So no suprise to people that know me here that I still love the Gem. Tonight I broke out one that I had not shaved with yet. It is a 1912 Gem Junior that has a plastic handle... not the thick baton looking handle, but a slim octagonal looking thing. It is more into line with a regular metal handle. This thing shaved wonderful. The balance with the plastic handle was great. Well worth the couple dollars I gave for it. My guess is that it is a military version. I am going to try to find some info on it. For you guys and gals that have not tried them.. you gotta try one of these things. Fuzzy
From that title I was expecting to hear of your adventures sneaking into the rest home after hours. I have a GEM Jr. like yours and I'd guess the handle is Bakelite like the big Jr.
I think it is,, should have said that instead of plastic.. do you agree that it was probably a military model? I get that look some times whem I talk about taking out a 90 year old.. I regualerly shave with razors older then that. Fuzzy
I have a military GEM but it's a 1914 model. I also have a cased big handle "Parade" Jr. that's definitely civilian and sold for $.39, don't know about the thin Jr. though?
I'm waiting (not patiently) to get my box of stuff with the Gem razor in it. I picked up a pkg of SE blades at family dollar store when I went to town today.
Fuzzy, does it look like this one? I was told that it was a 1943 GI issue, but have not confirmed it. I will have to try this one some time.
Yes that is it... mine is in great shape too wish I had a case for it.. that thing shaves great,. I think I like it better then the heavy handle one. As far as 1943.. they were building the micromatic by then,. did they also continue production of the 1912 pat head? Very cool.. You will love it I hope Fuzzy
Right on time... I did not realize that they made that head for that long. It did shave good by the way. Not as good as my superior though. Fuzzy
I have to agree. They shave much differently than the micromatics. They are much milder in my opinion. And both require less passes than with a DE. Usually 2. Sometimes I'll do 3 with the 1912 just to go that extra mile. I love the heavy handle.
The heavy handle 1912 is my second favorite.. the older lather catchers are the best IMO. I am very partial to my 1910 Gem Junior and 1908 Superior. I also have a 1900 Superior that is a great shaver. But you really have to watch it and drive the things or they will bite. Fuzzy
Do you have any pics of the "heavy handle" version you speak of? I shaved for the first time with my 1912 Gem Deluxe and well.. I need to try again cause I didn't go so well. Perhaps the blade was bad or my prep was lacking something... ? Although I've great success with the Gbar, Micromatic (bullseye) and push button.. I can't wait to try other Gems, especially this heavy handle version.. !!
I bought mine from Guido... it is in wonderful shape this is the picture he sent me before I got it from him. It is also called the ornate handle.. Fuzzy
I love my ornate handle ever-ready/gem. It is the best handle that I have tried for the SE. I have two different GEM ornate handles: one is gold/brass and it is a bit longer than the nickel ornate handle. Metal compositions may not be correct... I am going from memory. I haven't tried anything with a plastic handle... well that is not true. I did use a Krona once. The plastic just doesn't have the right feel/heft. I haven't been able to get a lather catcher yet, so for now, favorite SE is the 1912 Gem or 1914 ER with ornate.
