Thread: Why aren't single edge GEM razors as popular as DE razors?

Imho they require more care while shaving and potentially provide better results.

Many folks today have never even heard of GEM SE razors and saw their dads shaving with DEs. I just discovered them about a year ago and prefer them to the DE as I get a closer shave. Neither, however, beats the pure enjoyment factor from maintaining my own straights.

Many Many years ago I was watching TV and there was some high ranking official from either Gillette or Schick and he was asked what was so hard to make a good razor. He replied "It's not hard to make a good razor; it's hard to make millions of them!" I would suppose that this applies to blades and disposables. My ex-father in law was on 'The Gillette Shave Team' he received free blades in the mail and was to use each of them for a specific period of time and judge his shave after each use. Just FYI!

I have been thinking of trying SE razor for a while now... I recently found a nice Gem Micromatic clog pruf cheap. I am looking forward to testing it out.

i got about 10 of these things and don't know what to do with them :/

It was all about marketing. Gem (which I have used since 1965 until now) never could market to the degree that King Gillette did. Initially, Gillette practically gave away the razors, the idea was to mass-market the blades. Then Gillette got the contracts to the Army and Navy in WWI and later in WWII. When the boys came home, guess which one they bought?
Nowdays, I think it has to do with "boys and their toys" Gem has a limited selection of razors, and about three different blades suited for shaving, I don't count all the hardware cutting blades. Gillette however had MANY models over the years, and many different blades still made around the world to still play with. New DE razors are still made, not so with Gem. And with a bigger market, there are more surviving Gillettes to play with.
A DE will not shave as close as a SE if you know how to use it. The various Gllette style blades can vary widely in quality. The shaving quality GEM blades are usually good. A rigid blade (Gem) will, like a St8, cut better than the more flexible Gillette.

Actually there were Gem Micromatic double edge blades made.
GEM Double Edge Blades - Badger & Blade

See ya, Country Joe
Vintage Gillette safety razors, Gillette Razors, Vintage Razors, double edge safety razors for sale.

hey guys

Can anyone help me with info on my grandads Ever Ready SE razor that has a flip up top where you lay a single edge GEM blade, which looks like it doubled as a window paint scraper. I know of course that there is a difference in the scraper blades at the hardware store and these, which I bought at Walgreens, (a PACK OF 10 FOR ABOUT $5.) Has anyone tried these? The razor is in great shape. I have had it in our china closet sitting for years. I started shaving with a Dovo straight razor about 2 years ago and I love it! Closest shaves I have ever had so I decided to break the Ever Ready out to see how that worked.
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks guys.

Originally Posted by renegade64

hey guysCan anyone help me with info on my grandads Ever Ready SE razor that has a flip up top where you lay a single edge GEM blade, which looks like it doubled as a window paint scraper. I know of course that there is a difference in the scraper blades at the hardware store and these, which I bought at Walgreens, (a PACK OF 10 FOR ABOUT $5.) Has anyone tried these? The razor is in great shape. I have had it in our china closet sitting for years. I started shaving with a Dovo straight razor about 2 years ago and I love it! Closest shaves I have ever had so I decided to break the Ever Ready out to see how that worked.Any help would be appreciated. Thanks guys.

Gem's/Ever Ready's are awesome shavers and the Walgreens blades are among the best made for them today. Keep your prep the same as you would for using your straight. When it comes to the shave itself, use zero pressure and keep as flat a blade angle as the head of the razor allows. Take your time and you will be rewarded with one of the best non straight shaves you can possibly get.

Gem "Ted Pella" blades, gents. I love my Gem Triumph with pellas.