Tried out the Gem Jr. this morning with a Gem Personna blade. A couple of tiny knicks but a nice close shave. I like this little razor. 
First shave with Gem Jr.
- Thread starter Deano
- Start date
I got my Gem Jr. from an antique shop in Snohomish, WA for $8. Great buy! I don't use it as much as my 1904 Classic DE razor, but that is as much due to the cost of blades as anything. If I go a few days without shaving, the Gem is my razor of choice to restore order to my face.
- Thread starter
- #3
I picked mine up at a flea market last week. A lady had it and an auto strop for $1 each. I was very pleased how they cleaned up but the auto strop has a broken blade stop that I didnt notice when I bought them. I agree blades are hard to come by. I ordered mine from Amazon and they seem to be good blades but it would be nice to find some locally.
Do you have a Walgreens, CVS or Rite Aid close?
- Thread starter
- #5
Yes im near a Walgreens. Ive not noticed SE blades there but then I have not looked for them before. I will see next time im there. Thank you.
I get my SE blades at Walgreen's. Cost is about $6 for a pack of 10 which come in a dispenser. The other option is the Ted Pella blades, available only on the Internet as far as I know. They are much cheaper - about 20 cents each when bought in bulk - but I don't like them as well as the stainless steel Gem Personna which I get at Walgreens. Every Walgreens around where I live does carry the Gem Personnas.
Every Walgreens me carries the stainless Gem/Personna blades. Rite Aid and CVS carry carbon steel SE blades, which I prefer over the stainless.
HERE is a little guide I put together.
- Thread starter
- #8
I got the Gem Personna on Amazon for $5.30 something cents and thats shipped. But if I can by them locally I will.
- Thread starter
- #9
Great guide. Thank you for posting.
- Thread starter
- #10
Found some Gem Blue Star blades at Hy Vee pharmacy this afternoon while picking up a perscription. Hy Vee is a local super market chain in this neck of the woods. $3.78 for the package made it irresistable.
They tend to show up in the smaller stores like that. I've found Treet's at IGA grocery stores for about the same price. I'll be curious to see how you like them compared to the stainless blades. Just remember to take them out, dry them thoroughly and store in a dry place between uses.
Congrats, the Gem Jr. is a solid razor!
- Thread starter
- #13
I usually shave with the same razor until ive gotten all the good out of the blade in it. I will be sure to let you know what I think of the Blue Stars. Do you use mostly SE razors ?
- Thread starter
- #15
Thank you. Yes I got a great shave from it.
- Thread starter
- #16
This is the only one I have so far other than the auto strop which, I discovered, has a broken blade stop. Which SE do you like the best?
The 1912 Damaskeene, in particular the open comb model. Here's three of my Damaskeene's, the open comb is on the left.
- Thread starter
- #18
Those are very nice Tom.
