First SE shave: Gem vs. Gem Junior

[FormerDATT]

I have stockpiled a Gem 1912, a similar Ever-Ready, and a Gem Junior to try my hand at a SE shave. My experience, for what it is, has been Super Speed varients, Tech's, and the classic FatBoy. I finally wrangled some new Gem blades from my local Walgrens (slow to stock and fast to sell out). I wonder which razor to tackle first. I really wonder why the Gem Junior is called "junior" when it has that fat plastic handle? It is bigger, not a junior. The other two razors I have, the Gem 1912 and the Ever-Ready clone are in mint condition and appear much more precise, nimble, and certainly better made. Are their shaving characteristics the same?
Many thanks, Dave

 

[mmack66]

The GEM 1912 and the GEM Junior have the same head, only the handles were different. Allowing for handle differences, they should shave the same.

 

[michiganlover]

The GEM 1912 and the GEM Junior have the same head, only the handles were different. Allowing for handle differences, they should shave the same.

+1

In fact it sounds like the original poster just has slightly different variations on the 1912 style, and as such they should all shave very similarly.

 

[MrGuy]

Yep, all the minor variations in 1912/Junior heads I've seen have been cosmetic. The little "ears" on the side of the comb vary in size, some caps are slightly curved while others are straight, and the tabs to open the top vary a bit.

 

[FormerDATT]

Three votes say they are the same basic razor - here goes!

 

[BBrad]

Wow, Dave . . . bravely taking the jump to SE . . .

I have heard lots of good feedback about the GEM 1912 - I think that is the Tech or Super Speed of the SE world. I picked one up a few weeks ago but haven't bought blades yet.

Guess I'll have to give that a try soon . . . along with an Ever Ready and a couple of Micromatics that I have hanging around!

Let us know how you make out!

Happy New Year to you and yours!!

 

[cim_can]

I got a 1912 a few weeks ago and only today tried it out. I was impatient to find blades and the only ones I could find locally were the CVS brand. I did two WTG passes, with the second one being a blade-buffing pass. Although I feel my technique needs some work, and the blades are probably not the best (the blade was already rusting at the end of the shave), I was pretty impressed by the quality of shave I got. I'll have to keep working slowly on technique, but as far as I can tell, my Merkur HD is no longer alone in the world.

 

[FormerDATT]

This is a day late post and I hang my head in shame. I lost my nerve yesterday! I spent a good while futzing with my Gem 1912, Ever-Ready, and Gem Junior - cleaning, polishing, and loading. But every time I headed to my shave-cave I was the one who "caved". I think the front piece was too intimidating - that's a lot of blade looking at ya! In any event, I got to it today. What an amazing experience! Anybody who reads posts regarding the 1912 "sound of music" as the blade cuts across your face really needs to try this to experience it. It brought back loads of memories of straight blade shaving overseas. I loved it. For certain I went very slow, parallel to the skin, and with a good warm face and brush. I wound up with a very smooth shave and no nicks or cuts. That thiis is amazing is all I can say. Tomorrow beckons..........!
Dave

 

[MrGuy]

See, no reason the fear the single edge razors!

 

[BBrad]

Congrats, Dave!!

I picked up some blades today and will be trying one out in the AM

 

[brianw]

Welcome to the path less traveled.... before too long I see a str8 in your future

 

[FormerDATT]

Brad,
Lemme know how you do. I have good access to Gem (Persona) SS blades here in small town Kansas, can send you some if need be.
Dave

 

[BBrad]

Dave (and all),

I did it . . . wow!!

I was digging for the 1912, when I remembered a Junior that I got in a lot a couple of weeks ago. It was toward the top of the pile, so I pulled it out and gave it a quick SB cleanup - it was in fairly nice shape as it was.

I bought a pack of Treet blades at Rite-Aid (only store in town that carries SE shave blades) yesterday. I loaded one of those and went to work!

I gave myself the "full treatment" - hot wet towel (twice), splash of hot water, and Real Shave Co cream, face-lathered with a badger brush.

The sound and feel are both different, for sure! I experimented with the blade angle. I started with an angle just enough to cut whiskers. I wasn't really happy with the results, so went a little deeper. There was a point where I noticed the sound changed - and that is where the shaving began!!

The first-pass result was quite amazing. All in all closer than with a DE. In fact, close enough that this could become my "ain't got time to shave properly so I gotta do it quick" razor. (That would allow me to jettison the Mach 3!)

I was not as happy with the second pass - it was almost like it refused to shave as closely as I wanted. Not wanting to see how much razor burn it could produce, I called it quits, scored it a "7", and declared victory. Finished up with RSC after shave balm.

No casualties, sir, but just one minor injury . . . a little weeper on my chin . . . a spot that I usually nail at least once a week anyway.

Now here is an interesting note . . . an hour later, and my face feels more like a "9" on the BBS scale . . . smoother than when I finished the shave! I don't know if that is due to the RSC balm (just started using it this week - XMAS gift from SWMBO) or was it the razor?

All-in-all a fun start to my day today.

I plan on sticking with this one through the weekend at least to see if I can produce any improvement . . . I'm sure there are better-shaving blades out there that will just have to be tried along with other SE models that I have on hand . . . here comes another wave of AD . . . I can just feel it!!

Dave, I wish you (and all the rest of the B&B gang) a safe, happy, and prosperous New Year!!!

 

[FormerDATT]

OHHH-RA!
I had the exact experience with the sound of the shave. My first shave, yesterday, sounded like cutting wiskers with a microphone next to my cheek. Today, after a little experience, I got little to no sound along with a beautiful shave. Like you Brad, I noticed a much smoother face an hour or so later - strange.
I am fearful that I am off on another RAD tear.I swore that after Christmas I was done with this madness. I have soap pucks, cream tubes, blade samplers galore; even a Slim Adjustable I haven't even shaved with yet and now I'm thinking of more SE's.....send for the men in the white coats!
Happy New Year to all at B&B!