GEM PTFE Modification Instructions for OneBlade

[Cemb3003]

Just to add to an old thread in case anyone is still trying to modify gems for the oneblade. I tried the Neiko Power Hole punch and found it pretty difficult to use and would actually shatter the blade as opposed to cutting, I then tried some Aviation Sheet Metal Snips but still wasnt working too well. I finally tried a Malco Hand Notcher and that has worked great and is super easy to use if anyone is still looking to modify Gems. Clean smooth cuts every time. https://www.amazon.com/Malco-N1R-MALCO-Notcher/dp/B0038N8TTA

Hi,
I’m new in the Oneblade world. Any chance to get more info about how you use this tool? I bough a Nibbling tool, but its Not working with me.

 

[Cemb3003]

No I actually returned it. I found that a cheap $7 hole punch on Amazon works much better. Also I’m in between using that and just cutting the ends of the razor blade off with a simple pair of scissors. You know the little part that sticks out well you use one blade first to measure how much to cut off and make that one your template for all the others. This way you don’t have to worry about punching a notch on both sides of the razor that match up perfectly. There’s a really good YouTube video that Scott from North Shore razor posted that shows how to do it. He’s a really big fan of Gibbs Adjustables also.

Hope that helps.

Hi,
Thanks for share the information. Can you share the info about the tool that you using? Or, If its possible share the YouTube video that you mentioned.

Thanks

 

[guzziknight]

Hi,
I’m new in the Oneblade world. Any chance to get more info about how you use this tool? I bough a Nibbling tool, but its Not working with me.

I also tried a nibbling tool with little success. I found the video on YouTube that Ron R posted. I despised a Gem blade and used a second blade as a shim. I didn’t even grind the second blade down at all.

I shaved with it today with no issues. It held the blade fine and was a very comfortable shave.

The shave wasn’t as close as with the Feather blade, but hopefully I’ll get more than one shave per blade out of them.

 

[Cemb3003]

I also tried a nibbling tool with little success. I found the video on YouTube that Ron R posted. I despised a Gem blade and used a second blade as a shim. I didn’t even grind the second blade down at all.

I shaved with it today with no issues. It held the blade fine and was a very comfortable shave.

The shave wasn’t as close as with the Feather blade, but hopefully I’ll get more than one shave per blade out of them.

Thanks a lot for your reply.

 

[guzziknight]

Thanks a lot for your reply.

Meant to say "despined ", not despised.

 

[Jasper J.]

I made a video of 5 ways to modify the GEM blade to the OneBlade razor. I analyzed their advantages and disadvantages, and regardless of the ways, the PTFE blades are much better than the original FHS-10.
A number of the ways in this video are from B&B, thank you all.
I am in Taiwan, and the narration of the video is Chinese, please open the English CC subtitles.

 

[Keith_Weir]

 

[wirelessness]

For me, with V1 just removing the spline is all that is required.

 

[Alpine Shaver]

(Note: the following modification works for both V1 and V2 versions of the OneBlade. V2 requires clipping the GEM to work in the OneBlade.)

There has been a lot of interest recently in the OneBlade razor. The OneBlade was built specifically to natively take the spineless Feather FHS SE blade. This is an uncommonly used blade, and many people, looking both for diversity in blade choice, and wishing to use the more common spined GEM PTFE SE blade have sought to use this later blade in their OneBlade either as their blade of choice or to add some diversity. Using the GEM has come with mixed results, as the spine must first be removed (see below), but still does not fit the razor perfectly. The despined GEM will not 'lock in' to the OneBlade as the Feather does, as the cutouts on the blade corners match up differently, and the internal blade locks/nubs in the OneBlade push against the GEM blade causing it to bend or 'smile' slightly. This is not an ideal situation in which to use the GEM blade, as the razor was not built for the purpose of putting strain on it's internal locks. Neither is a bent blade ideal. Some, very few users have even reported that the GEM begins to come out of place during the shave, as it is not locked in. We aim to go further in this thread by modifying the GEM to lock in and lay flat, fitting the OneBlade just as well as the Feather.

