A post on FB with a PAA Starling SE prototype...... Interesting.

This particular design isn't as appealing to me because I don't see how it is any different than the old school GEMs. Unless it is a 3-piece. It's hard to tell from the picture whether it's a flip top or 3-piece. I think I might stick to the vintages over this one, although for only $25, it could be worth a try. But like EFDan said, highly doubt that will be the final price.

It's a 3 piece.

I have to ask myself why? The blade selection is Spartan at best with little if any modern blade technology being implemented for these "dinosaurs". As well, with Personna (Edgewell) as the only U.S. maker and being sold twice in the past couple of years I would not bank on the blades being made much longer as they cannot possibly be a money maker. That leaves the Pakistani Treet carbon blades.

GEM blades are largely used for science and industry. Wet shaving is unlikely a prime use for these blades. Because of their importance as a scientific and industrial implement, I don't think they will be going anywhere or else they would have already.

I also find the argument for new blade technology underwhelming. Vintage DE blades shave very similarly to modern DE blades and some people prefer the older blades.

My mother refuses to toss these 70s brown plastic coffeecups you bought white plastic disposable inserts for 'eliminating' the need to wash cups. They came with a LIFETIME WARRANTY and she still periodically asks the local market when they will restock.

Lol people actually think Gem blades are still being produced to supply shavers??? Deear Murica, you used to be to voice of common sense... used to be....

Lol people actually think Gem blades are still being produced to supply shavers??? Deear Murica, you used to be to voice of common sense... used to be....

Actually, they are.

Industrial blades are manufactured at a blade thickness of 0.1mm at the edge. Shaving blades are manufactured at 0.09mm at the edge.

Industrial blades are not coated. Shaving blades have a PTFE teflon coating.

GEM Blue Star carbon steel blades are manufactured as a shaving blade and are not intended to be used as a scraper.

Shaving may not be a primary user group for the production of single edge blades but they are still a recognized user group, and there are still blades currently in production designed to be used as a shaving blade, as opposed to a scraper.

Have you ever tried to scrape paint with a blade designed for shaving? They break. Quickly. I wouldn't even attempt to remove silicone from a roof flashing with one...

And those white plastic inserts for the brown coffee cups are still available through Uline, last time I checked. Look under "hospitality". Just FYI...


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It's crazy how 0.01mm can make that much of a difference isn't it?

Lol people actually think Gem blades are still being produced to supply shavers???  Deear Murica, you used to be to voice of common sense... used to be....

Actually, they are.

Industrial blades are manufactured at a blade thickness of 0.1mm at the edge. Shaving blades are manufactured at 0.09mm at the edge.

Industrial blades are not coated. Shaving blades have a PTFE teflon coating.

GEM Blue Star carbon steel blades are manufactured as a shaving blade and are not intended to be used as a scraper.

Shaving may not be a primary user group for the production of single edge blades but they are still a recognized user group, and there are still blades currently in production designed to be used as a shaving blade, as opposed to a scraper.

Have you ever tried to scrape paint with a blade designed for shaving? They break. Quickly. I wouldn't even attempt to remove silicone from a roof flashing with one...

And those white plastic inserts for the brown coffee cups are still available through Uline, last time I checked. Look under "hospitality". Just FYI...


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so what you saying is the 0.1mm makes that much difference that if one tries to scrape with it some paint from a window it will break? Don't forget the PTFE ones are not marketed as shaving blades and yet they are the best of all Gems for shaving

Lol people actually think Gem blades are still being produced to supply shavers???  Deear Murica, you used to be to voice of common sense... used to be....

Industrial blades are not coated. Shaving blades have a PTFE teflon coating.

The PTFE blades are also used a lot in scientific applications, apparently. Used for dissection and in microtomes. I'm not sure the advantage for these applications and I've also read that the PTFE is better for cutting through epoxy. You'll find them for sale at most scientific/microscopy sites.

OK, so the blade shortage myth has been busted. Now back to your regularly scheduled programming about why SE razor makers are going to suck............because my Wolfman is better, and you don't have one

OK, so the blade shortage myth has been busted.  Now back to your regularly scheduled programming about why SE razor makers are going to suck............because my Wolfman is better, and you don't have one

LOL Well no one can guarantee that shortage wont happen, I believe some years a go Personna was going belly up and some other corp bought it off and every since then they have been steadily producing blades. If no one bought Personna off then yes Gem blades would of been in shortage considering Schick is already producing Injector blades and tons of other companies are producing the DE blades.

What I'm not sure is if Personna is also the manufacturer of Treet and Blue Star blades, if yes then if Personna goes belly up yes Gem shavers are in trouble.

I honestly doubt that will happen, looks like demand for the Gem,Injector and DE from Personna is in high demands and no one wants to let go of good and steady business.