Current production GEM razors today?

[sidpost]

What are the current production GEM razors today?

I say this looking for the Shield Stainless which is out of stock.

Atelier Durdan, Blackland, and others are being considered. What is available today and what is the rough price (thinking general terms not a price quote as some people WILL NOT buy a $300 razor and some people would "test the waters" at ~$50)?

Also, any special features worth noting like the Blackland Sabre changeable safety bars for blade gap/exposure changes.

 

[kingfisher]

Blackland Sabre, Wolfman WR4, Rochnel (can't remember the name of the model). Above the Tie used to make one but they stopped making it a long time ago. There might be others. I don't really use GEM razors anymore, so I haven't kept up.

There are a fair number of 3D printed models out there, but I don't know specifics about them.

The one that tempted me the most was the ATT because it looked really cool, but reports were rhat it was overly mild, even after they re-did it to make it more aggressive. I tried the Rochnel and didn't like it at all.

 

[tube_guy]

I haven't tried the latest version, but the older Blackland Sabre L2 is a really great razor. It completely redefined my opinions on the relationship between razor smoothness and efficiency, like no DE I've ever tried. I'm sure the new version's not cheap, but if it's like the older one, it's one of my favorites.

 

[86-foxtrot]

The Shield Predator SS is the only modern GEM I have tried. Very smooth every day shaving razor.

 

[Edgelord]

I want a new Blackland Sabre… but I doubt that I will ever spend that much money on a razor. I have found vintage GEMs new in box for $15. Those are about what I can justify.

 

[Old Hippie]

Modern Gemish includes some pretty good razors.

I really like the Wolfman WR3. I spent three years dithering over what gap to choose and in the end it wasn't my choice as I picked up a very nice one barely used with a 0.35mm gap and OC. I like to say it's the perfect razor, which is kinda cool because frankly there are other perfect razors. And I own a few.

Almost at the polar opposite of the Wolfman is the 3D printed "Mantis SE" by @SlimGem. So minimalist it's barely there, absolutely no bar or comb and nothing between you and the blade but hope and good intentions.

Both of those razors can give me a stunning BBS.

Another one that comes to my mind is the Phoenix Artisan Accoutrements Starling. I have the aluminum V2, which came with both SB and OC plates. The OC version gave me the first BBS I ever had wetshaving -- by definition the first BBS ever as I came from decades of electric which was just good enough for work. They now, I believe, have the V3 in stainless. I would have one, except that Wolfman came along and I decided that having the V2OC was good enough since I already know it works.

The Blackland Sabre needs no introduction. I had one with both L1 and L2 plates as they were made at the time. I'm sensing that I really like OC razors. I kept wanting the Sabre to be OC, but as it sat it was a lovely razor.

I think one of the great unsung is the ATT G1. Again, not an OC, and very very mild. At first I didn't like it much because of the mildness, exactly like a 1912. Then one day I bladed it up as a bailout razor while I was trying on a more aggressive one, and found it gave a very smooth and drama-free shave. Since then I've pulled it out occasionally and always get an uncomplicated shave.

O.H.

 

[Jose350]

I have Shield Predator SS & Brass and Atelier Durdan Vestige + & ++. They are all excellent razors.

 

[Fedsbackhand]

It will be a short list for GEM razors in production today. It sounds like all the main players have been mentioned already: Wolfman, Vestige, Sabre. Rocnel occasionally produces the SE-G but it's expensive and aggressive. The PAA razor disappeared. There is another maker MayPak on Instagram but I'm not convinced that the GEM razor has yet made it into production. And yes @Old Hippie there is an OC prototype.

 

[Lee Van Cleft]

I like GEM razors….have a few vintage ones and really liked how they shave so decided to get a current production Shield Ti version. Very well made and gives a close , smooth end result.

 

[Leverspro]

Modern GEMs give a fantastic shave and have been worth the investment for me. Currently I've been using the same GEM blade for about three weeks alternating daily between the Blackland and the Wolfman. They are a world of difference, in my experience, from the vintage, of which I have three or four.

 

[cpool222]

Where do you buy the modern ones?

 

[Leverspro]

Directly from those who make them if new. They're often for sale used on the BST.

 

[Lee Van Cleft]

Where do you buy the modern ones?

Check out Shield Razors on Ali Express. They are a reliable bet and make a Ti ,Al, Steel and Brass version of a GEM blade razor.

 

[albsat]

I like GEM razors….have a few vintage ones and really liked how they shave so decided to get a current production Shield Ti version. Very well made and gives a close , smooth end result. View attachment 1963582

I am curious. How do you compare this Shield model vs to Micromatic Clogpruf in smoothness and sharpness?

 

[Lee Van Cleft]

I am curious. How do you compare this Shield model vs to Micromatic Clogpruf in smoothness and sharpness?

I don’t have a Clogpruf so can’t really answer your question….I have used Ever Ready 1912’s, Shovelhead and the later Solid Bar models and the Shield is the better razor all round than those IMO.
It’s smooth and quite efficient but not prone to giving me irritation which impressed me considering how close it shaves.
It gives the sharp GEM blades a super stable platform to help them perform at their best . It’s a very good modern razor.

 

[albsat]

I don’t have a Clogpruf so can’t really answer your question….I have used Ever Ready 1912’s, Shovelhead and the later Solid Bar models and the Shield is the better razor all round than those IMO.
It’s smooth and quite efficient but not prone to giving me irritation which impressed me considering how close it shaves.
It gives the sharp GEM blades a super stable platform to help them perform at their best . It’s a very good modern razor.

Very interesting!

 

[shave/brush]

I had the ATT G1 and it was very close and smooth. That's the only new one I have tried. I like the looks of the Blackland Sabre.
If I were going to get another new GEM it would be the Sabre.

 

[Volmandan]

The Shield Predator SS is the only modern GEM I have tried. Very smooth every day shaving razor.

I 2nd this, fun to shave with, has me looking for a Sabre, and maybe PAA Starling

 

[FullBoar]

I am curious. How do you compare this Shield model vs to Micromatic Clogpruf in smoothness and sharpness?

I just picked up the Shield. Compared my Clogpruf, I would say that the Shield is much smoother and only slightly less efficient.