Shave Review: 1912 Gem Bar SE + Gem Coated SS Blades + Taylor Rose Cream = Perfect

I wanted to share with everyone the best shave I've had in... perhaps ever. I must have found the overlapping sweet spots of several products that compound their quality when used together, at least on my devilishly tough beard.

I used my 1912 Gem Bar single-edge razor loaded with a fresh Gem stainless steel coated blade. After a hot shower during most of which I lathered up my face with lavender soap, I lightly oiled my skin with Art of Shaving scentless pre-shave oil. I soaked my super-badger brush (which I seldom use) in hot water, then used it to make lather directly on my face with the Taylor of Bond Street rose cream.

The lather was rich and cushiony, more so than most other creams I have ever used. Upon the first with-the-grain pass, the razor glided like it was on slick ice--a feathery 2-finger hold being more than necessary to mop up most of the whisker on my face. I then lathered up again, with the same luscious result. Against the grain on cheeks and neck, across the grain on chin and upper lip. Voila'.

Two relatively quick passes (5 min total), and my face was not only TRULY smooth, but also felt good as if I had just gotten out of a spa. A moderate splash of classic Pinaud, and life was truly good. As for even the remotest hint of burn or nicks, absolute zero.

So, first time I use this particular combination, a success on all fronts. Irony: this was, time-wise, probably one (if not THE) quickest wet-shaves I can remember. Only problem: I will find it hard not to be tempted into using the same products over and over, which takes the fun out of experimenting... :nj

Anyone else ever had such a happy epiphany? I'm curious to hear your stories.

Blade angle with these and other SE's is the only answer to good shaves. The GEM should have the head almost flat on the face for best cutting and no burn. That head design went all the way to the end of the company making razors with differing handles. About 80+ years!
~Richard

I have an Ever Ready, which is pretty much the same thing, and I get smooth shaves from it. However, it has a very limited range in possible blade angle i.e. too extreme and it simply won't reach my stubble. Also I cannot get the same straight lines around my facial hair as with my straights. So for me, I feel I have much more control using a cut-throat.

I really like SE razors. While I prefer shaving with straights, if I had to choose one safety to keep it would certainly be an SE razor - probably the OCMM.

They're not going to work for everyone, of course, but they are good, good razors.

Corgi,

For me, the GEM/Every-Ready SEs, paired with the GEM PTFE coated stainless blades, are the best shaving safety razors I have :)

(I use an English Ever-Ready1912 & the US Micromatic Open-comb (MMOC) the most, but all of the family shave great for me :))

Have fun:)

Best regards

Russ

Congrats on your great shave Corgi, thank you for sharing.
I have a Gem that I haven't used yet because I was not sure of which blades I should try and where to get them?
At least now I know which blades to try but where should I look to purchase a few?
A hundred would be way too many for me?

Thanks for sharing your experience.

Only recently did I give in and tried some SE's and what I was afraid of happened. I fell in love and now have quite a collection :o

My favorites are the Eversharp, L'essor and the GEM Junior Bar.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Raol

At least now I know which blades to try but where should I look to purchase a few?

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Single Edge Blades | Razor Blades & More Co. is one option. There is a forum specialising in SE razors (TOST) which offers lots and lots of information about basically every SE ever made. They also have a conveniently accessible guide to SE blades.

Personally, I have been using SE razors a lot lately, both classic lather catchers (like the Simplex below) as well as "modern" GEMs. Simply good stuff, and a more than viable alternative to a cut-throat razor.

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I love the SE razors GEM and Ever Ready came out with. Once I found proper blades, I've never had a bad shave with any of them. And the fairly simple designs yielded great shaving tools with a wonderfully high durability. Lovely, all the way around.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Raol

Congrats on your great shave Corgi, thank you for sharing.
I have a Gem that I haven't used yet because I was not sure of which blades I should try and where to get them?
At least now I know which blades to try but where should I look to purchase a few?
A hundred would be way too many for me?

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Hi, Raol--sorry I'm seeing this only now. Single-edge blades can be bought at pharmacies such as CVS and Walgreens, and they will be perfectly good enough for a shave or two. The ones I bought are the ones reputed to be the best, and I bought them on Ebay. I am not familiar with what chain-stores you have in AB, but finding these single-edge blades should be straightforward enough. Good luck!

As strange as it may sound, one can purchase Personna Stainless coated blades from Connaught shaving in Great Britain, for a very reasonable cost, including the shipping. They are great blades. As well, Try-a-blade has a sample pack of SE blades one can purchase to try the various options out there.