GEMini 2013 is here (May 21st to Jun 20th)

[Haggises]

It is a tradition, as old as time itself where we lovers of SE razors hail the mighty GEM and all associated razors from Kampfe to STAR to Ever Ready and many, many more.

Bring forth your lather catchers, your 1912s, your 1914s, 24s and Damaskeenes. Roll out the Juniors and the flying Wing, the Clog-Pruf and the dreaded Open Comb Micromatic. Forget ye not the G-Bar or the Pushbutton or the Featherweight. Add in any whose legendary prowess escapes me for the moment.
Explore the plethora of blade options from carbons to stainless to coated stainless to.....um, hmmm.

Get your cameras ready as we celebrate the month of GEMini.
For those unfortunates who have not yet jumped in to the waters of SE, this is a great chance to explore a whole new world. It worked for me!


(with apologies to brianw and dunedinranger but I got tired of waiting for youze )

 

[mobius]

I'll start off with a Damaskeene:

 

[Haggises]

Some of these have been out of rotation for a while. I want to shave each of them at least 2 days each.

ER 1914 to get me back in saddle
GEM Cutlery 1912 Damaskeene
Star Lather Catcher (1)
GEM Flying Wing
ER 1912
GEM Clog-Pruf
G-Bar
Star Lather Catcher (2)
ER 1924
GEM OCMM
ER 1914 reprise

 

[garyg]

Its been a whole year? Egads

 

[Haggises]

Hard to believe isn't it?
some of my DEs still haven't forgiven me.

 

[Mr. Scruffy]

I have a G-Bar and Pushbutton that I have been experimenting with lately. Maybe I could use them for a while, but I'm really getting in a groove with my Schick injectors.

And I am a Gemini too...

 

[garyg]

Are there "Rools", as some would say? Must be a Genuine GEM? Or as long as it is a non-injected SE it works?

 

[DrumZalot]

I have been getting into single edge razors and so far I am loving them a little bit too much! I have a lot to learn about the history and the differences between each model. This is the first one I got it so far.

 

[Haggises]

Are there "Rools", as some would say? Must be a Genuine GEM? Or as long as it is a non-injected SE it works?

Ever ready and Star and similar are all good!

 

[cryhavoc]

I missed today, but I'm in tomorrow with my 1912

 

[TheVez2]

I missed today, but I'm in tomorrow with my 1912

It starts tomorrow, so you haven't missed anything.


Here is what I will be using tomorrow to kick off GEMini

 

[Haggises]

Hey KJ, I vaguely recall seeing that top lid before. Is there a story behind the engraving?

 

[TheVez2]

I actually don't remember what the story is for this set. It came in a couple different cases. Mine is in a brown bakelite case with the matching stropper and leather strop. I know a couple other members have one, and I think I remember a discussion about them, but I just don't recall.

 

[TripleG]

I just got a Gem Featherweight in the mail, sounds like tomorrow is a perfect day to try it out!

 

[DirtDiver]

Noob question :what kind of blades do these take?

 

[TheVez2]

Single Edge Blades. They look the same as hardware scraper blades, but they are sharper and meant for shaving.

 

[dcobranchi]

You can sometimes find GEM single edge blades at CVS. But the surest route is online. Amazon carries Treet carbon steel and GEM stainless. Both are very fine blades.

I'm on the road until Saturday, and will only have my 1912 and Treets to join the festivities. I like the 1912 design a lot, but I prefer the lather catchers. The first SE Sunday in Gemini willbe reserved for my GEM Junior bar. Can't wait!

 

[InfernoOrangeSS]

I will start off with my GEM OC Damaskeene, then switch to my ER Streamline. I will also use my ER LC every once in a while. (This has been my rotation for the past two weeks, so I am looking good for this.)
It may be a good excuse to trot out my OCMM again.

 

[Haggises]

May 21
G-Bar, GEM PTFE SS (1), MW Bay Rum, TGN 18mm Finest

I loaded up a fresh blade into my prized ER 1914, put it on the cabinet shelf and went upstairs to retrieve my MW Bay Rum.
By the time I got back, son was in bathroom having a shower behind locked door. G-Bar to the rescue.

End result of a great smooth shave, DFS verging on BBS. Skin perfectly conditioned between the MW soap and some Witch Hazel. No ASB required.
Imma gonna enjoy the heck out of this month,.

 

[Taproot]

Damaskeene with Treet carbon steel (2)
Proraso red, Semogue (italian barber version.)

This is my second shave ever with the damaskeene, it's definitely a weird razor (in a good way). It seems like no matter how badly I push my technique the result is an irritation free smooth feeling shave that is very close- there's a deceptive lack of feedback but clearly the razor is doing a lot.

Finished with Cat Of 9 Tails bay rum, one of the better shaves I've had in a while.