead]

For some reason i read this post title as Gem double edge blades!

[Shave Cat]

I'm curious too. They were came with a couple of sets I bought recently. I believe they are original to this set, as they are attached to the cardboard backing:



-Clarke

[AsylumGuido]

For some reason i read this post title as Gem double edge blades!

You mean like these?

[scottydoint]

Well here are a couple shots of mine.

[D.Irving79]

early 1920s. they were proceeded by the damaskeene.

[jrcrow79]

I have the same handle on the red box pic..Love it!

hey..marketing is marketing til you get bored of the same thing

[RocketMan]

You mean like these?

Thanx for posting those AG. I have a slightly newer box (I think they are newer anyway) and they started to call them "GEM Reversible" blades for the micromatic.

I only have the one pack and have never opened them up. Do you know if they would fit a 1912?? Have you any opened ones?

[AsylumGuido]

Thanx for posting those AG. I have a slightly newer box (I think they are newer anyway) and they started to call them "GEM Reversible" blades for the micromatic.

I only have the one pack and have never opened them up. Do you know if they would fit a 1912?? Have you any opened ones?

I don't think they will fit anything but the Micromatic. Note the verbiage on the box, "FOR GEM MICROMATIC USE ONLY". I have two or three boxes I think. If one is open I'll check out the actual blade. The pictured box is sealed.

[MrGuy]

My guess it that the blades will be notched out on the sides to match the "pins" on the underside of the Micromatic's cap. The cap also slides forward on the last 1/4 to 1/2 turn, probably to put a little pressure on the blade to hold it in place. This is all purely speculative on my part tho.

[AsylumGuido]

My guess it that the blades will be notched out on the sides to match the "pins" on the underside of the Micromatic's cap. The cap also slides forward on the last 1/4 to 1/2 turn, probably to put a little pressure on the blade to hold it in place. This is all purely speculative on my part tho.

That's what I was thinking, too. I'll post some pictures if I have an open pack or a loose blade. I wouldn't mind opening a single blade, but I would be hesitant to pop open a whole pack.

[RocketMan]

That's what I was thinking, too. I'll post some pictures if I have an open pack or a loose blade. I wouldn't mind opening a single blade, but I would be hesitant to pop open a whole pack.

Yeah - that has been my problem too - opening the full pack. I am thinking though that the advertising might be to help sell em and promote the Micromatic at the same time - still curious if they would fit something else.

My package has a drawing on it and it shows the pin slots on each end in the center, with an edge on both sides. Certainly no spine. I guess if it would work in an SE the upper edge would be damaged anyway so it would be pretty useless I suppose.

[D.Irving79]

since theres no spine, they wont work in a 1912

edit - they may, but the retention spring would be pressing against the opposite blade side, which has the chance of slippage.

[AsylumGuido]

since theres no spine, they wont work in a 1912

edit - they may, but the retention spring would be pressing against the opposite blade side, which has the chance of slippage.

Yup, and not to mention ruining the other edge.

[D.Irving79]

precisely. even with putting a spine over the other side, youd get the same effect, thus ruining the blade for nothing basically

[RocketMan]

Well - I have been set straight!!!! That's what I get for posting without thinking! Sheesh. Do I have to start thinking now too? Is that in the rules???

[Darjeeling Express]

Well - I have been set straight!!!! That's what I get for posting without thinking! Sheesh. Do I have to start thinking now too? Is that in the rules???

No thinking required here. Only an open mind.

[sprescott]

Here is a picture of the wrapper and blade.

Steve

[RocketMan]

Thanx for the post of the picture!

Well, it is pretty clear they wouldn't fit most Double edge razors. But, if I had one available to use I would still try jammin it in a 1912! Would be a pretty bad idea I suppose because you would wreck the blade - it is just the line on the wrappers of 'made to fit only GEM micromatic' that gets to me. They clearly are differentiating the micro from all other available DEs of the day and giving folks twice the bang for their buck over an SE blade - a good thought that didn't seem to work out in the long run.

But, I bet it would fit the 1912 gawl dern it!!!! Jam that sum b&txh in there!!!

Ok, Ok, so I'm not thinking again. Drooooooool

[MrGuy]

Steve,
Could you post a pic with a modern SE blade next to the Double Edge? I'm just curious to the size. Thanks for the pic by the way