Oh, my... I may not even clean it! (Production years for these?)

[T Rick]

My mailman is becoming one of my favorite people! This beauty showed up about an hour ago.

Okay, yeah, I'm gonna clean this, just for GP. Because I intend to shave with it. And frankly, looking at it in person, it's hard to believe anyone ever has! In some of my pics, it looks scratched up (not at all to the naked eye, it's bright and shiny!) and even looks like there is brassing (purely camera reflection). It is simply pristine, not a hint it's ever seen a blade, lather or a whisker.

I know the patent dates are 1900 and 1901. And I know the model 1912 was later (duh!), but were these produced after the introduction of the 1912? And was the 1912 introduced in 1912?? Just trying to pin down a manuf. year as close as possible here. Thanks in advance for any input.

Oh, one more Q. Does this qualify as a a"Lather Catcher"?

 

[Miles]

Sweet bit of history there. Thanks for sharing!

 

[bythbook]

wedge blades with these?

D.Irving should have some information on this, I would think....

 

[Bertilak]

wedge blades with these?

That will take today's standard SE blades.

Very nice pictures of a beautiful razor!

It is no secret hereabouts that I love those things!

EDIT: To the OP. Yes, that's a Lather Catcher, or at least what we have been calling Lather Catchers here on B&B. I don't know how accepted or "official" that designation is and I doubt very much they were called that when originally on the market.

 

[spinyeel]

Nice score..Nice 1901 lather catcher.Uses modern S/E blades and shaves like a dream.Congratulations.

 

[T Rick]

wedge blades with these?

D.Irving should have some information on this, I would think....

Don't think they ever even took them. They will take the standard GEM single edged blade (Available online, or at Walgreens). I think they were designed for this blade, which appeared around the time of this patent.

And yep, he does. It was one of his posts in part (and my recent love of the 1912) that got me looking for these and led to this purchase.

 

[D.Irving79]

its a 1908 gem junior. only takes SE blades.

 

[Noebie]

holy guacamole, batman

that is a surfeit of beauty, my friend

 

[kzoo1]

Nice!

 

[T Rick]

Thanks all, especially D.Irving79, for the VERY specific year (I was hoping to get say, between 1903 and 1911 or something).

Is there a reference source for these classics that is readily available? Is there a book similar to the Krumholz book on Gillette?

Thanks so much for the info, and sharing your knowledge on these GEMs with us all.

 

[AsylumGuido]

Thanks all, especially D.Irving79, for the VERY specific year (I was hoping to get say, between 1903 and 1911 or something).

Is there a reference source for these classics that is readily available? Is there a book similar to the Krumholz book on Gillette?

Thanks so much for the info, and sharing your knowledge on these GEMs with us all.

Yes.

Click here.

 

[T Rick]

Yes.

Click here.

Lol! Thanks AG, PM sent.

 

[D.Irving79]

Yes.

Click here.

rodd did this once and i nearly peed myself.

 

[tom myers]

That is a beautiful specimen of a Gem Junior Bar Razor. As was mentioned, this is often called a "lather catcher" here on these boards, but that term also includes many other models of razors that have a similar configuration. As Dave indicated, that specific razor, with the embossed scroll writing on the back and that particular handle, is circa 1908.

The Bar Razor was patented by Gem Cutlery, later known as American Safety Razor, in 1900/1901 and, as the name implies, has the spring loaded, hinged "bar" to hold the blade in place as well as the upper spring loaded tab to keep the blade secure against the nubs on the comb.

Other "lather catcher" razors, made by Gem as well as other manufacturers, although similar in appearance, use other means, usually small "shoes" to hold the edge of the blade down against the comb. Some of these razors were designed to use wedge blades and some were meant to use the, now common, thin ribbed back blade. some of the "shoes" were adjustable while others were fixed. The Bar Razor was specifically designed to use the thin ribbed back blade.

You have, in my opinion, one of, if not the, finest shaving instrument ever marketed. After about 55 years of wet shaving and trying many dozens of designs, including many different DE's, SE's, injectors and various types of cartridge razors, I now use a Gem Junior Bar almost every morning and I have a hard time justifying trying anything else. I get the best and most comfortable shaves with less effort with this razor than with any of the other razors I've used.

Regards,
Tom

 

[Windwalker]

its a 1908 gem junior. only takes SE blades.

"You have, in my opinion, one of, if not the, finest shaving instrument ever marketed."

Regards,
Tom

They both speak true! Mine is my favorite SE!

 

[Calder]

That's a beautiful example