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My Gems

lowjax

lowjax

I'm up to 4 Gem's after my last weekend shopping. I picked up a Gem Junior with the Bakelite handle.

Here's my current collection:
$003_zpsc228eed2.jpg
Gem Damaskeene Travel, Gem Damaskeene, Gem Micromatic Bullet Tip, Gem Junior
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$006_zps91f3b854.jpg

I do have a question on the 2 that I have labeled as Damaskeenes. One says use Damaskeene blades on the head and has the Damaskeene blade holder in the case. The other one is, I believe, a smaller, compact one that someone mentioned as a travel Gem as both the handle and the neck are shorter. It also came in a case (the worn one) with a Damaskeene blade holder. Is it still a Damaskeene even if it doesn't say to Use Damaskeene blades on the head?
 
HoosierTrooper

HoosierTrooper

Good looking Gems. To answer your question, no it isn't a Damaskeene. I hesitate to call those travel razors, Gem was putting razors with those handles in several different cases in the mid-late 20's, none of which that I've ever seen were really advertised as "travel razors". My guess is that isn't the proper case for the 1912, it's the older style that the Damaskeenes came in.

The Damaskeene you do have is a good looking one. It's an early one made when they were still known as Gem Cutlery which dates it pre-1919.
 
Last edited:
lowjax

lowjax

HoosierTrooper said:
Good looking Gems. To answer your question, no it isn't a Damaskeene. I hesitate to call those travel razors, Gem was putting razors with those handles in several different cases in the mid-late 20's, none of which that I've ever seen were really advertised as "travel razors". My guess is that isn't the proper case for the 1912, it's the older style that the Damaskeenes came in.

The Damaskeene you do have is a good looking one. It's an early one made when they were still known as Gem Cutlery which dates it pre-1919.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info, Tom. That Gem Cutlery Damaskeene was the least expensive out of all 4 of the Gems. I've read great things about the Junior as well and can't wait to try that one out.
 
Zagnut

Zagnut

Beautiful collection.

I have one of the 1912's just like your "Damaskeen Travel" :wink2: For the sake of the history geek in me, I wish dating it were a little easier.

It shaves great, but the tiny handle gets real slippery really quickly.
 
shuasdad

shuasdad

I love my big cartoon handle razor. Bought it out of odd curiosity, but found it to be a great shave, along with most all the other SE's.
 
lowjax

lowjax

I used the Gem Jr. with Bakelite handle this morning. That sucker sings out loud when shaving. Pretty good shave for my first time using it. A bit rough on the hollows of my neck next to my windpipe but other than that, an excellent shave.
 
lowjax

lowjax

Had a great shave with my Gem Cutlery Damaskeene this morning. I was using some SE Gem blades from razorbladesandmore.com. It initially felt a bit rough/sharp like the blade was biting a bit more than usual, but I ended up with a nice finish. I've never used these blades before so maybe that are like that. I know that some blades are better on their 2nd or 3rd shave than they are on their first.

Overall, very happy with it.
 
Zagnut

Zagnut

No, the Gem stainless blades are like that. They always feel rough, almost as if they are breaking the whiskers off instead of cutting through them, but when you're done, there's no irritation, and you're feeling nice and smooth.

Particularly when compared to DE or Injector blades, they get much better after a few shaves. I dread a fresh Gem, but once it's broken-in, it's smooth sailing for at least two weeks' worth of shaves.
 
lowjax

lowjax

Zagnut said:
No, the Gem stainless blades are like that. They always feel rough, almost as if they are breaking the whiskers off instead of cutting through them, but when you're done, there's no irritation, and you're feeling nice and smooth.

Particularly when compared to DE or Injector blades, they get much better after a few shaves. I dread a fresh Gem, but once it's broken-in, it's smooth sailing for at least two weeks' worth of shaves.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info, Zagnut! Appreciate it. That's what I was hoping for.
 
HoosierTrooper

HoosierTrooper

lowjax said:
Had a great shave with my Gem Cutlery Damaskeene this morning. I was using some SE Gem blades from razorbladesandmore.com. It initially felt a bit rough/sharp like the blade was biting a bit more than usual, but I ended up with a nice finish. I've never used these blades before so maybe that are like that. I know that some blades are better on their 2nd or 3rd shave than they are on their first.

Overall, very happy with it.
Click to expand...

Good to hear it went well. The D rarely disappoints.

Zagnut said:
No, the Gem stainless blades are like that. They always feel rough, almost as if they are breaking the whiskers off instead of cutting through them, but when you're done, there's no irritation, and you're feeling nice and smooth.

Particularly when compared to DE or Injector blades, they get much better after a few shaves. I dread a fresh Gem, but once it's broken-in, it's smooth sailing for at least two weeks' worth of shaves.
Click to expand...

That's the main reason I prefer carbon blades over the stainless.
 
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