I enjoy my Micromatic open comb but it has a bit of bite so I don't use it often. Purchased a GEM 1912 and wow it's perfectly balanced in efficiency and mild. Bought a 100 GEM blade pack from Bull Goose Shaving
Agree I avoided Gem razors for almost a decade that I started my wet shaving journey as it is a razor with most polarising reviews. Some say they don't want to put paint scrapper blades to their face and other reviews rave about the PTFE triple coated Gem blade from Personna. My first shave - wow ! I just wasted 10 years ignoring these razors. It gives a wonderful soft skin feel zero irritation and such a close shave. And the vintage range has it all from the mild to the aggressive MMOC ! I've bought a few hundred blades in bulk and reach out for my Gem, Star, Ever Ready razors quite frequently. And the bonus - each blade lasts forever. I think I get tired and throw them out finally after 20 odd shaves and the last shave is as good as the first !! Fantastic razors ! Excellent review - subscribed !👍🏼
Manish, thanks very much for the kind words and glad to hear that the Gem razors work for you.:) Great to hear!:) But, I admit, it's a razor that may not be in everyone's wheelhouse. Still, every wet shaver should at least give it a try considering the minimal cost involved. A good used MMOC razor, if you do a little digging, can be had for as little as 5 to 10 bucks.:)
So, here we are four years later. I can't remember you talking about GEMs outside of this video. Just curious, did something happen to put you off them? Thanks!
Eric, Yes, I know. I still like the Gem Micromatic. I had a shave with it here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-4RLKH-iX428.html Perhaps you missed it. I just got done polishing a couple of the brass Micromatics I have and hope ot have a few shaves with them. I plan to show them in the next MMMB.:)
I've got the exact same razor with the case....love it! Incidentally, I'll bet if someone were to fabricate their own version of these razors, they'd want an arm & a leg for them.
Phoenix Artisan Accoutrements makes a Gem Style razor.:) phoenixartisanaccoutrements.com/products/the-phoenix-starling-v2-single-edge-safety-razor-anodized-7075-aluminum?_pos=1&_sid=0abc2f43a&_ss=r
Derek, thank you for this info!:) Coincidentally, I just made my first purchase from Connaught a week or so ago.:) So, I have an account all set up.:) They are a terrific online store for wet shaving gear!:) connaughtshaving.com/ BTW, I believe I found the blade you mentioned. For those interested: connaughtshaving.com/gemss.html
Mark Szorady btw, I picked up 200 of the Gem PTFE blades, they're coated and I prefer them over all SE blades, from Connaught Shaving in the UK. Check out their website, very good deal on bulk SE blades, even considering the international shipping.
Mark thnx for the review and purchased a vintage one with blades last week and should have it to try soon!!Also have you tried the new Gem razors as well as the new metal singled edged Twig razor yet?
b g, I haven't tried ether. And, it's been a while since I pulled out my Gem razors. If you follow the channel, I've had a lot of DE razors arrive for review plus a couple of Schick razors. With Gem razors, just make sure to really lighten up on the touch. They'll give you a wonderful shave. However, it might to a bit of an adjustment coming from a DE razor.
Hello Mark. I came across with this "old" video and I was wondering if you would consider using the GEM Micromatic in a future shave. You made such compliments to this type of SE razor that I believe it will not disappoint the viewers ;)
Hi, João Carlos dos Santos.:) Yes, I did a video review and shave with a Gem Micromatic: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-4RLKH-iX428.html This video is from 2018. So, I think it's time to do another.:)
@@MarkSzorady Thank you for the feedback and for the heads-up :) Great instructional video to those who are starting to use SE razors. Across and against the grain can be challenging with these types of razors IMO but once you master the technique you get a nice smooth irritation-free shave. You post great content!
@@joaonevessantos My pleasure.:) And I agree, it takes a bit of practice and a few shaves to understand how the razor works. But once mastered, great shaves follow.:) Thanks for the kind words.:)
gangstalishis, glad to help.:) One caveat, these are an acquired taste. the shaving angle is quite different (more shallow) than a traditional DE razor. Use a LIGHT touch and adjust to the shallow angel. Some guys LOVE these razors and others aren't impressed. I like them a lot. I used the Micromatic Open Comb last night to shave my head and it was VERY close. No nicks or cuts.:) My only advice is to purchase one, in good condition, at the five or ten dollar mark. If you try it and find that it's not for you, you're not out of a lot of money. If you love it, then you have extra $$ to buy another.:)
Thank you for this kind review. I personally never heard of the Gem trademark, but I will try to find and buy it. This proofs that still today in 21. century with all the technology and computers the best things are made a long long time ago ;)
My pleasure! I hadn't heard of these razors, either. I never knew they existed! I was recently introduced to them. :) I will say this, they are an acquired taste. Some wet shavers LOVE them. Other wet shavers dislike them due to not getting the desired result or because they don't really like the different shave angle. My advice is, try to purchase one costing between five and ten dollars, just in case you find it's not to your liking. There are many, many, Gem razors in this price range that are in very good condition and will give years and years of great shaves.:)
Two wonderful looking razors, indeed! I love solid brass more than anything else. I think these gems musst be rather aggressive razors I would not feel comfortable with.
