I picked up this single edged GEM Damaskeene razor in a flea market a few weeks ago. I'm not sure of the production year, but under the head it says "Pat'd 1912" I'm assuming that means patent date. I finally cleaned it up, and bought some GEM SE blades from WCS. It could use some polish but I think it is ready for the first cut in a long time. I've never shaved with a single edge razor before but I've heard you need to use a lower razor angle on the face. Wish me luck.
My first SE razor
- Thread starter TGilly
- Start date
Good luck! I occasionally supplement my DE with a GEM!
I just got one last week, pretty easy to find the right angle, listen for the metallic scratching noise as it mows downs your whiskers
Enjoy, I'm still basking in the glory of my recently aquired 1912. One of these days I'll actually get around to picking one of these up myself.
I agree. It's much easier to get the right angle with a SE. The only thing I would caution about is make sure the blade rests securely against the blade stops at a parallel to the razor. (I say this because I bought a GEM OCMM with bad blade stops and it ate my face up.). Best of luck with your razor! You should love it!
The SE razors do shave differently. The blade cap needs to almost touch your face. Don't use it like a scraper otherwise you won't enjoy your shave 
So OP, how did it go?
Mildly off-topic, I just picked up a STAR. The head appears identical to the OP's GEM except for the name on it. Did GEM build them for STAR?
Mildly off-topic, I just picked up a STAR. The head appears identical to the OP's GEM except for the name on it. Did GEM build them for STAR?
- Thread starter
- #8
I didn't like the shave to be honest guys. I built up a nice lather with my new D.R. Harris almond and I tried two passes and ended up going finishing the shave with my SS. It felt like I was just raking my face oppose to shaving it, and what I did shave was uneven. This might just not be for me. I'll give it another try tomorrow morning, if not then I'll probably PIF it or trade it.
And I'm not sure about the STAR brand I know GEM was big in SE market at that time of the century.
It sounds like your angle is off, and I mean way off. Take some time off and try it again. I certainly wouldn't advise getting rid of it after just a shave or two. They are very different and do have a learning curve; more for some than others. I've never used the Blue Stars. Are they carbon? Also, did you palm strop the blade? SE blade stiffness is not for everyone so that could be the problem if your angle was good. Give it a few more tries and then if it still isn't good for you then I'm sure you won't have a problem getting rid of it.
+1
- Thread starter
- #11
I think it was my angle, I didn't palm strop and I'm not sure if they are carbon. I'll give it a few more tries, I really love the look and vintage razors in general.
I tried my STAR in sympathy this morning. I don't have great experience with SE's, a GEM PB & MM only. I found with the STAR that I had to take it s-l-o-w and push it nearly flat to my skin. There were a few spots that I had trouble cleaving down satisfactorily, mostly my neck. I'd chalk this up to learning curve for the most part.
