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

Thanks Theseus! You were absolutely right. Last night I used the Ever Ready with Gem blade. i had a few days thick beard growth and the razor took it off like it wasn't even there. Gotta be careful about going over the same spot twice. Even with a light touch, that blade, with too much pressure, will take off your face. The men using these razors back in the 30's and 40's had to be animals! Used every other day and for some every day, god bless em.
I'm not sure when he purchased this razor, but the patent date on it is 1912. I'll be using it and my Dovo cutthroat back and forth.

Thanks again Theseus.

Originally Posted by renegade64

Thanks Theseus! You were absolutely right. Last night I used the Ever Ready with Gem blade. i had a few days thick beard growth and the razor took it off like it wasn't even there. Gotta be careful about going over the same spot twice. Even with a light touch, that blade, with too much pressure, will take off your face. The men using these razors back in the 30's and 40's had to be animals! Used every other day and for some every day, god bless em. I'm not sure when he purchased this razor, but the patent date on it is 1912. I'll be using it and my Dovo cutthroat back and forth.Thanks again Theseus.

Glad to be of help.

Originally Posted by aroliver59

The Gems and the Evereadys were both produced by "The American Razor Company" - not Gillette. Double edge blades became more popular because they were "newer" and more practically, had two sharpened edges to shave with, giving you twice the shaves from one blade.

+1. The American Safety Razor company still lives, producing GEM and Personna blades. They also make many of the store-brand DE blades you see on drugstore and supermarket shelves. I personally get much better results from my GEMs than from my DEs. The thicker, more rigid steel of the GEM blade compared to a DE blade mimics a straight and gives excellent shaves. They are how I got interested in straight shaving.

First vintage razor I ever bought was a Gem Jr. with the big bakelite handle at a garage sale for $0.50. That was about 3 years ago. Did a little googlefu, and picked up some GEM blades at Walgreens. Man, the first time I saw that edge coming towards my face I was shaking so bad. Had to sit it down about 1/2 dozen times before I worked up the nerve to try it. Low and behold only one weeper and a pretty nice first experience. I've got a handful of GEM's and Eveready's, but my favorite to use is the Damaskeene with a Ted Pella blade. Gives me a closer shave than any of my DE's. One of the reasons that I ended up here after inheriting some straights. Sending my first off to be honed this week so I can give it a try.

SE's are becoming more and more popular as DE shavers are discovering them again. I have a friend who has collected everyone he could get off the 'bay and he swears that they shave ever bit as good as his Str8's.

Right now they are still fairly inexpensive, but like all things, the more they get discovered the higher the value will go.

Enjoy it!! They are wonderful...

M

Late to the party with this Necropost. I recently started shaving with Gem micromatic I acquired with a lot of straight razors.

I am truly amazed by the quality of the shaves this razor provides! I haven't shaved with a disposable blade for 2 years. This is the first time a safety razor has provided me a shave that is at par with a straight razor.

I'll add to the Necropost too. The Gem 1912 I use will also give a SR a run for the money and so will early Gillette OC DEs. I believe these types of razors would be called "aggressive" by most current DE users and I think that is why they can rival the SR in a shave. It is also probably why they are not as popular with new generation DE shavers as they require a shaving technique that is the same as for a SR and not one a "milder" more modern DE will let you get away with. That is just my opinion and as always YMMV applies.

Bob