Thread: Old 'Gem' Razor SE?

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.

Originally Posted by Wintchase

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?

Thanks for the reply Wintchase, no, we don't have a Walgreens, I'm guessing that's like a Supermarket chain???
I'm actually re-considering the Gem now...