I passed up a GEM Micromatic SE at an antique store for $6. It's goldish color and in good shape. Should I go back and get it ? Is it worth it?
If it is not scarred up, the finish is complete (not brassing) and it does not appear to have physical damage like parts misalignment, then yes. To me the Single Edges appear in higher quality in greater quantity at a lower price than other razors. So many who buy them become a little more selective. Tom (Hoosier Trooper) is our Gemologist. I am sure he will be along to discuss this topic! Are you or could you be able to send a pic?
Yep....Go get it.....Quickly....... Now what type of razor was it....lol.... All kidding aside, lots of people love those....Check out the 'Injector & SE Razor Party' Thread....There are lots of posts about those..Lots of pics to oggle..and you can ask there aswell....In reference to the price....yes that is a great price....if it meets the criteria that GD gave you.... Those are excellent razors....but if you are one who does not like to turn his Gillette adjustable higher than #3....or thinks their Super Speed is a little aggressive, then you might want to demure on this one and look for a Lather Catcher....But if you like a slightly more aggressive razor this could be your 'cup of tea'.
I was thinking the same thing Lloyd. I saw the title "Should I buy it?" and the answer was yes before I even knew what "it" was.
Yes buy it,for 6 bucks you get too try the world of shaving with a SE razor.Of course you'll need blades so add another 2-5 bucks.
Sure, you can test drive a whole genre of shaving with a classic razor....If you don't dig it, as inexpensive as it is, you can always pif it to someone... Cause someone is gonna dig it !
good point! I'll go pick it up tomorrow if they are open. I also saw a few old shaving brushes that didn't strike my fancy until I went to TGN. A couple of bakelite, ever ready, old spice, etc.
Yep, it's worth $6 if it's in good shape. Which model was it? Also, check out the brushes, some vintage brushes can be restored or used as is. The Old Spice brush in particular would be worth a second look.
I have several vintage brushes with their original knot. They're in my brush rotation and get their turn just like all the others.
I'm not sure which model the GEM was, but it was in very nice shape. And now that I looked at the SE party thread, I remember seeing what I believe is an Ever Ready lather catcher in the case for about 20 bucks. Good shape there too. The old spice brush I saw was being sold as a mismatched set with an OS mug, the taller bigger handled one that seems to be more a coffee mug than shaving mug. She was selling the set for 16$ All the brushes I've seen have the yellow hairs that are all swirled and effed up. I'm really only seeing their potential for restoration.
You're right about the mug, that is from the Morning Refreshser set that was sold in 1984 and 1985 and are often mislabelled as a shaving mug.
All I use are vintage brushes with original knots except for two handmade brushes that a member at B&B made for me.
So I went and bought it today. It's a Gem Micromatic and I got it for $5. It opens smoothly and seems to be in very good condition.
I also took a pic of the rest of the decent shaving stuff they had. L-R Dubl Duck brush. handle in fair shape, They wanted $26 for it? Next Everready razor in box, They are asking $25 but I can get it for 19, The shave cup with brush in it is made in china cheapie, but the brush is a gillette large badger. They want $18. Last is the Ever ready badger brush. They want $18 for that. I just don't know enough about them to know if they are worth what they are asking. I checked the OS brush which said made in Taiwan. Appears to be just okay.\
That last picture you posted makes me feel way less guilty about raiding ebay over the last 24 hours LOL. Hope I can pull off some great buys like you did!
