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Hi,
I shave mainly with straights, but have a DE for Saturdays (Mühle R 89). I saw a 1910 Gem on SOTD today and liked the look. I found a few Gems on the 'bay, and did a bit of research (but I admit not a lot. I have some questions. I'm sure if Obie is watching he'll have all the answers. Can you buy single edge blades readily? Are they reasonably priced? Other than the nicety of shaving with a razor from 1910 or so, is it actually worth investing the few (20 odd bucks) in getting one?
Have been wondering about SE blade availability lately too... Look forward to the experts chiming in!
I tried looking locally, but couldn't find anything reasonably priced (or certain it was suitable for shaving with...seemed to be aimed at medical people iirc).
I got some from these guys: Razor Blades and More Co. | For all your blades and razor needs!
There are others of course, so shop around.
Short answer, yes -but probably order from overseas.
All the best,
Michael
I havea Gem... I am definetly not an expert, but I have an Se Gem, De's, and str8ts. I have the most experience with st8ts. I bought the Gem and used it a couple time. To be honest it is akward to hold and I don't care for the shave compared to a st8t or a DE... But, they can be had for a cheap price on ebay and that is what this site is all about "exploration". So pick one up and try it. Your experience may be different. Ih
I hear there is a fan base that loves them... Just don't buy the home depot blades (they are not sharp enough). You can get SE blade at Walgreens. Good luck and report back if you get one!
Sorry, i justread that youlive in Oz. i don't know. If they have Walgreens?
I recently acquired a Gem SE and love it. I find it easy to use and get a great shave with it. It has a permanent spot in my safety razor rotation. As for blades, look here...Double Edge Safety Razor Blades | West Coast Shaving
Gems are great shavers. Just about as close as you can get to a straight razor shave with a safety razor. Not sure about where you are, but here in the states, SE blades can be found at just about any pharmacy. The SE blades found in hardware stores work but don't give that great of a shave. If I'm not mistaken, the medical prep blades are the same thing as the ones sold for shaving. Many people swear by the Gem blades sold by Ted Pella online.
+1 on Walgreens if they have them there. I've got a 1912 model Jr. and a slant bar and the Walgreens' GEM SE blades (Personna) found with the other blades in the shaving stuff area (to differentiate from hardware stuff) are pretty good and work well. Those are the same blades above too from the West Coast Shaving.
SE's are great shavers and they can be had for a very reasonable price. My favorite is the 1914 Ever Ready. The Gem or Treet Blades can usually be found in some drug stores with the razor blades. There is a big difference in scraper blades and shaving blades even though they look the same.
You can buy them as well from Ted Pella on line and the one to buy IMO is the coated stainless blade. Enjoy yourself, but be careful the angle you use on these is quite flat on your face. You can get a good scrape or worse with the wrong angle and much pressure. They usually have a very quick and satisfying learning curve.
Will N.
+1 on the Ted Pella blades. You get the best deal from them - 200 blades for $34.45, here's the code for the coated ones: 121-3 BLADES,S/S,PTFE TREATED,PK/200. For cheaper delivery, ask them to use USPS - it's not listed on their web order page, but they DO offer it if you ask them.
I have become an SE convert - I have acquired a few: GEM, Ever-Ready, and a really nice Kampfe Brothers Star. My favourite is an Ever-Ready Streamline (UK made) - I get a BBS every time. Next is an old Ever-Ready Lather Catcher which is just as good.
Thanks for the reply Wintchase, no, we don't have a Walgreens, I'm guessing that's like a Supermarket chain???Quote:
Originally Posted by Wintchase
I'm actually re-considering the Gem now...
I inherited my grandfather's GEM a while back, I also have around 5 DE's and I prefer the GEM over all of them.
I had a similar problem finding SE blade myself, however a member in the UK was kind enough to send me some GEM PTFE coated stainless blades . You can get them from overseas but they mainly sell in bulk like 100 blades at a time, which is a lot of blades if you dont even know if you like them or not.
You could PM some of the SOTD boys who use Gems and ask them for a link to a good supplier.
If it makes it easier on postage etc I would be happy to go halves in a box of 100 if you like.
Grant
carlmaloschneider,
If you would like some GEM PTFE Coated Stainless blades to try, please PM me with your address and I will send you some :)
The GEM/Star/Ever-Ready SE safety razors are fine shavers :)
Have fun !
Best regards
Russ
Hi PhatMan,
Thanks for that! I'll take you up on the offer if I decide to the the Gem.
