Thread: Was given a GEM Micromatic

My dad gave me a GEM Micromatic Single Edge razor today. It still in the original display box. It also has the little box for storing extra blades. Some of those are also the orginal blades that say "GEM BLADE" on them in the orginal paper wrappers. (about 3 originals)

Under the hood of the razor itself is says "GEM Micromatic, Made in U.S.A."

The hood raising and lowering knob still works smoothly and the finish is reasonably intact.(gold color) Could anyone tell me something about it without picture? I'm working on getting the digital back to borrow in the mean time.

Thanks for your time.

I know they made straights for a couple of years and they are very good blades.

They're very good razors, but there is a learning curve. They're harder to use than a regular DE razor, and if you're not careful....

You can get blades from Tedd Pella dot come and look for coated stainless blades.

I have one and I use it regularly in my rotation. It provides a fine shave with the right blades. Mine is the early design with the open comb and 'antenna' style handle. Very Art Deco. Lemme see if I have a pic of it handy. It's in the foreground. A '21-'29 Old Type Gillette in the back. Give it a try!

I plan to give it a try. It'll be my back up and traveler.

I saw blades for it on amazon.com to.

thanks all.

Welp I tried the GEM out today.

Oh boy...that was an adventure. I encounter a much steeper learning curve than I did with my straight razor. I might try and get some new blades if I try it again. One things for sure I'm glad I bought the Toms of Maine shaving cream I used. I think that stuff saved me more than anything.

I think I'm just more of a straight razor kind of person. It was an interesting experience though.

Originally Posted by Disburden

They're very good razors, but there is a learning curve. They're harder to use than a regular DE razor, and if you're not careful....

You can get blades from Tedd Pella dot come and look for coated stainless blades.

Is there really that much of a learning curve? I gave a Gem to a friend of mine who had never used anything other than cartridges. I gave her the basic how to hold/angle/pressure talk, and she had herself a great shave (I suggested she not try ankles or knees, but she did her knees anyway). No cuts were reported.

Also, thanks for the info on getting blades, that saved me some hunting around.

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

Is there really that much of a learning curve? I gave a Gem to a friend of mine who had never used anything other than cartridges. I gave her the basic how to hold/angle/pressure talk, and she had herself a great shave (I suggested she not try ankles or knees, but she did her knees anyway). No cuts were reported.

I hated my Micromatic the first time I used it: I seemed to lose proper blade angle midstroke, and the shave came out patchy and rough. I've used it a couple of times since with better results, but I'd still rather use my L Type injector.

Goshawk