Disclaimer: This is written tongue in cheek and not intended to offend anyone or disparage their choice of shaving equipment...Entertainment purposes only so please don't get your drawers in a wad 
It seems noobies are inevitably steered toward the ubiquitous DE and yeah, different strokes for different folks but I've yet to see a double edge (any double edge) that could compare to the lowly, underated Gem SE for consistently great shaves. I started with a Open Comb Micromatic and despite lots of experimentation, the only thing that could even come close was the Gem Junior 1912. Well, OK, on most days if I was forced to pick a winner it would probably be the Junior (but not by a whole bunch).
Yes, I have used DE razors, an L-2 Slim Adjustable jumped out and grabbed me one Saturday and for $4 I couldn't afford not to buy it. It certainly delivered at least an acceptable shave but most of the time, even cranked up to 9, this thing was almost a laughably timid little razor by comparison to the brash, burly, utilitarian Gems. Indeed, the only thing that kept the Gillette in my rotation was my discovery that it was far more suited for the behind the back techique and far kinder to my malformed cranium than its single edge brothers. A DE has not touched my face for several months now. It would appear that the growth sector of my rotation is exclusively SE and will remain that way for some time to come.
Merkurs and their ilk are very reminiscent of a high maintenance woman, flashy, conceited, trendy and requiring constant attention. However, the performance seldom lives up to the hype. The Gem on the other hand is like the girl next door that's hotter than a $2 pistol and totally doesn't know it. No attitude or pretense here, nothing flashy or trendy about the Gem (or the girl next door). They just do what they do, and do it consistently well. Of course YMMV but I myself was always kind of a Mary Ann guy, thus I'm a Gemocrat. Not to mention that for the price of one new Merkur, one could assemble a burgeoning rotation of Gems in a mixture of Micromatics and/or 1912's. The lather catchers of course would be a bit more (I'm still stalking these and hope to have one by Christmas).
My intent here was not to slam Merkurs or DE razors in general but it just seems like the lowly SE doesn't get it's propers. On one hand, I should probably be grateful. If Gems were as trendy as Merkurs, they'd be outlandishly priced on ebay and the band of loyal Gemocrats would be muscled out of the market by the onslaught of BMWs and Armani suits looking for their shot at the next big thing. This isn't and never has been the Gem's niche. Like Kaywoodie pipes, Prince Albert tobacco, Copenhagen snuff and old Ford trucks, Gem razors were for Everyman. A small but very simple (and affordable) luxury in what may be an otherwise fairly spartan existence. There's certainly a multitude of more expensive razors but a better shave at any price is not available. If you're one of the "Merkur and Feather blades are the center of the universe" crowd, do yourself a favor and try one Gem Jr. 1912. If you don't like it, it can always save its place in your rotation as a window/paint scraper. Odds are though, your beloved DE will sooner be riding the pine once you've heard the Gem siren song. Gem's old ads use to say "Guaranteed no 5 o'clock shadow" This is no BS. Typically if I shave in the morning my 5'oclock shadow comes out at about 10 or 11 o'clock at night. How 'bout that, a product that does what it says.
It seems noobies are inevitably steered toward the ubiquitous DE and yeah, different strokes for different folks but I've yet to see a double edge (any double edge) that could compare to the lowly, underated Gem SE for consistently great shaves. I started with a Open Comb Micromatic and despite lots of experimentation, the only thing that could even come close was the Gem Junior 1912. Well, OK, on most days if I was forced to pick a winner it would probably be the Junior (but not by a whole bunch).
Yes, I have used DE razors, an L-2 Slim Adjustable jumped out and grabbed me one Saturday and for $4 I couldn't afford not to buy it. It certainly delivered at least an acceptable shave but most of the time, even cranked up to 9, this thing was almost a laughably timid little razor by comparison to the brash, burly, utilitarian Gems. Indeed, the only thing that kept the Gillette in my rotation was my discovery that it was far more suited for the behind the back techique and far kinder to my malformed cranium than its single edge brothers. A DE has not touched my face for several months now. It would appear that the growth sector of my rotation is exclusively SE and will remain that way for some time to come.
Merkurs and their ilk are very reminiscent of a high maintenance woman, flashy, conceited, trendy and requiring constant attention. However, the performance seldom lives up to the hype. The Gem on the other hand is like the girl next door that's hotter than a $2 pistol and totally doesn't know it. No attitude or pretense here, nothing flashy or trendy about the Gem (or the girl next door). They just do what they do, and do it consistently well. Of course YMMV but I myself was always kind of a Mary Ann guy, thus I'm a Gemocrat. Not to mention that for the price of one new Merkur, one could assemble a burgeoning rotation of Gems in a mixture of Micromatics and/or 1912's. The lather catchers of course would be a bit more (I'm still stalking these and hope to have one by Christmas).
My intent here was not to slam Merkurs or DE razors in general but it just seems like the lowly SE doesn't get it's propers. On one hand, I should probably be grateful. If Gems were as trendy as Merkurs, they'd be outlandishly priced on ebay and the band of loyal Gemocrats would be muscled out of the market by the onslaught of BMWs and Armani suits looking for their shot at the next big thing. This isn't and never has been the Gem's niche. Like Kaywoodie pipes, Prince Albert tobacco, Copenhagen snuff and old Ford trucks, Gem razors were for Everyman. A small but very simple (and affordable) luxury in what may be an otherwise fairly spartan existence. There's certainly a multitude of more expensive razors but a better shave at any price is not available. If you're one of the "Merkur and Feather blades are the center of the universe" crowd, do yourself a favor and try one Gem Jr. 1912. If you don't like it, it can always save its place in your rotation as a window/paint scraper. Odds are though, your beloved DE will sooner be riding the pine once you've heard the Gem siren song. Gem's old ads use to say "Guaranteed no 5 o'clock shadow" This is no BS. Typically if I shave in the morning my 5'oclock shadow comes out at about 10 or 11 o'clock at night. How 'bout that, a product that does what it says.
I have tears in my eyes.
