I am very Impressed with my new 1912

[Jim]

Thanks to one of my B&B brothers I am the proud new owner of a 1912 Gem.

I have had two outstanding shaves with it and its really quite nice, very straight razor like. Are the Ted Pella blades the last word in sharpness?

 

[Klopstick]

+1 on the Ted Pella blades.

Another Gemocrat joins the ranks!

 

[Oldguy]

That's one beautiful 1912. It looks like it was just made yesterday. The Pella's have the best reputation. I have never tried them but the Walgreen Gem's are fine for me.

Len

 

[RichGem]

That's one beautiful 1912. It looks like it was just made yesterday. The Pella's have the best reputation. I have never tried them but the Walgreen Gem's are fine for me.

Len

+1 here.

the cvs SE blades rust pretty quickly as do treet. Interestingly, they're all made by ASR.

 

[Cutter]

Nice razor! Did you have any trouble adjusting from a DE?

 

[tom myers]

The 1912 is a great razor and the one Jim pictures looks to be a very nice example of that series. The only razors I like better are the previous generation of "lather catcher" Gem Jr. bar razors.

On the blade issue . . . I use the coated stainless Gem blades from Ted Pella, but I have used the "Gem by Personna" coated stainless blades that you can buy at some drug stores and I am convinced that they are the same blade that Pella sells.

Some of the other blades mentioned that are made by ASR such as the Blue Star blades are made of carbon steel. In my experience, they offer a good shave but they don't hold an edge as long and, of course, they can rust. Todays Treet blades that I have seen are also carbon steel, but I have not tried them.

I used to do a lot of experimenting with different SE, DE, injector and even the various cartridge razors and blades, but after about 55 years of wet shaving with many makes and models of razors and blades, I've pretty much settled down to using my 1900/1901 patent dated lather catcher bar razor and the Gem coated stainless blades every morning. For my face and beard, I just can't find anything to match this combination. I can get all the variety I want with my various brushes, soaps, creams, after shaves, etc.

Regards,
Tom

 

[Darjeeling Express]

The 1912 is simply one of the finest razor designs ever. It never fails to deliver a first class shave. Enjoy Jim.

 

[Jim]

Nice razor! Did you have any trouble adjusting from a DE?

Not really,I had great shaves both times I have used it. I had to be mindful of the angle a few times, but the audible feed back is terrific. I mentioned that its very much a feeling of a straight razor. The hair really popped when cut.

Thanks gents, for the info and good wishes.

 

[Bertilak]

On the blade issue . . . I use the coated stainless Gem blades from Ted Pella, but I have used the "Gem by Personna" coated stainless blades that you can buy at some drug stores and I am convinced that they are the same blade that Pella sells.

Someone here on B&B actually took microscopic pictures of both the "drug store" version and the Pella version and much to my surprise they were different! Those pictures were posted here but I don't know where and there are way to many GEM/Pella threads for me to search for them!

Both had a two-step bevel but the Pellas showed a more pronounced secondary bevel (the one that actually forms the edge).

I did use the "drug store" coated Persona Super GEMs before getting the Pellas and don't remember any dramatic difference. Perhaps a more careful comparison would show something.

 

[mdunn]

i got pif-ed one from our glorious member tswebster, ive been using it a lot recently as ive hurt my hand and cant hold my straights properly for now. Its a fantastic shave.

 

[rainman]

Ted Pella doesn't make blades. Just carries Gem Stainless coated blades. He also has a 200 blade minimum I believe. This website below has a good price and charged me only $5.00 shipping. Minimum 100. They come in a hard plastic box. They also have DE and injector blades:

http://www.emsdiasum.com/microscopy/products/preparation/blades.aspx#71950


Look for: D. Single Edge, Gem "PTFE" Coated

 

[DunEdinRanger]

+1 On the 1912 and the PTFE Coated Blades.

 

[ambrose]

+1 On the 1912 and the PTFE Coated Blades.

yes sir,and to burst the bubble there is nothing like an old type gillette and a feather.

 

[DSB]

That is one handsome razor.

 

[rainman]

is that 100 ptfe coated single edge blades?

Yes the same ones that you get from Pella. I got some a couple months ago along with some injector blades. No problems.

 

[Jim]

A small update, I did order the blades from the source that Rainman was kind enough to supply- they are smoother and sharper than the two Gem blades that I had tried earlier.

I have had 6 outstanding shaves from my new favorite razor, I continue to be amazed at the way my face is feeling after a shave with it.

Does the model 11 have the same characteristics?

 

[rainman]

It's great that the blades and the shave in general is impressing you. Months ago user 82R100 gave me that link for the blades so I can't take all the credit.

Not sure what the model 11 is.

 

[pizzaguy]

Nice razor

 

[Jim]

It's great that the blades and the shave in general is impressing you. Months ago user 82R100 gave me that link for the blades so I can't take all the credit.

Not sure what the model 11 is.

Just saw this reply now, I am more than likely wrong is there not a model of 1911? or is that a Colt I am thinking of?

 

[82R100]

Just saw this reply now, I am more than likely wrong is there not a model of 1911? or is that a Colt I am thinking of?

There is a 1914, which is generally seen as an Ever-Ready.

It has the cover hinged in front, by the comb. I bought one recently from Bear Den but haven't tried it yet.

- Chris