I have most of the Gems and swear by them. The G-bar is my favorite. However, You are correct about those blade stops. I saw a 1912 on ebay a few years ago and it looked great on ebay. It was clean and polished, beautiful. So I bought it and one of the blade stops were missing. I got half credit back from the seller since the handle was pristine. So be very careful when you buy these old razors and zoom in on the picture. Don't assume that everything is perfect. Thank you for this great video.
I have the Blackland Sabre in machined stainless steel which uses gem blades. Fantastic shave. Two plates to choose from, plate 1 mild, plate 2 more aggressive. Interesting to here you talk about only buying Personna blades, I didn’t realise they made all the blades and that the others are just rebranded. Thanks for the heads up.
@@nickkambitis5340 This is good to know. I shave every day, and pretty aggressively, so plate 1 does it for me. But in Karve C.B. terms, I'd put plate 1 in the B range, not A or AA, so I wouldn't call it extremely mild. It's like a 1912 Jr. in aggression. I could probably live with the 2 plate since I use a D plate now and then. But I prefer a B or C, and I've never been tempted by the Micromatics. The bottom line is, we sound like two happy customers. Thanks for getting back.
Hey. Happy Friday. I agree, you ride the cap you're generally going to get a good shave with these razors. I like these thicker blades. Have a good one
Great short introduction to ASR razors, I have to agree with your knowledge and experiences with using them, it takes a few shaves to dial them in but they just work well with a Gem Personna SS PTFE blade. I have been using my Gem & other ASR brand names for about 5 years and they are very enjoyable to use. Have a great weekend.
Nice video Henry. Mark from Friendship recommended a 1912 to me. I may get one sometime this year and now I understand the blades. I was looking at blades just yesterday and was a bit confused. Only having one makes it a lot simpler.
Mark made the same pitch to me. He wasn't kidding. I started with the 1912 Junior. They're a lot less than the Damaskeenes and not that different in performance.
Good video. I was on the fence about getting, using and owning Gem razors. But I picked them up and I like them. They are an underrated razor. I have a 1912 patent well 1930's Gem Junior, two 2nd gen Micromatics, a SB Clog Pruf and a OC, and a Gem G handle. I have used a Gem Featherlite-Featherweight, Gem push button. All good shaving razors.
Hey Henry. This was an excellent video - I really enjoyed it. I actually bought a Streamline for £15, the other day! I was very lucky. I love the aesthetic of these old SE razors and they give, as we both well know, excellent shaves. The G/E bar razor is another terrific example. Thanks buddy. All the best.
I've gotten a spread of GEM razors and must say they're all quite comfortable shavers, though the Micromatic definitely needs a lighter touch to use. I think that the thing holding GEM blades back is the way that the blade is mounted and secured in these razors prevents the blade from being used to maximum effect. I'm interested in seeing how the Blackland Sabre performs.
Thanks for putting this out there. I think everyone should try a GEM razor and more than once. I think the mistake a lot of people make is not giving themselves a few shaves to adjust. My first GEM shave was with a Feather Weight and, somewhat ironically, I shredded my face. It took me a little while to build up the courage to try again however the next shave was wonderful. My favorite GEM is the Heavy Flat Top aka G-Bar. I'm not sure if it's the extra weight or the excellent handle design but I find it to be the right balance of smooth and efficient for my face. I would like to try a Blackland Sabre for the novelty of it, although I doubt it's worth $275 when it likely shaves no better than one of the vintage ones do.
Great introduction, HD! I recall your earlier shaves using these razors. At the time GEMs seemed menacing to me. (Just imagine what TSA would say if they found one in your carry-on.) But that was then, and I'm glad to see you promote them. I agree with you on blades. Personna GEMs are the blades to use. Full stop. I'd add that GEM blades last so long compared to DE's that the price per blade is deceptive. My two favorite vintage razors are the Damaskeene and the 1912 Gem Junior for the reason you give: they're at the mild end of the scale and just a notch apart. (My Featherweight somehow isn't as comfortable.) The Junior also comes with a cone-shaped Bakelite handle. I really like mine. They can still be had for a decent price and can be restored with a toothbrush and watch crystal polish. One other aggressive model I'd caution folks about is the 1924 "Shovelhead," which opens from the front. It's what kept me from venturing into "Micromatic territory." Instead I bought a Blackland Sabre with the milder plate. It has tremendous blade control, which is less of a factor than with DEs but still a consideration. But it's really for those who are already sold on this way of shaving. I wish it weighed less and had a shorter handle, but that's a quibble. It's an exceptional razor.
