Gem G Bar, it just arrived

[chongo gordo]

The one that looks kinda Buck Rogers? I wasn't really interested in shaving with it, but it was so damn cheap ($) I bid and won. It arrived today and I've got to say wow. The construction of this is phenomenal, I'm impressed. I may have to put her to use after all.
Currently it's soaking with it's auction mate, a Fatboy. It's telling that of the two, I was more impressed by the Gem. But I love them each in separate ways.

 

[Mick]

GEM G-bar is a nice SE razor. You should enjoy using it. Make sure you get "shaving" blades NOT "box cutter" blades. There is a BIG difference in the way they are ground. They are different blades, they only look similar.

When you say "soaking" I hope you do not leave them in any solution longer than 10 minutes. There are a LOT of posts on B&B about destroyed/damaged razors from "soaking".

 

[chongo gordo]

Thanks for the heads up, yes soaking in hot water from the tap with a healthy spritz of scrubbing bubbles. The razor was filthy, and what I feared might be rust was merely an unprecedented build up of soap scum. The finish is spectacular, not even a hint of brassing. Further, it's not an exaggeration to say that the movement of the head reminds me of my Diana pellet rifle. It snaps right into place.

A good deal, the Gem and a Fatboy $33, from the same seller. And I swore I wasn't going to start collecting these things

 

[Mick]

Thanks for the heads up, yes soaking in hot water from the tap with a healthy spritz of scrubbing bubbles. The razor was filthy, and what I feared might be rust was merely an unprecedented build up of soap scum. The finish is spectacular, not even a hint of brassing. Further, it's not an exaggeration to say that the movement of the head reminds me of my Diana pellet rifle. It snaps right into place.

That should be fine. Soaking in bleach or other heavy cleaners can cause plate loss

A good deal, the Gem and a Fatboy $33, from the same seller. And I swore I wasn't going to start collecting these things

You are not "collecting" until you get your 100th razor. Then there is no turning back. Up to that point you are just "experimenting"

 

[RABIDMONKEY]

The G-bar plating and build is the tank of the SE world , good shaver as well

 

[chongo gordo]

The G-bar plating and build is the tank of the SE world , good shaver as well

Mirror plating. It is that shiny and that clean. From what I saw on ebay they all seem to retain their plating.

 

[Haggises]

I love my G Bar. Curious as to where it fits in the timeline - between MM and push buttons?

 

[Sledgehammer39]

The GEM G-bar is a well constructed razor, and delivers nice shaves.

 

[lt114]

I just shaved with mine for the first time this morning. It's a nice, smooth shaving razor and great looking as well.

 

[Cicatero]

I love my G Bar. Curious as to where it fits in the timeline - between MM and push buttons?

I think this is the order: FWMM, Featherweight, HFT (G-Bar), Push Button.

 

[mftoms59]

I love my G Bar. Curious as to where it fits in the timeline - between MM and push buttons?

Produced from the late 1040's through the 50's; http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/G-Bar

 

[chongo gordo]

Got some blades on order. I'm looking forward to trying this one out.

 

[Mike'sWorld]

I love mine. I keep it around for its space age, atomic age style. It's a joy to look at with a mirror finish and curious paddle at the tip end.

 

[Haggises]

I think this is the order: FWMM, Featherweight, HFT (G-Bar), Push Button.

Produced from the late 1040's through the 50's; http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/G-Bar

thanks guys!

 

[HoosierTrooper]

I love my G Bar. Curious as to where it fits in the timeline - between MM and push buttons?

They came out between the Flying Wing(1947) and before the Feather Weight(1953). This is an interesting razor because it appears ASR did very little advertising of it, I've still been unable to find any print ads although I'm sure some are out there. I also don't think it was made very long, assuming the Flying Wing was produced for at least three or four years that would put the G coming out sometime around 1950 or so and then the Feather Weight came out in 1953.

 

[Haggises]

Thanks Tom.
The quick yank from production suggests it maybe didn't sell as well as others. Maybe because they didn't advertise the wee bugger very much

 

[HoosierTrooper]

I've kind of wondered if it was cost related as well. Since the Feather Weight was mostly plastic and didn't have all of that really nice chrome plating that the G is known for my guess is the FW was cheaper to produce than the G. It would also seem to be simpler to make the molded plastic handles than the chrome plated brass ones.

 

[chongo gordo]

I'm not a razor expert/historian by any means, but I do know a little about marketing. I have to wonder if this model (the chrome G-Bar)
was a last ditch effort on the part of ASR to capture a larger market from Gillette. It must have been an expensive razor to produce given the production quality, but if it wasn't getting them the numbers the cost becomes aa greater liability.

 

[retturn2blades]

I wonder if the Korean War had any effects on razor production and materials as happened during WWII?