Hey everybody! I just got my RAD quelled for another day or so. I got three older razors today, a GEM junior (NOS from Razor Emporium)(no affiliation) and a GEM Micromatic as well as 1961 Fatboy!! All from the same place. I thought I read somewhere you have to open the fatboy before adjusting the aggressiveness or else something gets bent. It's definately easier to turn that way, and I just wanted some input on that. Also, the GEM Junior is so nice, I almost can't bear to use it!! I might clean off the tarnish a bit. What do you guys think? Would you use it?
Yes, you need to loosen the TTO a bit before adjusting. As far as your Gem Jr I can only go by my experience-I got a Malcutto from Germany-1930's NOS. I bought it to shave with. It felt a bit wrong to be taking the original packaging off of something so old, but I have no regrets-it's a great shaver-that's my humble opinion. BTW-which Gem Jr.? There are lots of them. There's the Leather Catchers from around 1900 and the 1913 version. I have both and both are absolutely great shavers but very different from each other. Congrats, I'd love to see pics of your new haul.
Way to go, Jason! What Danny said. As for using an NOS - you have to decide: Are you collecting to use? Or are you collecting to invest?
Congratulations on the razors. As far as loosening the Fatboy to make an adjustment goes, there is a kind of folk wisdom going around here and B&B that says you should. I've actually read the original instruction manuals, and they say nothing about this, but what the heck. It can't hurt, and these things don't grow on trees. I loosen mine before adjusting it. As for using your Gem Junior, my personal attitude is that I use every razor I buy, including some that were sealed NOS. Other people hate that attitude. It's your razor; do what will make you happiest. But if you do decide not to use it, definitely get another 1912 style to shave with. One of the best shaves around, IMHO.
dsalazar9- Hey thanks for the encouraging response. It is a GEM Junior 1912. That's as much as I know about it. As far as using it goes- I guess that depends on what I decide... But if I were to use it, how would I clean it up before use?? I used my fatboy yesterday and was really pleased with it! I think I will use the Micromatic tonight.
Do you know what kind of handle it has? There are some that are all metal, some have plastic handles. One of my favorite razors (I say that a lot) is a Gem Jr.from 1912 with a big fat plastic handle. I'm not sure what you mean by cleaning it. Keeping it rinsed off after each use with occasionally rubbing it down with a dry or damp rag should be enough. Another option for you (assuming you haven't opened it yet) is to get another Gem Jr from 1912 for use and keep this one as a collection item. The 1912 Gem Jr's are usually under $20, I got mine on ETSY for $9-it came with a box and instructions. I've seen a bunch of them at antique shops in the Chicago area and they come up on Ebay a lot. This 1912 version sold for $7 and it came with a Micromatic as well. http://cgi.ebay.com/Antique-Brass-G...tem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ead7a31ea Here's one with the plastic handle that sold for under $16: http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-GEM-Jun...tem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5ad96a5d1a
Danny, sorry I misspelled your name in my last post. It is a bakelite handle which is short and fat. It's kinda bulbous. I looked at those links, and both have ended and the pic is gone. But there is one that looks like it in the seller's other listings listed as "VINTAGE GEM JUNIOR USA AMERICAN NEW YORK SAFETY RAZOR" for 48 bucks buy it now. I guess I wanted to clean it up because it has been sitting on a shelf for 60 or so years (remember it's NOS) and has some tarnishing. I don't know how sanitary it is. I was thinking just some vinegar and water and a toothbrush?? Would CLR be too harsh? I've heard scrubbing bubbles is good, but it looks gold plated. Anyways, I think I am leaning towards using it. What the hay, right? I mean, it's gonna get wet, so what?? I am not gonna be ruining it, but rather using it. I don't really have an urge to collect old razors just to look at. That's no fun!
Sanitary is a complete absolute non-issue. I say this as a razor guy and a physician-I'm a Doctor dammit. (Star Trek reference not arrogance, I swear) As it's never been used all you'll need to do is rinse with off in water-if that. If you want to get some more sparkle from it, vinegar and a toothbrush is fine. My 1930's Malcutto needed nothing, just to be appreciated. I have that same short fat bakelite handled Gem from 1912-you will absolutely love it. That razor really likes Pella blades-it told me. Here's mine: Here's the link to the same razor for $20 on ETSY: http://www.etsy.com/listing/4468908...ors&ga_search_type=vintage&ga_page=4&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title
Ok, excellent. I will use it tomorrow. I used my Micromatic today and wasn't really thrilled. Not that bad, but kinda harsh. Might be just the blade I used as there wasn't as much cutting as dragging. I used the GEM blades by personna I got at the drugstore. I'm having trouble finding pella blades online, I am guessing I don't want injector blades like the ones from TSD store. I got some of the GEMs from TSD store which should arrive soon. I googled pella and ted pella razor blades and didn't find anything.
Information on the Pella blades is in this thread. Scroll down to get all the information. I have not used the Pella's myself. I have a large stock of what may be the same blades, that I bought on Amazon some time ago, but they have been out of stock there for a long time now, so I won't bother giving a link. Good blades, though, whether they're the same as the Pellas or not. Edit. Actually, not sure the Pella link is in there, but look here.
Thanks buddy. I just ordered 200 pella blades no. 121-3. Gee, I really hope I like them. I guess I may have a few extra to sell. 200 was all they offered. That's like three lifetime supplies!
Oh. Well, that's ok. I got a couple from TSD on the way, but I wasn't sure they were pella's. It just says "GEM blades" when I looked at the list. So I didn't click through and see where it says "aka Pellas". Even when I was ordering, I didn't know what to look for so it went over my head. My fault. Live and learn. If I can unload some, I will be happy. Added: I wonder if JoAnna needs some for the store??? It says there are only 4 orders in stock. I am guessing that's 20 blades. Maybe she could use a few.
Ok! I used the GEM Junior tonight! Wow! Not bad at all. I got some burns on my chin first pass, and some blood on my adam's apple until I did it right. Gotta learn somehow! Crappy blades, however. I used the personna GEMs. Not great. Looking forward to getting some Pella's. (and not selling them in this thread):ashamed001
Once you get the technique down pat, I'm guessing you won't find a HUGE difference between the stainless Gem blades and the Pella's. As a matter of fact, they are both made by the same company, it's just that the Pella's have a different coating and different bevel to the grind. That being said, I would pay extra for the Pella's, they seem to last a couple of shaves longer for me. Of course as with any talk of blades, YMMV!
