Supposing I wanted to get into SEs... what'd be a good one to start with?

[_MementoMori_]

I won a Gem Junior in an eBay lot recently and it kinda piqued my curiosity about SEs. I know a lot of you swear they provide the best shave one can get outside of a straight razor. Now, I don't think I'm going to be converted. I love DEs and I've put too much time and money into building my collection, but I would like to at least see what all the hype is about.

Thanks in advance!

 

[michiganlover]

The Gem Junior is one of the variations on the Gem 1912, and an excellent choice to start with.

Resistance to becoming a Gemocrat is futile!!

 

[maxman]

I picked up a Gem in a lot from the 'bay.
I had no intention of using it. I heard too many people say it's like shaving with a snow shovel.
But I've been tempted to give it a try.
I have some original Gem blades, I wonder if I could use them?

 

[stubblefree]

now get the twin, the 1912 gem. great shaver to add to ur collection, i have both. then the gem g-bar bar(feather weight), then 1900 lather catcher. i think i may have forgoten a few.

Hey Alex

Show us your den dude !!!


Vijay

 

[D.Irving79]

the 1912/1912 junior (as has already been said) are the ones to start with.

 

[GentsInstinct]

I prefer the gold and black Gem Push Button from the 1950s myself. Lightweight and nimble, it makes for a nice and quick SE shave. And it looks good too.

 

[michiganlover]

I have some original Gem blades, I wonder if I could use them?

Ouch! I sure wouldn't want to try them. Vintage Carbon Steel blades tend to be fairly worthless to shave with.

 

[Legion]

I like the look and feel of the 1912. I have a few different Gems and, truth be told, they all work as well as each other. I stick with the 1912 mainly because of aesthetics. I would really like a lather catcher, though.

 

[brianw]

Once you have gone SE, you will hardly ever turn back.... welcome to Land of great shaves

 

[Zumkopf]

I prefer the gold and black Gem Push Button from the 1950s myself. Lightweight and nimble, it makes for a nice and quick SE shave. And it looks good too.

I really do not like the later, plastic-handled GEMs (Featherweight, push-button) nearly as much as the earlier ones. The head is different, the weight is different, they're like toys and not particularly good ones.

I've found the 1912s to be great shavers -- and I don't care what anyone else says, the rounded head on the Damaskeenes shaves slightly better and gentler than the angled head design on the regular 1912 GEM and GEM Jr. But the difference is slight, I admit.

I think it's also generally agreed that the Micromatic Open Comb gives the closest, most aggressive shave -- which can be good, and bad.

I've never used one of the Lathercatchers, because they get snapped up before I can find one at a decent price. From all appearances, the lathercatchers seem like small straight razors on a stick. The 1912 is a different beast, a genuine safety razor.

 

[Left Coast DJ]

The Cobra Classic