Looking to buy a GEM and need some direction.

[Venom]

Hey there,

Have several DE razors and some nice quality brushes and soaps and am seriously considering getting some new tech and have been reading a lot about GEMs. I am always interested in getting some new tech and add to my collection and shaving experience.

I have some simple questions and besides trolling around ebay figured there has to be some good suggestions to get me in the right direction.

First, do I have to buy used or is there a new manufacturer making new SE in production now? If not what model would be suggested? And what make of SE blades?

Thanks!!!!

 

[MrGuy]

Good for you Venom! The SE should be embraced, never feared.
I'm not aware of any SE razors made today. There has been a GEM look-alike pop up on E-Bay recently, but I'd pass. Apart from being pink and plastic, I think that they actually use a DE blade. I think a post in the WTB forum should give you quick results for a nice GEM or Ever Ready.
I think most guys would recommend starting with a patent 1912 model, altho I go for the Micromatics. From what I can tell on the board, the 1912 has a more loyal following, but they don't give me near the results as a Micromatic. The G-Bar also has a loyal group of users.
There are a few options for SE blades. PAL, Treet and GEM are the most common. Walgreen's tend to carry GEM, Family Dollar has PALs, I have only used Treets thanks to a trade with another member. My advise to all who seek SE blades is to start with the phone book and call every place in your area that has a pharmacy. You might be surprised to find who has them. My favorite blades go GEM, Treet, PAL.
Good luck in your search.

 

[BroJohn]

My favorite blades go GEM, Treet, PAL.

Agreed.

The Ted Pella blades, PTFE coated stainless are purported to be the same as the GEM brand stainless. They are available in bulk, 2 packs of 100/$34 or so, plus postage.

You'll like the GEM --a nice comfortable shave.

-- John Gehman

 

[82R100]

I belive Bokaba has a Micromatic @ $9 for sale in B/S/T right now and Rick Sparks is selling the Pella SE blades 10 at a time for $5, which is about what you'll pay at Walgreens for the GEM blades.

I'm not associated with either of these gentlemen, but it's probably your quickest and easiest route.

- Chris

 

[TheBigL]

A word of advice:

DO NOT use hardware store SE blades. They are meant for scrapers, and, due to my experimental nature, scraped my face to bits one day.

On a side note, I just got a micromatic and if I'm feeling froggy tonight I will give it a first go.

 

[Rick Sparks]

Agreed.

The Ted Pella blades, PTFE coated stainless are purported to be the same as the GEM brand stainless. They are available in bulk, 2 packs of 100/$34 or so, plus postage.

You'll like the GEM --a nice comfortable shave.

-- John Gehman

Actually, you'll pay close to $50 for the Ted Pella/Gem blades if they're being delivered to a residential address. Something about their being a dangerous item and requiring a signature. If you can, get them sent to an actual business address (not a business in the home) and you'll save about $14. And if you want to try a number of different models of GEM razors I have multiples and will post them on the BST if you, or anyone else, is interested.

 

[Jatte]

You should post your extras definitely i'll probably buy one depending on condition,
what do you have

 

[Mycon]

Hello,

I also have a couple of questions regarding SE blades. I've tried the Treets in my GEM (unknown type or vintage) and I have 2 issues with them:

1.I don't know what's in my water, but the blades rust by at least 40% after the FIRST shave.
2.They only hold an edge for 2 shaves even with hand-stropping.

Do the GEM/Personna blades suffer from these problems?

 

[Jatte]

Nope, cause therye stainless and coated
get some theyre awesome
5-6 shaves easy

 

[Mycon]

Excellent news, considering that I bought a pack before asking . Thanks!

 

[D.Irving79]

someone found a current production SE razor on here, i cant remember who though. asian made.

 

[82R100]

I also have a couple of questions regarding SE blades. I've tried the Treets in my GEM (unknown type or vintage) and I have 2 issues with them:

1.I don't know what's in my water, but the blades rust by at least 40% after the FIRST shave.
2.They only hold an edge for 2 shaves even with hand-stropping.

Do the GEM/Personna blades suffer from these problems?

I'm using the Personna stainless blades (I do hand strop) and I also can get about a week out of them. At that point, they're not bad, I'm just getting bored .

- Chris

 

[pablo_h]

I found the same. 5 decent shaves with no rust using the personnas.
Some rust more than others, no matter how carefull you treat them, but the stainless GEM by personna rust less than most DE blades.
GEM bluestar rust more than any other brand, even if you don't use them. They rust as soon as the RH% is high while still in their box. I've got a whole pile of PALs and Treets that have been used and have rusted less that the bluestars. I've got vintage used blades that came with some GEMs I bought which have less rust that the bluestars I bought 2 months ago and never used.
So stick with the GEM by personna or the Ted Pella coated stainless and you won't have any problems. PALs are OK to an extent if you keep them clean and dry too.

 

[spinyeel]

I have found that using carbon steel blades is sheer futility.,no matter how much I dry and strop them.They go down hill rapidly after one shave.Stick with the stainless Pella's or Personna's.Same blades I think?,and get 4 or 5 decent shaves.

 

[Bushranger]

i also could not take to the carbon steel (blue star gem as an example). I found the PAL SE blades (black whatever they were) very good. I have some Pella/Gem PFTE, and trying it next. FWIW the PAL got me a good week of DFS, and two BBS at the start. DFS is King, especially below jawline.