It's a Gem

[rdangelo]

I stopped into an antique store yesterday and spotted a very old safety razor that is slanted and takes a single edge blade. The lady said, "This one's a gem". Being ignorant, I thought she was talking up the razor, but as many of you are probably thinking to yourselves and snickering, it's a brand name: Gem. It says GEM Junior on the rear aspect and inside the flip-top it says Made in USA and Brooklyn NY. This thing needs some serious Brasso and looks about a hundred years old, but the metal is still straight, and it looks like if I sprung a couple bucks for some Gem blades on Amazon, it might work. Any way to know how old it is or if it's any good, other than using it? Was it a quality brand?

Any help will earn you my everlasting pat on the back.

 

[rdangelo]

The Gem I just picked up for three bucks looks exactly like a "1912" others have posted pics of. Does that mean it was made 98 years ago, or is it just a line of razors?

 

[amishmotorboat]

That's the patent date, and was in production for a long long time. Great razor.

 

[rdangelo]

Thanks, dude!

 

[Pumpkin]

The Gem I just picked up for three bucks looks exactly like a "1912" others have posted pics of. Does that mean it was made 98 years ago, or is it just a line of razors?

The experts here will probably correct me if I'm wrong. Believe they were produced from 1912-20's. 1912 is the origional Pat. date.

I gather they're great razors...requiring a slightly different technique...I'm looking forward to trying mine as soon as I get blades.

 

[Pumpkin]

That's the patent date, and was in production for a long long time. Great razor.

I stand corrected.

 

[amishmotorboat]

Oh, I have no personal knowledge of this, I'm just repeating what AG said here.
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=109002&highlight=1912+production

 

[Pumpkin]

Oh, I have no personal knowledge of this, I'm just repeating what AG said here.
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=109002&highlight=1912+production

I was just quoting the info in the wiki!

 

[nwman]

i just shaved with one of these for the first time yesterday. if you can take it real easy on the pressure, you're in for a great shave. it was especially good on my neck, usually my big problem area.

buy some razors down at the drugstore and catch the gem 1912 fever.
it's spreading.

 

[HoosierTrooper]

The GEM's have become my favorite razors to shave with. I'm still having a lot of fun with the DE's and injectors I've accumulated since November of last year, and will continue to use them, but if limited to one it woould be a GEM, probably the G-Bar model. Love em.

 

[rdangelo]

Is it a problem that it is made out of brass, and I couldn't exactly get it shiny to the level of a soldier's belt buckle with the Brasso? Is brass dangerous on an open cut?

 

[Klopstick]

Brass is fine. No trouble there except for keeping it polished. You'll love that razor of you get good blades and take the time to learn how to use it. Superb.

If you know somebody with a vibratory tumbler (like somebody who shoots and reloads their own ammo) that will put a great polish on your razor.

 

[Zumkopf]

Well, it might if you ate it. Shaving, don't worry about it.

The Gem 1912 is a great razor . The Micromatic, I don't know what it is about it, I nick myself several times with it every time . (On the other hand, the Micromatic was in production a very long time, so it must have its virtues.) Have heard great things about the G-Bar, but haven't used it.

The Gem blade is thicker than a DE, so it will NOT flex. Which may be why it's the closest thing to a straight razor shave you can get. Many people, including me, swear by it. Also, I think the GEM blades last longer.

Gem technique: Hold it right at the neck with your thumb and index finger, letting the handle more or less rest in your palm. Keep the head *almost* flat against your face, and take it very easy on the pressure. You just might fall in love

 

[D.Irving79]

its a post 1919 gem jr. and you need to buy it and use it

 

[blackfoot]

its a post 1919 gem jr. and you need to buy it and use it

Enter the expert!

 

[D.Irving79]