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I have had this for a few weeks and finally got some blades.
I can maybe see where the thoughts about aggressiveness enter the discussion but I had no issues.
It is not perfect but very serviceable.
Another of my adventures into the history of shaving!
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It looks like a gem of a shaver.:o
Just got mine in the mail today for the 2nd place winner of the monthly give-away. Hope to give it a try in the next few days.
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:rofl2:,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Quote:
Originally Posted by Leatherstockiings
From what I understand yours is an open comb version a little earlier than mine which is a Clog Proof.Quote:
Originally Posted by Gasman
A North south stroke was very easy for me but in the opposite direction I had to hold it in at a little awkward angle. At least for myself!
Tim
[Sorry if I offend anyone in the Southern Hemisphere!]
Nice shavers those are. A little like shaving with an adze the top cap almost kissing your face. Really different from most DEs. The best blade that I have found to use in those is the Personna GEM PTFE coated stainless steel blades. Very sharp and smooth plus they won't rust.
Bob
Thanks for reminding me Bob. I forgot about the angle need with these. I do remember now that the top cap was almost flat on my skin last time I was using one of these. You might have saved me a lot of issues.
And yes, Mine is the open comb. Always did like open comb DE's and SE's. Still got my 1912 I think they call it. Spring loaded top plate. One of my favorite SE's beside the DE, OLD, (open comb also) I still have.
I use mine once in a while, the open combs are considerably more aggressive than the ones with the bar.
I use my gem open comb micromatic regularly. My favorite SE along with the Ever Ready Streamline.
The Gem Micromatic open comb will always be in my rotation.
What is the coating on yours? As you can see in the pictures of mine it is well worn. I was wondering how it would work for a test of Duracote or Cerakote. :thinking:Quote:
Originally Posted by Gasman
Gentlemen,
That's the GEM Micromatic Clog-Pruf (note the spelling). These are wonderful shavers, dating from around 1940 or so. I have two closed comb versions and love them, especially with my heavy beard. Ah, that's a sample of true American workmanship of bygone years. Good stuff.
How do these compare to the DE razors? Never used a SE before.
Nice looking GEM by the way.
In my opinion, FWIW, SEs are generally superior in shaving quality to DEs. There may be those who challenge this but most who have made the comparison come down on the side of the SE. NB by "shaving quality" I mean that combination of sharp and smooth that results in the closest and most comfortable shave. I would urge sceptics to get hold of a cheap SE like a 1912 pattern GEM and some modern stainless blades and give them a go. You won't be disappointed.Quote:
Originally Posted by JP5
The big drawback with SEs is getting hold of the blades. In the US you are not too badly off - you can buy them at a lot of drug stores - in this country we have to resort to the internet and buy them from the US or the UK.
+1^
I have a few old GEM razors and used with the Persona GEM stainless steel PTFE coated blades are very comfortable shavers that shave very closely. I think most people who try a GEM for the first time get the angle wrong resulting ion very uncomfortable shaves. These GEMs shave with the top plate almost touching the skin, like using an adze. You likely won't find blades for GEM razors in retail stores in Canada either. The internet is the way to go here too but it is less costly to do so that from OZ.
Bob
Gentlemen,
Bob is right, the proper angle on the GEM razors is important. I love my GEM razors and shave with the top plate almost flat on my face — maybe with a five-degree angle. These razors are a joy to use once you find the sweet spot. I find all to be smooth shavers, all except the Shovelhead, which I find a wee bit rough.
I too found the shovelhead a bit on the agressive side. And the 1912 gem to be the smoothest SE of them all.
Jerry,
I have the GEM Micromatic Clog-Pruf, Bullit Tip "Flying Wing," G-Bar, Featherweight, Shovelhead, GEM Junior and Pushbutton. Love them all, except for the Shovelhead. My favorite, though, is the Pushbutton. Smooth as silk. The Clog-Pruf and the Flying Wing, though, are not far behind. The one that gives me the closest shave is the GEM G-Bar. All good stuff.
Ive parted with all but 2 SE's. I let all go besides the 1912 but last month won the micromatic so now got two. I had collected as many different one i could find but when i went to Straights i gave them up except the one the was such a great shave. Its one of 5he first in its series. And the pating is not worn off.
