Gem Micromatic

So I just picked up a lot of razors on Fleabay for a pretty cheap price, got 2 rolls razors (one is missing a piece but the other is intact) a Schick Injector (Plastic handle, I'm guessing circa 1970's) a unknown 3 piece DE (Kinda small, I think it's a Gillette but I need to get pics so somoene can tell me what it is ) a pretty beat up straight razor, and a Gem Micromatic twist to open SE razor.

The safety razors are all in pretty good shape and just need some cleaning and disinfecting to be usable, I am particularly interested in trying the Gem, but my question is where can I get blades for it? I find tons of single edge razor blades that would fit, but they are all for box cutters etc and I really wouldn't want to shave with them.....So can you still get blades for this?

Gem's are awsome shavers. They still sell blades for them at Walgreens and a few other places.

mcgyver74,

The single edge blades seem to be available in some retail shops (e.g. Walgreens) in the USA under a variety of names (GEM, PAL, Treet)

I use GEM PTFE Coated Stainless blades in all my Star/GEM/Ever-Ready razors and they give superb shaves :)

These can be obtained from :

Ted Pella (code 121-3) in the USA :Dissection Tools, Scissors, Blades, Forceps, Scalpels, Spatulas

and ConnaughtShaving here in the UK :GEM Stainless Coated Single Edge Razor Blades

Good shaving !

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

PS Blades for your Schick can also be obtained from Ted Pella (code 121-4) and Connaught Shaving (Injector Razor Blades)

Walgreens usually has GEM blades and they're fine.

any pics??

Some :)

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The injector is an 'L' Type Schick, I think (I could be wrong) - it should be pretty mild, but it is a good shaver. You can still get blades for it at CVS and the like.

The Micromatic is the 'Clog-Pruf' model. Medium aggressive, and an excellent shaver. The blades you can get at drugstores are pretty good. Make sure you pick the blades from the shaving section of the store. Utility blades look the same, but are not meant for shaving.

Finally, the DE is a fat-handles Tech. Pretty mild shaver, but it works really well with a Feather blade.

Thanks, I think you are right about the Schick, from what I have been able to determine it is an L7 championship, but I don't know what year it was from (late 70's or early 80's is all I can think of)

As for the rest, what approx age do you think they are? I am going to clean them up and give them a shot, I just ordered some blades for the Gem and the Schick off Amazon so once I clean them up and give them a good dunking in barbecide I will give each a test run :)

The Schick is approximately 1976, notice the red, white blue theme for the Bi centennial.

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Originally Posted by mcgyver74

Thanks, I think you are right about the Schick, from what I have been able to determine it is an L7 championship, but I don't know what year it was from (late 70's or early 80's is all I can think of)

As for the rest, what approx age do you think they are? I am going to clean them up and give them a shot, I just ordered some blades for the Gem and the Schick off Amazon so once I clean them up and give them a good dunking in barbecide I will give each a test run :)

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It's hard to tell with those GEM's - they were produced over a long period. The Clog-Pruf turned up towards the end of the SE era, though.

The Tech should be easy. On the underside of the head, there should be a date code (a letter and a number) or a serial #. If you can post that, it's pretty easy to look up the year of manufacture.

If you find the Schick to be too mild, try one of the E or G Type injectors. They're the most aggressive. They're also generally pretty cheap.

Well I have tried both the Injector and the tech...


Injector with a Schick blade - Really felt like it wasn't cutting anything at all, did 3 passes and still felt stubbly. Went back over it with a DE to get a DFS, will give it another shot but I am less then impressed... Oh well it was inexpensive to try out :)

Tech - Used a Feather blade, it is a very gentle shaver but really not aggressive enough for me to use as a shaver in my DE rotation (I use straights most of the time, but occasionally when running late I use my Merkur Progress), was able to get BBS but took 5 passes... Still, no irritation even with the feather which is nice.... Will keep this one in the stable for back of the neck touchups I think :)

Gem - Still cannot find blades for it, I ordered some online and the vendor sent me the wrong blades (Ordered 10 Gem super stainless and received Atra II cartridges????) hoping to give it a try in the next few days :)

will update once I try the GEM :)

As others have mentioned, Walgreens carries a decent Personna Gem blade (at they do least around here). I've used it and it gives a pretty good shave (YMMV).
Here's some info. You might need to scroll through page to find what they look like, but it will also indicate local stores which have them.
Razors, Blades & Cartridges - Shaving & Grooming - Personal Care | Walgreens

So am I the only one out there that cant use a Gem??? I have two and I cant do anything but turn my face into meatloaf.... whats the secret???

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Originally Posted by alb1981

So am I the only one out there that cant use a Gem??? I have two and I cant do anything but turn my face into meatloaf.... whats the secret???

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Zero to almost negative pressure and keep the blade at as shallow an angle as you can get.

for the GEM, whatever you do, don't buy the single blades from Homedepot (they look the same).... But they are definitely not..

Yeah, I figured that :) I think the blades are made by Personna.... Going to head to Walgreens to see if I can find em :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by alb1981

So am I the only one out there that cant use a Gem??? I have two and I cant do anything but turn my face into meatloaf.... whats the secret???

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The secret is to send them to me so your face is saved. :D lol.

Seriously, no pressure, proper angle of attack, and using a high quality blade like Gems from Ted Pella.

Hello to All,

There are some video tutorials on using the GEM razors; the most referenced are by Mr Guy :

MrGuysRazors's Channel - YouTube

General search for 'GEM Razor' on YouTube :

GEM razor - YouTube

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

Well, after going to 3 different Walgreens I finally found one that has the blades so I gave her a test run this morning.

Wow, this is one AGGRESSIVE razor, I somehow managed to NOT cut myself, but I found myself really having to concentrate to no put any pressure, and it is MUCH more sensitive to dry lather then even my straights are.

Over all it gave me a DFS, but the jury is still out on if I like it, I like that it will mow down even my stubborn chin whiskers, but I really find myself concentrating when using it which is a little tiring...

Guess I need to try a few more shaves and see how she works out, :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mcgyver74

Well, after going to 3 different Walgreens I finally found one that has the blades so I gave her a test run this morning.Wow, this is one AGGRESSIVE razor, I somehow managed to NOT cut myself, but I found myself really having to concentrate to no put any pressure, and it is MUCH more sensitive to dry lather then even my straights are.Over all it gave me a DFS, but the jury is still out on if I like it, I like that it will mow down even my stubborn chin whiskers, but I really find myself concentrating when using it which is a little tiring...Guess I need to try a few more shaves and see how she works out, :)

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Just think. The Micromatic Clog-Pruf is considered the mildest of all the Gem models. The most agressive I've found so far is the 1912 Damaskeene.:)

:dropjaw: if this is "Mild'" compared to others, then that scares me :)

Hell I find this more aggressive then my STRAIGHTS :)

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Originally Posted by mcgyver74

:dropjaw: if this is "Mild'" compared to others, then that scares me :)Hell I find this more aggressive then my STRAIGHTS :)

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I've owned and used many different Gem's and they are all aggressive. Of the ones I've had, the Clog-pruf was the mildest followed by the Gem Jr., then the Micromatic open comb, the 1912 and finally the Damaskeene. I'm convinced that the Damaskeene is only one step away from just holding the blade in your fingers and trying to shave. Super agressive, very unforgiving and a pure pleasure to use.

Wow, gonna have to check out one of the other ones.... I LOVE me some aggressive razors :)