GEM SE Blades, Coated vs. Uncoated

[Snargle]

Several years ago, I purchased a box (100?) of Ted Pella PTFE-coated GEM SE blades. I don't use SE blades every day, and since I was getting at least 5 or 6 good shaves from them, it's taken me a long time to use up the box. I was down to my last blade a couple of months ago, so I went online (eBay) and purchased 25 GEM SE blades. What I didn't check was whether they were coated or not. I tried the first one last week in a GEM 1912 razor that I've always enjoyed and it was terrible; very rough and dull. After the first pass, I set the razor aside and finished my shave with a Fatboy that was already loaded with a blade. I tossed the blade and figured it was just defective and would try another one later. Later came this morning when I loaded up a Gem G-Bar razor with one of the blades and tried again. It was barely adequate. I was able to finish the shave, but it required multiple passes and blade buffing to get the quality I normally get with a basic two-pass shave.

The bottom line is I'm going to relegate these uncoated blades to the toolbox for paint scraping and other non-shaving tasks. I just ordered some Ted Pella PTFE coated blades that should be here in a few days. Based on prior experience, I expect I'm going to get much better results.

 

[lancre]

Since you don't mention a brand on EBay, just a form factor, it's possible you may have gotten scraper blades. In which case, the toolbox would be the right place for them.

 

[ouchyfoot]

I’m thinking that the coating smooths out the shave for the first three shaves while your face is acting as a strop. PTFE blades always become smoother by the fourth shave. By the fourth shave the coating is gone but the factory edge has been refined.
I think if you you took an uncoated blade and stropped it, it would smooth out that factory edge.

 

[Ron R]

Several years ago, I purchased a box (100?) of Ted Pella PTFE-coated GEM SE blades. I don't use SE blades every day, and since I was getting at least 5 or 6 good shaves from them, it's taken me a long time to use up the box. I was down to my last blade a couple of months ago, so I went online (eBay) and purchased 25 GEM SE blades. What I didn't check was whether they were coated or not. I tried the first one last week in a GEM 1912 razor that I've always enjoyed and it was terrible; very rough and dull. After the first pass, I set the razor aside and finished my shave with a Fatboy that was already loaded with a blade. I tossed the blade and figured it was just defective and would try another one later. Later came this morning when I loaded up a Gem G-Bar razor with one of the blades and tried again. It was barely adequate. I was able to finish the shave, but it required multiple passes and blade buffing to get the quality I normally get with a basic two-pass shave.

The bottom line is I'm going to relegate these uncoated blades to the toolbox for paint scraping and other non-shaving tasks. I just ordered some Ted Pella PTFE coated blades that should be here in a few days. Based on prior experience, I expect I'm going to get much better results.

Hopefully they work out for you, I buy mine from Connaught shaving UK because I live up northern Canada where they do not stock Gem blades at all any where. It takes about 2-3 weeks to deliver + good company to deal with and are reasonably priced, especially with the US dollar.

GEM by Personna Stainless Coated Single Edge Razor Blades

Connaught Shaving is supplier of quality, traditional shaving products including Wickham 1912 shaving soaps, REX, Merkur & Edwin Jagger safety razors & many brands double edge razor blades. UK Supplier of Feather New Hi-stainless razor blades, Feather Artist Club Razors & Blades & Feather Safety...

connaughtshaving.com

 

[Snargle]

Follow-up:
I ended up ordering some "Ted Pella" blades from an eBay seller. There is no way these are actual Gem/Personna coated SE blades. They are like trying to shave with a hack saw blade. Terrible experience! So, I'm still in the same predicament of having a nice stable of vintage SE razors with nothing usable to put in them.

Tell me: Where should I go (in U.S.) to get a supply of actual shave-ready SE blades? I probably want to get at least 25 or 50 so I don't have to got through this experience again in a couple of years!

 

[lancre]

Tell me: Where should I go (in U.S.) to get a supply of actual shave-ready SE blades? I probably want to get at least 25 or 50 so I don't have to got through this experience again in a couple of years!

The cheapest source I've found for the Accutac Personna brand of Gem style razors isn't in the US.
Connaught sells them at a good price and has a good turnaround.