The purpose of this thread, therefore, is to show and share how a SE GEM blade may be modified to perfectly fit and lock into the OneBlade in a manner that is best for both the razor and the blade. Using the method and tools shown below is safe for you and your razor, and takes a matter of seconds to complete from start to finish. (This is meant to be a reference thread, and if others have methods or tools better even than what I'm showing, please feel free to share.)

De-spining the GEM


This is the most well known part of the modification, but it is essential to be reviewed, as it comes first in the process, and nothing else can be done without removing the GEM spine.

The tool required here is a 'nipper' or pair of pliers (the nipper works best), which should be clamped down at, or just above, the line in the spine. It is also recommended that the cardboard wrapping be left on the blade while removing the spine for safety. See here:

View attachment 718052

While the upper spine is clamped down with the nipper, use your thumb and index finger on your free hand to rock the blade to and fro against the spine. This loosens the spine, and you can then pull the spine right off. See an older video on this below:

Clipping the GEM

This part is a little more difficult to explain, but is just as easy in practice. First, you should acquire a 'hand nibbler'. I found mine on Amazon under the title "Nickel Plated Nibbling Tool", and it looks like this:

View attachment 718053


For a point of reference here is a picture of a clipped GEM (left) next to a Feather (right):

View attachment 718054

The important thing to notice from this picture, is that the GEM should not be clipped any lower than what we see cut out on the Feather. It can be clipped higher (the blunt side of the blade) but not lower (towards the sharp end of the blade). The lower part of the Feather cutout here just about exactly lines up with where we have clipped the GEM. Seeing this is important to realize before the tool is used.

Now, let's look at the blade position in the tool as it's being clipped:

View attachment 718055

View attachment 718056


As we see here, it is essential to clip the GEM just above it's own middle cutout. Do not widen the GEM middle cutout, but clip above it. You will see below, a correctly clipped GEM next to an un-clipped GEM. This should also help to tell you where you should be clipping.

http://i.imgur.com/WEvxzyI.jpg (Click to view image)


A GEM half modified:

https://imgur.com/VxPdrDr

(Click to view image)


A GEM fully modified:

http://i.imgur.com/EPMhHh4.jpg (Click to view image)

A fully modified GEM next to an un-clipped GEM:

http://i.imgur.com/GnvcbCS.jpg (Click to view image)


All of this may seem much more complicated than it really is. I have just tried to add as much detail as possible. Once you get it right the first time, a full modification from de-spining to clipping should take around 10-15 seconds, and you will know exactly what you are doing without further reference. Feel free to ask questions for clarifications, or add your own methods or tools to this thread if you've found something you like better.

At last, take the modified GEM, and slip it into your OneBlade with the satisfying "click" that tells you you're locked and loaded. Happy shaves all!

Excellent info, thanks for these detailed instructions .

I’ve got a V1 on the way, you said the V1 doesn’t require any blade clipping, just removal of the spine. So, without clipping will the blade still make the audible click sound when inserted into a V1 or would it still require clipping for this to happen?

Thanks for your help

 

[HoosierTrooper]

Excellent info, thanks for these detailed instructions .

I’ve got a V1 on the way, you said the V1 doesn’t require any blade clipping, just removal of the spine. So, without clipping will the blade still make the audible click sound when inserted into a V1 or would it still require clipping for this to happen?

Thanks for your help

OP hasn’t been back for six years, I doubt he’s going to answer you.

 

[Alpine Shaver]

OP hasn’t been back for six years, I doubt he’s going to answer you.

Oh, I failed to notice that lol. Never mind then.

 

[MondoJ]

How do you tell the version of the core I just took a spine off of GEM blade pushed it in there and shaved my head didn’t have to do anything else plenty tight