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1st shave with Gem 1912, SE-RAD here I come...

I got a Gem 1912 from the BST, received it yesterday, and shaved with it this morning.

At first I didn't like the way it felt :blushing:. My only shaving experience has been with carts, and, for the last few months, DE's. There's an odd "aggression" to the way that thick SE blade bears down on the hair. So maybe it felt aggressive as it shaved, and it certainly sounded aggressive (other reviewers weren't kidding about the audio-feedback given by the Gems), but by the time I had witch-hazled, Skin-Fooded, and after-shaved, I stopped thinking the term "aggressive" applied. My skin felt great. As little-damaged as it feels when I go with my "mild-combo" of EJ 89 and Israeli Red, but the Gem provided an even closer shave. BBS in most places, passably DFS for the rest.

Without a doubt the best "first-time-with-a-new-razor" shave I've had.

I am really quite impressed with its simplicity and effectiveness. :thumbup:
 
I understand. When I first started to use vintage razors to get away from cartridges, I liked the shaves from the old gillette de. Then I used schick injectors and thought they were even better. After that, I tried the gem mm and 1912. I think it's crazy that the further back in time that I go, the better the shave. How does Gillette continue to sell on "improvements" when the oldest design works better.
 

OkieStubble

Dirty Donuts are so Good.
Hey guys, I just picked up a gem 1912 a few days ago at a garage sale for 5 bucks.

Got any suggestions on what kind of blades I should be looking for and where I should get them?
 
Got any suggestions on what kind of blades I should be looking for and where I should get them?

I've been looking into this myself. I've been told that Walgreens and CVS both sell SE shaving blades (I've never seen them myself, but, of course, I was never really looking before).

There are also bulk packs available from lab-equipment providers (like these), and I was told to get the "PTFE" blades - but I don't know why, or what that means. And there's been some debate recently as to whether these blades are as good as they used to be.

I Googled the subject, and found some 5 or 10 packs of "Gem Personna" SE blades for sale, but I'm not sure if they're well thought of, and with shipping they get a little pricey.
 
I got a Gem 1912 from the BST, received it yesterday, and shaved with it this morning.

At first I didn't like the way it felt :blushing:. My only shaving experience has been with carts, and, for the last few months, DE's. There's an odd "aggression" to the way that thick SE blade bears down on the hair. So maybe it felt aggressive as it shaved, and it certainly sounded aggressive (other reviewers weren't kidding about the audio-feedback given by the Gems), but by the time I had witch-hazled, Skin-Fooded, and after-shaved, I stopped thinking the term "aggressive" applied. My skin felt great. As little-damaged as it feels when I go with my "mild-combo" of EJ 89 and Israeli Red, but the Gem provided an even closer shave. BBS in most places, passably DFS for the rest.

Without a doubt the best "first-time-with-a-new-razor" shave I've had.

I am really quite impressed with its simplicity and effectiveness. :thumbup:

I'm glad you like it Jason. The blades are the Gem stainless from Walgreen's.
 
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