Hi Grant,
Yeah, good idea re sharing! Also, thanks for the review on the Gem. I'm unsure if I'll get one or not, but I'm thinking maybe I will... :-)
Have just bit the bullet on an Ever-Ready SE after reading over this thread the last few days. Will throw up a pic when it shows :-)
Keen to chip in on a box of blades if any Aussies decide to pick one up ;-)
Really? I'm still anguishing over it....Quote:
Originally Posted by EisenFaust
Yeah, you do that a bit don't ya Carl?! You know you always give in, in the end, so why worry yourself and, just do it! :)
Mick
Hell yea! ride the RAD! At least your not buying a $200.00 Fat Boy just to give DE's a go...
Here's a link, Dissection Tools, Scissors, Blades, Forceps, Scalpels, Spatulas
The 121-3 (PTFE coated) blades are probably the best but any of these would work. The 121-22 comes in 5 dispensers of 10 blades a piece and is a good bit cheaper. I was ready to order them in bulk and then figured out that they are available locally at drug stores and even grocery stores.
GEM micromatic is my favorite, I love gems though, all of them. The Ted Pella blades are my favorite.
I do tend to over think things, plus I have a very powerful she who must be obeyed, who I'm starting to think is an aggressive lesbian (not that there's anything wrong with that...)...Quote:
Originally Posted by MickR
:rofl2:Quote:
Originally Posted by carlmaloschneider
I think we might be married to the same woman mate!
Mick
The 1912 variety of the Gem SE is generally the most popular among SE fans( well except for lather catchers), and of the ones I have tried is certainly my favorite. It is also very cheap on bay ( mien was 6 bucks including shipping for a pretty decent user grade). It gives me some very close shaves, but it does take a lot more attention than a DE. In most ways an SE is kind of in-between a DE and a straight. it isn't my everyday shaver, but I always enjoy it when I break my 1912 out. As others have said, be sure to use either the coated lab pella type blades or actual blades intended for shaving. Hardware store blades will not make you a happy camper.
Thanks for the advice, Sargon, but I've actually re-thought the 'nother DE scenario. I think I need to concentrate on getting the next SR, and commit to saving up for the one I want. I keep getting side tracked. There's so many side tracks...
As promised earlier here's the little Ever-Ready SE set I picked up for next to nothing. The razor and the containers are in fantastic condition, (the razor has an old soldiers' name and unit number scratched into the head though) while the heavy metal box and blade boxes are a little tarnished (I'll be fixing that however). I did throw away the horrid old wad of soap that was in one container - I love vintage stuff, just not moldy 100 year old soap - eek. The old brush is a goner too. Cheers!
Thank you for buying me such a nice Christmas present. ;) Great score.Quote:
Originally Posted by EisenFaust
It's worth it if you are curious. I enjoy using one once in a while. I will add that I'm a little more careful when I use it because I'm more familiar with DE razors. This indulgence isn't going to break the bank, so why not go ahead? :shrug:Quote:
Originally Posted by carlmaloschneider
Yeah, I think I will get one sooner or later, but at the moment I've decided to stay on track and get the straight I'm after, a nice Reviser with a Spanish Point. I need to save up for maybe two months to be able to afford it, so I've gotta keep on track ;)
Not to throw gas on the fire but IMHO single edge razors are grossly underrated. On an entirely level playing field, without King Gillette's tons of money and marketing campaigns, I think a single edge of almost any variety will consistently out shave a double edge. I own several of both and while the Fatboy with a fresh blade is a wonderful shave, it still can't touch any of my single edge razors. They are also a far closer simulation of a straight razor shave, nice and aggressive, with a very rigid feel (as opposed to the soft flexible feel of most DE razors.)
Why IS that 1OldGI? I have really only used one DE (two if you include the disastrous attempt with the Army issue one, a Gillette G2000 I think, or similar). The one I have is a Mühle R 89. I understand that open comb razors like the R41 expose more of the blade. I read here today that the actual blade 'sticks out more'. Is this the same as a SE razor? Is the blade more exposed? I know on a DE the blade actually bends in an arc; I guess this is not the case with a SE razor?
Unlike a DE blade, a SE blade has a "spine" of sorts not unlike a straight razor. I would guess that this thick spine probably accounts for the rigidity. SE blades are also much, thicker and yes, more blade is exposed in a SE razor.
Oh, OK, thanks...