Thread: Single Edge Safety Razors

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

His coated blades for the Gem, Prod No. 121-3 are the best available SE blades for Gem types I'm aware of.

will let you know how they cut leather

Mike,

Good to hear from you as well. How's the single edge razor working out during the week?

John

Funny you should ask!! heheh.

After reading this thread, I decided that perhaps I should look at more frequent shaves that consume less time during the week, so starting on Saturday, I loaded up the Micromatic and my TTO Gem and went to work. I got one blade (blades were both previously used, but lightly) that was sharp and I got a great shave. Next day, next razor, next blade and YOW! needless to say, that blade disappeared and was replaced.

Next shave with the first blade and YOW!! nothing like a dull shave, regardless of the razor/blade used. Dull is dull, pulling sucks and the razor burn on the neck is testament to replacing this blade too.

Tonight I'm going with a brand new GEM Blue original ( or should I say Vintage) that I was able to score here a while back from a NOS supply. I could only get 20 blades, but I got what I could.

I love the old Gem blades best of any. I've been on the lookout for the PTFE coated ones, but haven't had time to track em down yet. But I will as soon as I need them for sure, heheh.

I've gotten more shaves in in the last 7 days (for one week) than I have in the last 7 months (during any given single week that is). I'm trying to get a schedule going. It's tough when your on call all the time.

Anyway, that's my story and I'm sticking to it!!!!

HammeR

Originally Posted by BobH

I have a 1924 Ever Ready SE open comb that is just a great shaver. Yea, I would say it is aggressive and reminds of shaving with an adze. You really have to watch your angle, probably good training for using a straight. Had to go across the border to buy blades, none available here at pharmacies.

Bob

I also have an Ever Ready SE. I thought I wasn't looking in the right places, because I can't find any here either! Like you, I guess I'll have to go across the border. It would be nice to actually try mine out, I've never had a blade for it.

I've only ever tried 3 kinds of blades. Gem Stainless, (made by Personna) which the Walgreen's in our town carries, and then Treet, CVS, Rite-Aid and Gem blues, all of which are the same carbon steel blade made by Personna (the backbone of the blade is marked "R9" on all of these). Personally I like the carbon ones, to my face they are a little smoother. The third blade I've tried are the ones available in any hardware store meant for scrapers. I found them completely unsuitable for shaving.

What about the Valet Autostrop razors? Does anyone have any experience with one of those? I'm familiar with how they work, but what are they like in use?

I've got a really nice one, but the regular gem blades won't fit them. No idea where to get the ones that fit.

Originally Posted by maddafinga

I've got a really nice one, but the regular gem blades won't fit them. No idea where to get the ones that fit.

razorbladesandmore.com has the Feather single edge that might work.

The problem is that the same model of Valet razor has different tab locations, so you could end up with a combo that won't match the cutouts on the Feather blades.

If you want to try some of the originals, PM me your mailing address and I'll send you some. I've got almost thirty of them sitting around here.

Hello to All,

I get my GEM PTFE Coated stainless blades from Connaught Shaving (as was mentioned earlier on in this thread) :

GEM Stainless Coated Single Edge Razor Blades

For me, the pairing of the GEM blades and the GEM & Ever-Ready SEs make for the finest shaving safety razors I have ever used

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

Originally Posted by c96mauser

razorbladesandmore.com has the Feather single edge that might work.

The problem is that the same model of Valet razor has different tab locations, so you could end up with a combo that won't match the cutouts on the Feather blades.

If you want to try some of the originals, PM me your mailing address and I'll send you some. I've got almost thirty of them sitting around here.

Are the original blades ok to use after all this time? Seems like they would just dull from oxidation.