Gem G bar and Maseto brush maiden cruise

Discussion in 'Safety Razors' started by Razorhound, Nov 14, 2017.

  1. Razorhound

    Razorhound Active Member

    I have to tip my hat to a razor that I find the least aesthetically pleasing out of my collection and a brush that I hoped would live up to expectations and hype. The GEM is my first SE razor and non Gillette or Merkur that I have purchased. I got the GEM in a antique store in good shape for $8 and even though I find it odd looking compared to Gillette offerings.....I figured why not? It will be a conversation piece if nothing else.
    With the purchase of cheapo blades from CVS (ptfe blades on the way) and a two day growth the ugly little single edge razor lived up to its reputation as a top notch shaver. The most comfortable easy shave I have had. Other razors in my collection do the job intended. For being efficient though I put the GEM right there with my Futur, with the Futur being closer though to jumping on a crotch rocket three sheets in the wind and the GEM being closer to a child's bicycle with training wheels.

    On to the Maseto 30mm 2 band badger. I had high expectations as I had read many positive accounts about the Maseto punching above its price point and for a first impression I would agree. Impressive lathering right out of the box with backbone and comfortable on the face. I can easily see this being my go to brush. Even though I have not used my Semogue OC boar yet if it even equals the Maseto I will be pleasantly surprised.
     
    AGHisBBS, Jim99, jimjo1031 and 2 others like this.
  2. swarden43

    swarden43 "It's your shave. Enjoy it your way."©

    Yer new, so we'll cut ya some slack. SOME, mind you.
    'Round here, no pics means it never happened.
    Ain't gonna be so easy on ya next time.

    :D
     
    AGHisBBS and Razorhound like this.
  3. jar

    jar Well-Known Member

    And these days even with pics it may never have happened.
     
    AGHisBBS and Razorhound like this.
  4. rabidus

    rabidus Member



    Make sure you dry those CVS blades, they rust quick!
     
    Ijustmissedthe50s and Razorhound like this.
  5. Razorhound

    Razorhound Active Member

    Mea culpa. Although the expression that "Big Charlie" exhibits in photo might indicate a real lack of enthusiasm for this exercise he assures me that being drug out of top of the closet and pimped in such a manner "should in no way constitute you feeling that you forced a monstrous imposition on my time and dignity.....AT ALL!" Anyway.......pictures. IMG_0941[1].JPG IMG_0940[1].JPG IMG_0938[1].JPG
     
  6. swarden43

    swarden43 "It's your shave. Enjoy it your way."©

    Excellent!
    And pass along thanks to Big Charlie!
     
    Razorhound likes this.
  7. GarnerPW

    GarnerPW Well-Known Member

    @Razorhound what you have there is a Heavy Flat Top GEM also know as a G-Bar. Yes they are great razors and easy to find the proper angle on. GEM made some great razors and can be picked up for less then $20. You should keep a look out for a GEM MicroMatic Razor, the Open Comb (OCMM), the Clog Prof (CPMM) and the Flying Wing AKA Bullet Tip (FWMM/BTMM). Some say the OCMM is more aggressive than the G-Bar and one of GEMs most aggressive razors (YMMV).
    Now if you want to go old school GEM you can get a Lather Catcher. They are quite sexy to look at and make wonderful shavers. Oh I'm sorry have I been enabling? To see some other Single Edge (SE) Razor porn check out the Injector & SE Party !!! thread. Yet be careful, the SE rabbit hole is deep. I started here at TSD as a straight user and fell into the SE hole and have not found my way out yet.
    I too have a MS 30mm 2 band brush, though the blue handle is new to me, I like it. On another forum some have compared the MS 30mm to the Simpson CH3. Where the MS is over $250 cheaper than the Simpson. I also have their synthetic brush and love it.
     
    Jim99 likes this.
  8. Jayaruh

    Jayaruh The Cackalacky House Pet

    Supporting Vendor
    Nice pics. Now, I can believe it.
     
    Razorhound likes this.
  9. Jim99

    Jim99 Gold Water Shaver

    The g-bar is one of my favorites and always delivers great shaves.
     
    Razorhound and GarnerPW like this.
  10. Jim99

    Jim99 Gold Water Shaver

    +1
     
    GarnerPW likes this.
  11. swarden43

    swarden43 "It's your shave. Enjoy it your way."©

    Yup.
     
    Jim99 likes this.

Share This Page