Thank you, Patrick .:) Surprisingly, the Micromatic Clog Pruf is not overly aggressive at all. It's no more agressive than a vintage Gillette Super Speed or a Vikings Blade Chieftain. The big difference is the shaving angle. The angle is different than a DE razor and a bit more narrow in it's focus. But, when shaving, you get plenty of audio feedback telling you you're on the dime. Even I'm off the angle, I've had no irritation. This razor gives a VERY smooth shave. Gem Micromatic ads claimed that using the razor would allow you to "avoid five o'clock shadow." I've found this be true.:) My morning shaves lasts much longer than some DE razors. The Micromatic Open Comb is a different story. I have yet to use it, but I'm told that it is much more aggressive than the Clog Pruf. I hope to use it this week. After a few uses or so, I'll be doing a review.:) Again, the MMCP has been smooth. No nicks, no cuts, no irritation.:)
I am quite surprised that the Clog Pruf provides you such smooth shaves, as it looks rather aggressive with this huge blade exposure. As you say, Mark, one has to try it. I am looking forward to watching your video on your conclusions about the Micromatic Open Comb. And thanks for sharing your razor collection with us, its always an interesting piece of history going along with it.
I just bought the 100 year old solid brass art deco GEM 1912 which I'll use with patina:-) awhile ago. It's a work of art. I like the look and I think it'll shave better than a DE (and faster too, not a fan of the angle and the bulky heads of DEs- it's just gathering dust coz cartridge is faster but now switching to SE after trying electric razors as well). God bless, Proverbs 31
My GEM 1912 just shipped:-) So did the GEM blades. After 100 years, is the spring in your GEM rusted (worried a bit on the spring's condition) or the spring is stainless steel (not sure they had that alloy in 1912). Thank you.
I have one of these GEM micromatic clog pruf shavers and I put a blade in it that I bought from Home Depot. The razor wouldn't cut the hair on my face. I might have been holding it at the wrong angle. Is there a difference between single edge shaving razors and the razors meant go into a utility scraper?
Yes! Get these instead: Personna Gem Stainless Steel Single Edge Razor Blades 10 Ea (Pack Of 2): amzn.to/2oCQdTT One reviewer on Amazon stated: "I like old razors and these fit nicely into the single edge "lather catchers" made by Gem and Ever Ready. The blades are sharp and consistent offering a good shave. The Gems may look the same but are a vastly different quality to ones sold at the hardware store." These wil also work: Treet Blades: amzn.to/2GUxh9S Amazon reviewer wrote of these: "I use them in a Gem Micromatic. Great blades. They stay sharp for a long time. I can usually get a full week or more on a single blade. Make sure you dry them well after you use them and they should last a while." HTH.:)
Thanks, Mark. This is important info that is hard to find on the net. HARDWARE STORE RAZORS ARE NOT MEANT FOR SHAVING. They do NOT cut facial hair very easily and it HURTS pretty bad when you try to drag one across your face.
Additionally, the blades offered by Personna Gem come in two different materials, carbon steel and stainless steel. Some prefer the carbon steel, but they have to be maintained a bit more after each shave, otherwise they'll rust. This means dipping them in alcohol or coating them with a bit of oil. Stainless doesn't need this kind of attention. I think the Treet blades are carbon steel. From Amazon: "I find the Treet to be the sharpest SE blades in production. They're a bit sharper than the GEM Stainless blades but not as smooth if you don't strop them. They're blued carbon steel which corrodes very quickly so they don't last very long unless you dip them in alcohol or oil them after every shave."
I bought two at a flea market for $3.00 each. I must admit it was a little scary. I only did one pass. I bought it more for collecting than actual use. Great history.
How can you tell how old they are? One is solid with a twist to open, the other has the opening at the top of the head and has a plastic handle, and I have the case with that one.
Excellent razors! If I ever miss a days shave then my MMOC is my go to razor, mows down a couple of days growth like it's not there and without irritation.
