SE Advice

Probably the 2 easiest to find starter SE razors are the GEM g-Bar aka Heavy Flat Top, and the GEM Featherweight. They are (or were) quite inexpensive.

The absolute mildest SE razor I ever used was a a GEM Jr Bar lather catcher. I had one and gave it away, that's how mild it was. I thought I got a bad first one so I did it again. Same thing; far too mild for me.

That sound as the SE mes down whiskers... some of us live for that buttering toast sound. :-)

Probably the 2 easiest to find starter SE razors are the GEM g-Bar aka Heavy Flat Top, and the GEM Featherweight. They are (or were) quite inexpensive.

The absolute mildest SE razor I ever used was a a GEM Jr Bar lather catcher. I had one and gave it away, that's how mild it was. I thought I got a bad first one so I did it again. Same thing; far too mild for me.

That sound as the SE mes down whiskers... some of us live for that buttering toast sound. :-)

Oh yeah!

Thanks guys for taking the time to share your experience. I will definitely try and pick up a 1912 or one of the others mentioned as mild. Any pitfalls to keep an eye for (things that might hinder blade position/clamping)? I don't imply that a member would knowingly sell a defective razor (If there's such a thing), just that I have literally no experience with vintage SEs, so I'm trying to minimize possible parameters for my SE first steps. Is there any choice in blades at all on the GEM front? For the injector types I know it's either Ted Pella or the chinese one. I see a great deal of difference in performance for me between DE brands.

Are you CONUS? If so, shoot me a PM with your address, and don't go running out to by an SE just yet. I've got a GEM G bar that was given to me, and I would be happy to send it off to you. I don't even look at it since I started using straights. It's a great razor, I just enjoy using a straight or a DE more than the SE, so there is no point in hanging onto it if someone else can enjoy it.

I have about 25 or so PTFE coated stainless blades Id be happy to throw in, as well.

If you are not CONUS, unfortunately, I cannot cover the shipping. I would be happy to send it if you pay the shipping, but I can't cover shipping outside of CONUS on my own...

Thanks! I'd be happy to cover shipping.

Thanks guys for taking the time to share your experience. I will definitely try and pick up a 1912 or one of the others mentioned as mild. Any pitfalls to keep an eye for (things that might hinder blade position/clamping)? I don't imply that a member would knowingly sell a defective razor (If there's such a thing), just that I have literally no experience with vintage SEs, so I'm trying to minimize possible parameters for my SE first steps. Is there any choice in blades at all on the GEM front? For the injector types I know it's either Ted Pella or the chinese one. I see a great deal of difference in performance for me between DE brands.

Are you CONUS?  If so, shoot me a PM with your address, and don't go running out to by an SE just yet. I've got a GEM G bar that was given to me, and I would be happy to send it off to you. I don't even look at it since I started using straights. It's a great razor, I just enjoy using a straight or a DE more than the SE, so there is no point in hanging onto it if someone else can enjoy it.

I have about 25 or so PTFE coated stainless blades Id be happy to throw in, as well.

If you are not CONUS, unfortunately, I cannot cover the shipping. I would be happy to send it if you pay the shipping, but I can't cover shipping outside of CONUS on my own...

Thanks! I'd be happy to cover shipping.

I sent you a PM. Let me know if that works for you!

Since this thread has almost run its course yet others find it informational, I thought I'd post a few pics for informational purposes only.

The rarely seen yet exceptional P74 Injector blades



This is an example of an antique seller that thinks old=$$$$  In other words, and example of how much NOT to pay!



Here is a brass 1912 Gem with shipper


Here you can see the "ears" or tabs on either side of the open comb I mentioned earlier to pay attention to.


Here is a picture of a PAL injector. You wont see too many of these.




Here is a shot of the Schick Adjustable I always keep cued up for dud blades and lazy days.


Here is a shot of a (correct me if I'm wrong) a "Click Type" or "Click Back" Gem. These are very mild. Still a fun razor though.

The Gem in that last pic is very nice, it looks brand new! It is a Featherweight, however I thought it was called a "Push-button". I don't remember where I heard that. I could be wrong too! Anyway, I have one just like that, but its gold and black. That silver one looks way better, IMO.

I think you are right. I think push button is the correct name for it. When I found it in the wild, it still had the cardboard blade in it. But since the big blade razors get very limited use in my house, I gave myself an ultimatum and settled on the 1912 to keep, and sold the one pictured. It lost only due to attrition, not performance.