I never developed any real interest in the SE world (I know, sorry all.. lol). I fell in love with the DE, and then the straights. While my parents were cleaning out some of the closets from the family estate, they scored some serious heirloom action for me... 2 straights, which I've restored, and like 5 DE's (2 Slims, 2 40's Super Speeds, Old Type OC), and one SE. The SE just went into storage with some of the other things I never really used, and I didn't even look into it any further. This was about a year or so ago.
The other day a co-worker overheard a convo I was having about DE's and straight razors and such, said he had an old razor sitting around that had come in some lot of other stuff he'd wanted at a flea market or estate sale or such. I told him to bring it in, and I could maybe help ID it for him so he at least knew what he had. He shows up today, hands me a box, sorta beat up with a ripped up and dried out cover, but still pretty solid feeling construction wise, and I immediately recognize the Gem logo on the button snap. Turns out it's a Gem Damaskeene, in box, but missing the blade holder. Still has a used vintage blade in it. The top cover had come off the razor, but other wise it's in good user grade condition. The co-worker is like "Here, take it, all yours...". lol Within a minute or so I got the top cover snapped back in place, it hold closed still as it should, back into perfect working order. lol
I jump into the SE forum and check out some links and threads, and as best I can tell it dates from before the 1919 Gem changeover to Gem Safety Razors, and doesn't have the bevel on the top cover plate that some of the 1918-1919 models had. I also ID'd the other SE, the heirloom one, as a Gem Featherweight, with the white plastic handle. It's also in really good shape and usable.
I guess someday I need to track down some good SE blades at this point and give these guys a spin, since fate seems to be telling me I have to try an SE shave at some point. lol
The other day a co-worker overheard a convo I was having about DE's and straight razors and such, said he had an old razor sitting around that had come in some lot of other stuff he'd wanted at a flea market or estate sale or such. I told him to bring it in, and I could maybe help ID it for him so he at least knew what he had. He shows up today, hands me a box, sorta beat up with a ripped up and dried out cover, but still pretty solid feeling construction wise, and I immediately recognize the Gem logo on the button snap. Turns out it's a Gem Damaskeene, in box, but missing the blade holder. Still has a used vintage blade in it. The top cover had come off the razor, but other wise it's in good user grade condition. The co-worker is like "Here, take it, all yours...". lol Within a minute or so I got the top cover snapped back in place, it hold closed still as it should, back into perfect working order. lol
I jump into the SE forum and check out some links and threads, and as best I can tell it dates from before the 1919 Gem changeover to Gem Safety Razors, and doesn't have the bevel on the top cover plate that some of the 1918-1919 models had. I also ID'd the other SE, the heirloom one, as a Gem Featherweight, with the white plastic handle. It's also in really good shape and usable.
I guess someday I need to track down some good SE blades at this point and give these guys a spin, since fate seems to be telling me I have to try an SE shave at some point. lol
