Gem - Finally Figured it Out

[christopherh]

I finally see what all the Gemocrats have been raving about! It's all about the angle. Once I stopped holding it like a DE razor and cut way down on my angle, I got one of the best shaves with 2 passes EVER!

So now that I am really loving my shaves with the SE - I was wondering if there is a SE razor that has some more heft? Currently I'm using a 1912 style, which feels a little light for my liking (I use a Merkur 38C normally when I use a DE).

Is there such a thing as a 'heavy' SE razor?

 

[insomniac]

Congrats on figuring out the SE. The angle is different, in some ways I prefer it.

I did a two-pass with touchups this morning with my Micromatic, and got a DFS+.

There aren't many razors with as much heft as the 38C.

 

[Veritas II]

I have a 1912 travel set with a removable handle. Unfortunately, the head has female threads where Gillettes have male so no handle interchangeability. I wonder if one could get a custom cooncatbob Bull Mastiff handle with the appropriate male threads. That setup would give the desired heft.

 

[Telecaster52]

Is there such a thing as a 'heavy' SE razor?

I think a Micromatic (any flavour) or a G-bar might fit the bill, also, a Chain-link handled 1912 is substantially heavier than the travel edition

I have a 1912 travel set with a removable handle. Unfortunately, the head has female threads where Gillettes have male so no handle interchangeability. I wonder if one could get a custom cooncatbob Bull Mastiff handle with the appropriate male threads. That setup would give the desired heft.

IF your razor has 10-32 threads (some travel-handled gems had 8-24 IIRC) you can easily mod a gillette handle to a gem head by using a 1/2-5/8" long 10-32 setscrew

 

[BigHairyGuy]

What blade are you using?

 

[dcrosso]

I have been shaving with a GEM 1912 for the past several months. My first use of the 1912 was with a GEM 1912 Travel razor, that has a shorter (lighter) handle the the standard 1912. I used the Travel for several weeks and got some great shaves with it. I later obtained a standard 1912 with the longer handle. I found that it didn't make much difference. It is all about the angle and just letting the blade cut without any pressure. It's not like a Gillette DE, where a heavier handle seems to make it cut better for some. To experiment further, I later obtained a Ever Ready 1912 that had the heavier handle. The threads matched the 1912 and I exchanged the handles to the GEM. While I like the heavier handle it did not make the 1912 shave any better. It's all about the angle and no pressure.

 

[Veritas II]

IF your razor has 10-32 threads (some travel-handled gems had 8-24 IIRC) you can easily mod a gillette handle to a gem head by using a 1/2-5/8" long 10-32 setscrew, i have one somewhere, pics to come

I can't tell the thread pitch on the handle without using a gauge. I unsuccessfully tried to thread the handle of the GEM into the handle of a Tech to compare TP. The GEM handle didn't contact the Tech handle at all. The threads on my GEM have a significantly smaller diameter. In order to modify mine, I would have to have a stud with different thread pitches. Not an impossible thing to find, just a PITA.

The other option would be to drill/tap the GEM head. That's something I'm not willing to do unless I come across one in user-grade (at best) condition.

 

[Telecaster52]

I can't tell the thread pitch on the handle without using a gauge. I unsuccessfully tried to thread the handle of the GEM into the handle of a Tech to compare TP. The GEM handle didn't contact the Tech handle at all. The threads on my GEM have a significantly smaller diameter. In order to modify mine, I would have to have a stud with different thread pitches. Not an impossible thing to find, just a PITA.

The other option would be to drill/tap the GEM head. That's something I'm not willing to do unless I come across one in user-grade (at best) condition.

Yup, just measured, 8-24, you're better off looking for a whole 'nother razor with the 10-32 threads, 1912's aren't expensive at all. Instead of finding a made-to-spec stud or setscrew, which as you said, would be a pain, what about threading a brass rod 10-32 on one end and 8-24 on the other?

All things aside, i would also encourage you to try the other gem models. I have less invested in my 8-10 gems than i have in my most expensive DE, so it won't be breaking the bank

 

[Hoos]

A British Ever-Ready (with the 1912 date) is a fairly heavy razor, in terms of the Gem line (it is the British version of the 1912 Gem).

Not as heavy as a Merkur, but heavier than most of the rest of the Gem/Ever-Ready line that's still a great razor (Micromatics are heavy, but they can be more difficult to tame).

 

[gaj90027]

The 1912 ornate handle GEM or Ever-Ready is the heaviest SE razor I have come across. The G-Bar and the Star/Kampfe lather catcher are close seconds (the star/kampfe is my favorite SE by far). The others SE's I have used have been much lighter (featherweight, push button, 1924, etc.)

Just remembered, the micromatics are pretty hefty as well and shave like champions

 

[HoosierTrooper]

Another one has been claimed by the dark side. There is no going back.

 

[christopherh]

What blade are you using?

I picked up some Gems at Walgreens. Based on the research I did on B&B most folks don't see any difference between those and the Ted Pella's...

Do you have any recommendations for a difference blade?

 

[Haiku]

For heft, nothing beats the Ever Ready Streamline. One of the best razors out there, of any description. Heavy, solid as a rock and the quality of the finish is absolutely second to none. It was also sold as a GEM Jewell.

Here's what the set looks like with the stropping machine.

 

[HoosierTrooper]

My favorite blade is the carbon steel Treet that's available at Rite Aid, but they only last 2-3 shaves and then they're done for. Being the tightwad cheapskate I am that's a bit of a drawback. Blue Stars and PAL blades are favorites of some guys, but they're also carbon steel and don't last as long as the stainless blades.

I picked up some Gems at Walgreens. Based on the research I did on B&B most folks don't see any difference between those and the Ted Pella's...

Do you have any recommendations for a difference blade?

 

[Telecaster52]

Blue Stars and PAL blades are favorites of some guys, but they're also carbon steel and don't last as long as the stainless blades.

Guess that makes me some guy

IMO the treets and pals are the same sharp, smooth blade. the only difference is that the Pal blades are blued and don't rust quite as quickly

 

[christopherh]

I WANT ONE OF THOSE! That's exactly what I'm looking for. Off to B/S/T!

For heft, nothing beats the Ever Ready Streamline. One of the best razors out there, of any description. Heavy, solid as a rock and the quality of the finish is absolutely second to none. It was also sold as a GEM Jewell.

Here's what the set looks like with the stropping machine.

 

[AJMiami]

after a not a good experience with my first shave with a Gem,,, I gave it another try today...got a very decent shave with my 1912, will keep using.

 

[lightnin]

I have an idea that this would be an almost impossible set to find. That is unless you want to part with it.

Beautiful outfit; I'm envious.