Nice video man. I have a vintage Ever-Ready 1912 and the Blackland Sabre, that’s the extend of my Gem razor experience. I kinda wish I had my Sabre out here, I didn’t get a chance to do a lot of shave with it before I left. Take care now!
I can highly recommend this vendor! lcdoublereeds.com/products/gem-coated-stainless-steel-single-edge-razor-blades-pack-of-100?_pos=2&_sid=16451a2a9&_ss=r
Nice introduction to gem razors! I saw pictures of a razor called the Ever Ready Sunray. It is easily one of the most beautiful razors I've seen. Really hard to find though. Don't know if you've tried it but if so, does it shave like any other model that's easier to find? Also, what's your favorite gem style razor if you could pick one modern and one vintage?
Hi HD. I was wondering what your thoughts are on the push button GEM in terms of aggression and efficiency. Haven't used a SE yet and am deciding between that and the featherweight.
Most people will agree that Pushbutton is more aggressive/efficient than Featherweight. I know more people that hate the Featherweight compared to Pushbutton, so I'd recommend you start with a Pushbutton! Good luck.
@@HDShaves Thanks. I must say that the Pushbutton is a much better looking razor as far as aethetics go. To me the Featherweight looks kind of like a Fischer-Price toy. :)
![SahBabii - Viking [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/D37cL92JX0I/mqdefault.jpg)
I have most of the Gems and swear by them. The G-bar is my favorite. However, You are correct about those blade stops. I saw a 1912 on ebay a few years ago and it looked great on ebay. It was clean and polished, beautiful. So I bought it and one of the blade stops were missing. I got half credit back from the seller since the handle was pristine. So be very careful when you buy these old razors and zoom in on the picture. Don't assume that everything is perfect. Thank you for this great video.
same thing on me with a 1914 ER. i won't buy one unless i can clearly see the stops are there
I have the Blackland Sabre in machined stainless steel which uses gem blades. Fantastic shave. Two plates to choose from, plate 1 mild, plate 2 more aggressive. Interesting to here you talk about only buying Personna blades, I didn’t realise they made all the blades and that the others are just rebranded. Thanks for the heads up.
Do you have both plates, Nick? If so, which do you like more?
@@Warren.I I have plate 2. Plate 1 I’m told is extremely mild. Plate 2 feels like a Karve Christopher Bradley plate c/d
@@nickkambitis5340 This is good to know. I shave every day, and pretty aggressively, so plate 1 does it for me. But in Karve C.B. terms, I'd put plate 1 in the B range, not A or AA, so I wouldn't call it extremely mild. It's like a 1912 Jr. in aggression. I could probably live with the 2 plate since I use a D plate now and then. But I prefer a B or C, and I've never been tempted by the Micromatics. The bottom line is, we sound like two happy customers. Thanks for getting back.
There are Feather Seikan and Hi-Stainless, but allegedly those aren't as nice, especially not the Seikan (carbon steel).
Hey. Happy Friday. I agree, you ride the cap you're generally going to get a good shave with these razors. I like these thicker blades. Have a good one
Great short introduction to ASR razors, I have to agree with your knowledge and experiences with using them, it takes a few shaves to dial them in but they just work well with a Gem Personna SS PTFE blade. I have been using my Gem & other ASR brand names for about 5 years and they are very enjoyable to use. Have a great weekend.
Nice collection. Love my GEM’S. Been looking for a Streamline. They are hard to find for sure.
Great Video as always man!!! I have two 30s-ish 1912s and love then. Mild but efficient shavers!
Nice video Henry. Mark from Friendship recommended a 1912 to me. I may get one sometime this year and now I understand the blades. I was looking at blades just yesterday and was a bit confused. Only having one makes it a lot simpler.
Please report back after you’ve had your first 1912 + PTFE blade shave 🙂
Mark made the same pitch to me. He wasn't kidding. I started with the 1912 Junior. They're a lot less than the Damaskeenes and not that different in performance.
Interesting video on the Gem. I really like the design of them.
Thanks HD,
Lindsay 💈
Good video. I was on the fence about getting, using and owning Gem razors. But I picked them up and I like them. They are an underrated razor. I have a 1912 patent well 1930's Gem Junior, two 2nd gen Micromatics, a SB Clog Pruf and a OC, and a Gem G handle. I have used a Gem Featherlite-Featherweight, Gem push button. All good shaving razors.
Hey Henry. This was an excellent video - I really enjoyed it. I actually bought a Streamline for £15, the other day! I was very lucky. I love the aesthetic of these old SE razors and they give, as we both well know, excellent shaves. The G/E bar razor is another terrific example. Thanks buddy. All the best.
