sweet handle.
The Gem 1912 Registry (post pics of your 1912s)
- Thread starter mos6502
- Start date
'aye ... both quite tactile and efficient as a grip, in use.
OK, so I picked up another 1912 like the New Deluxe that I found a few weeks back. Same everything as the first one, but this one is stamped Damaskeene on the inside.
It is mostly from 1922-1925, and in the last version of the Damaskeene razors. It does not say "Use Only Damaskeene Blades", just "Damaskeene Blades", as at the same time the new GEM Double Life Blades where coming on the market.
It is mostly from 1922-1925, and in the last version of the Damaskeene razors. It does not say "Use Only Damaskeene Blades", just "Damaskeene Blades", as at the same time the new GEM Double Life Blades where coming on the market.
I think I've just bagged one of those myself ...
... I have to wait the cursory 3-4 weeks for it to fly over the Atlantic. Funny, I'm sure last time I flew over the Atlantic, it took a lot less time. I did pay a lot more that time, though
Yes, very nice catch ...
I think what you have there is the crossover period somewhere around 1919. I'd love to hear others' opinion on this.
... I have to wait the cursory 3-4 weeks for it to fly over the Atlantic. Funny, I'm sure last time I flew over the Atlantic, it took a lot less time. I did pay a lot more that time, though
Yes, very nice catch ...
I think what you have there is the crossover period somewhere around 1919. I'd love to hear others' opinion on this.
My Ever Ready 1912 - Straight blade cap.
Showing blade exposure
Showing blade exposure
Let's keep this one rolling ...
Here's a smashing bakelite set I picked up recently:
... and a tatty, curiously handled Damaskeene:
Here's a smashing bakelite set I picked up recently:
... and a tatty, curiously handled Damaskeene:
That is the identical handle design to my small-threaded Ever Ready 1912 Brooklyn, adding weight to the "using up old stock" theory about the Brooklyn which is identical in design to the Damaskeene...
Is it just the handle that makes it a New Deluxe?
Presenting the British Made GEM* set:
... and to keep it company, my British Made Ever Ready set of the same:
* Yes, British Made!
... and to keep it company, my British Made Ever Ready set of the same:
* Yes, British Made!
Nice, I had no idea those existed. I thought it was only ERs that were made in England. Probably as elusive as the GEM Jewel.
- Thread starter
- #112
Well that makes at least two brit Gem 1912s. 
For the Canadian market, do you think mos6502?
I have the same GEM. It's by far my favorite SE....So far....
- Thread starter
- #115
That was my first thought since mine came from Canada. Did yours come from Canada?
I might have to watch Canadian ebay listings and see how often british made Gems show up there.
Mine was already re-patriated ... Good call, time for a sniff around Canadian eBay.
Here is a 1912 variant that I don't see represented in this thread: The Gem de Luxe. According to Waits, this was one of the very first Gems with the 1912 design, with print advertisements dating back to 1911.
The most immediately noticeable feature of this razor is that it has an open comb. In fact, it bears a strong resemblance to the open comb Damaskeene featured earlier in this thread, with the curved top plate.
But it is not a Damaskeene, there is nothing at all engraved on the inside of the bed plate.
The back of the bed plate is also different from any other 1912 that I have seen.
I noticed the "Pat" underneath the Gem de Luxe, which I assume was short for Patent Pending, as there is no Pat'd 1912 around the handle socket.
I also noticed that the handle has the smaller thread, like the Damaskeenes. The handle is hollow, and probably originally had a stropper stored inside it, which is long gone.
The two-tone spring-loaded blade bank is also interesting. Quoting Waits, "Possibly the first blade dispenser." It is marked, "Gem Cutlery Co. N.Y." on one end.
It is a smooth shaver. I was expecting it to be more agressive than my closed comb Damaskeenes, but I actually found the shave to be very similar. There is something magical about shaving with a razor that is over 100 years old.
--Bob
The most immediately noticeable feature of this razor is that it has an open comb. In fact, it bears a strong resemblance to the open comb Damaskeene featured earlier in this thread, with the curved top plate.
But it is not a Damaskeene, there is nothing at all engraved on the inside of the bed plate.
The back of the bed plate is also different from any other 1912 that I have seen.
I noticed the "Pat" underneath the Gem de Luxe, which I assume was short for Patent Pending, as there is no Pat'd 1912 around the handle socket.
I also noticed that the handle has the smaller thread, like the Damaskeenes. The handle is hollow, and probably originally had a stropper stored inside it, which is long gone.
The two-tone spring-loaded blade bank is also interesting. Quoting Waits, "Possibly the first blade dispenser." It is marked, "Gem Cutlery Co. N.Y." on one end.
It is a smooth shaver. I was expecting it to be more agressive than my closed comb Damaskeenes, but I actually found the shave to be very similar. There is something magical about shaving with a razor that is over 100 years old.
--Bob
That is absolutely beautiful!
The two on the left are 1912 Ever Ready, the third from left is a Gem, the right one is a Gem junior.
This razor looks like the earlier mentioned gem bakelite but it says treet on it like the brand of blades. Is it the same thing? Haven't shaved with it yet only shaved with a OCMM and clog pruf. What should I expect? Anyways here it is. View attachment 492422View attachment 492423View attachment 492424
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