Got PIFed a Gem, what do I need to know?

[Fletch]

A gent on here was kind enough to PIF a single edge gem razor. Naturally I'm curious however I know nothing about them . For example what blades should I get/try for it? Does it differ much from a DE razor? Easy to slice up your face than with a DE... Anything else I should know would be great. I've heard some folks talk about how they really like them so I always wanted to try one. Now one is on the way and I need a bit of guidance.

 

[ShavelockFoams]

You need to feed your Gem SE blades. The two most common brands that you can find are GEM and Treet, and sometimes the big chain drugstores have a house brand. I have generally found GEM SE blades at Bed, Bath and Beyond stores.

Don't try to shave with a SE using the same angle you would with a DE. Some SE's have a lot of the blade exposed when you load a blade in them, but they are not more dangerous or difficult to use than a DE. Just take you time with the first shaves till you get the hang of it and you should be fine.

Finally, once you get the technique down, the SE gives a great shave, and you will not regret becoming a gemocrat.

Good luck and enjoy.

 

[DunEdinRanger]

Which GEM did you get?

Basically, the head should not be flat against the face, but off a few degrees. It is important to not apply any pressure. I know you know that, and have heard it a million times.

Finally, you'll know by the audible feedback when you have the sweet spot. The sound the GEM SE's make is akin to the full throated roar of a double carbureted V8.

 

[danparker77]

I'll put some blades in with the razor.

 

[Fletch]

I'm not even sure what a SE blade looks like. The only SE razor blade I know of are the ones you'd use in like a window scraper or a utility knife. Are there no places online that sell them? I have a BB&B near me and I can check them out but again I've never noticed SE blades there before. Then again I wasn't really looking for them either. Do the Gems have some kind of head design that kind of lends itself to a somewhat user friendly angle to hold? I mean at least with a DE you can start at the top and kind of roll the razor down till you hear/feel the blade cutting.

EDIT: Thanks for the blades Dan. Although if I draw a blank locally somehow is there a good place online to get them?

 

[FL shaver]

My Walgreen's and CVS has them...

 

[Fletch]

Which GEM did you get?

Basically, the head should not be flat against the face, but off a few degrees. It is important to not apply any pressure. I know you know that, and have heard it a million times.

Finally, you'll know by the audible feedback when you have the sweet spot. The sound the GEM SE's make is akin to the full throated roar of a double carbureted V8.

This is where this whole possible new addiction stemmed from http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=170664

 

[DunEdinRanger]

This is where this whole possible new addiction stemmed from http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=170664

The Open Comb MicroMatic!

You may find this thread interesting, starting at Post #12, http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=155335

 

[proxymoron]

if I draw a blank locally somehow is there a good place online to get them?

You can get a 10-pack of the Personna Gem stainless blades here for $4.79 shipped, but if you decide SE's for you, there are a lot of threads discussing which blades to buy and where.

Good luck with the (infamous) OC Micromatic. I keep putting off trying mine out but I'm just too happy with my 1912s.

 

[AmishFury]

You can get a 10-pack of the Personna Gem stainless blades here for $4.79 shipped, but if you decide SE's for you, there are a lot of threads discussing which blades to buy and where.

actually that's $4.79 plus tax

 

[franstjohn]

The Gem is a great little shaver. No pressure and go slow. You'll do just fine.

 

[Fletch]

Is it my imagination or are the blades for it the same blades that are like utility window scraper blades? They look like the exact same blades you can buy at the Home Depot. I can get a 100 pack of them there made by Persona for like 10 bucks.

 

[gaj90027]

Is it my imagination or are the blades for it the same blades that are like utility window scraper blades? They look like the exact same blades you can buy at the Home Depot.

They look like the exact same blade but the scraper blades are not coated and are not sharp enough to shave with. CVS, Rite-Aid and Walgreens all carry SE razor blades in the shaving section.

 

[Dave Deluxe]

"Good luck with the (infamous) OC Micromatic. I keep putting off trying mine out but I'm just too happy with my 1912s."

I felt the same way, I was so in love with the shave provided by the 1912, I held off giving the OC Micromatic a spin. When I did, I found out that the OC MM's fearsome reputation, is not deserved. The OC MM is an agressive shaver make no mistake, however it also provides a fantastic shaving experience. If you have experience with any of the more agressive DE razors, then handling the OC MM should be no problem for you.


DD

 

[Aloxite]

I don't have any experience with SE razors. But I did just buy a 1912 Ever-ready and did a bunch of reading on the subject.

I read a bunch of recommendations for buying blades from Ted Pella. I think the PTFE coated blades seem to be the most highly regarded. Maybe someone with experience will chime in.

http://www.tedpella.com/dissect_html/dissect.htm#anchor1606431

The price doesn't seem to bad. $35 for 200. That should last a couple of years if you get four shaves per blade. I hear people saying that they get more like six. Plus once you're done with them you can save them for the paint scraper.

ETA - Hmmm. They also have injector blades. I might have to pick up some of those to try.

 

[proxymoron]

I felt the same way, I was so in love with the shave provided by the 1912, I held off giving the OC Micromatic a spin. When I did, I found out that the OC MM's fearsome reputation, is not deserved. The OC MM is an agressive shaver make no mistake, however it also provides a fantastic shaving experience.

I hear you but every time I try to move a 1912 off the sink, it just feels wrong. Bucked up and did it today, OCM tomorrow!

 

[Bit2]

Is it my imagination or are the blades for it the same blades that are like utility window scraper blades? They look like the exact same blades you can buy at the Home Depot. I can get a 100 pack of them there made by Persona for like 10 bucks.

Just go to Walgreen's and buy a 10 pack of GEM blades meant for shaving.
That is a good start.
This is where you LISTEN to the sage advice given.
I am trying to help you from making mistakes.

John

 

[Dave Deluxe]

If you go to Walgreens, you can get the smaller quanities of the Stainless Steel coated SE blades. The ones at most of the other local retailers are non- stainless, which are prone to rust issues.

DD

 

[shoenanvil]

I have tried both Treet and Super D brands and after the first shave and a long bath in alcohol the blades still rust and to top it all off I can not get a good and comfortable shave with them. I would like to try the coated SS blades from Ted Pella but I really hate to pay the $40 to get 200 just to find out that I do not like them. Seems like I may just depend on my DE's and maybe I can talk my wife into buying me a Straight.

 

[Fletch]

I stopped by WalMart today for a few things and I wandered into their shaving section originally to look for some DE blades. They had the 10 pack of GEM's so I picked one up. Oddly enough when I was looking through what they had there they had the GEM blades, Styptic pencil, VDH soap, and that was about it for wet shaving supplies. Not a single brush, or a pack of any kind of DE blades to be found.