I've gotten a spread of GEM razors and must say they're all quite comfortable shavers, though the Micromatic definitely needs a lighter touch to use. I think that the thing holding GEM blades back is the way that the blade is mounted and secured in these razors prevents the blade from being used to maximum effect. I'm interested in seeing how the Blackland Sabre performs.
Thanks for putting this out there. I think everyone should try a GEM razor and more than once. I think the mistake a lot of people make is not giving themselves a few shaves to adjust. My first GEM shave was with a Feather Weight and, somewhat ironically, I shredded my face. It took me a little while to build up the courage to try again however the next shave was wonderful. My favorite GEM is the Heavy Flat Top aka G-Bar. I'm not sure if it's the extra weight or the excellent handle design but I find it to be the right balance of smooth and efficient for my face. I would like to try a Blackland Sabre for the novelty of it, although I doubt it's worth $275 when it likely shaves no better than one of the vintage ones do.
Hey buddy.. Phoenix Artisan Accoutrements makes a Gem style razor called the Starling and it's under 50 bucks..
Howdy and greetings across the big pond. Very helpful introduction, I really enjoy these Gem /Star razors.
Have a great day and stay safe 😎🪒💈
Great introduction, HD! I recall your earlier shaves using these razors. At the time GEMs seemed menacing to me. (Just imagine what TSA would say if they found one in your carry-on.) But that was then, and I'm glad to see you promote them.
I agree with you on blades. Personna GEMs are the blades to use. Full stop. I'd add that GEM blades last so long compared to DE's that the price per blade is deceptive.
My two favorite vintage razors are the Damaskeene and the 1912 Gem Junior for the reason you give: they're at the mild end of the scale and just a notch apart. (My Featherweight somehow isn't as comfortable.) The Junior also comes with a cone-shaped Bakelite handle. I really like mine. They can still be had for a decent price and can be restored with a toothbrush and watch crystal polish.
One other aggressive model I'd caution folks about is the 1924 "Shovelhead," which opens from the front. It's what kept me from venturing into "Micromatic territory." Instead I bought a Blackland Sabre with the milder plate. It has tremendous blade control, which is less of a factor than with DEs but still a consideration. But it's really for those who are already sold on this way of shaving. I wish it weighed less and had a shorter handle, but that's a quibble. It's an exceptional razor.
Agreed with you about 1912 Junior and Damaskeene!
And also the 1924 being dangerous at times 😅
Nice video man. I have a vintage Ever-Ready 1912 and the Blackland Sabre, that’s the extend of my Gem razor experience. I kinda wish I had my Sabre out here, I didn’t get a chance to do a lot of shave with it before I left. Take care now!
Great video for someone wanting to get into SE shaving. I've tried a couple SE razors in the past! LOL
Thanks for sharing HD!!
What, You? SE Razors? 😂😂
I have recently got a gem (around 1940-1943) but haven't used it due to the expense of the blades.
I can highly recommend this vendor! lcdoublereeds.com/products/gem-coated-stainless-steel-single-edge-razor-blades-pack-of-100?_pos=2&_sid=16451a2a9&_ss=r
Nice introduction to gem razors! I saw pictures of a razor called the Ever Ready Sunray. It is easily one of the most beautiful razors I've seen. Really hard to find though. Don't know if you've tried it but if so, does it shave like any other model that's easier to find?
Also, what's your favorite gem style razor if you could pick one modern and one vintage?
@@konap7 yes, Sun Ray is basically the same as a 1912.
I quite like the GEM Pushbutton
@@HDShaves
Thanks! I'll look into that one
Where can I purchase a new gem
Very nice! Interesting!
Nice video and thoughts !
My box says GEM, stainless, 3-facet, but uncoated. Are these ok to shave with?
I would not recommend it. Coating is important for comfort in shaving with most razor blades (double-edged included!)
Hi HD. I was wondering what your thoughts are on the push button GEM in terms of aggression and efficiency. Haven't used a SE yet and am deciding between that and the featherweight.
Most people will agree that Pushbutton is more aggressive/efficient than Featherweight. I know more people that hate the Featherweight compared to Pushbutton, so I'd recommend you start with a Pushbutton! Good luck.
@@HDShaves Thanks. I must say that the Pushbutton is a much better looking razor as far as aethetics go. To me the Featherweight looks kind of like a Fischer-Price toy. :)
@@pauldenali6367 great way to put it, totally agreed!