09.23.06
The GEM G-bar
Single-edge blades—those with the thick back, beloved of model-airplane builders—are thicker than double-edged blades and, some say, give a shave much more like that obtained with a straight razor. I have tried the GEM Micromatic, which is a twist-to-open razor: turn the knob at the end of the handle and the flap at the top, which holds the blade, raises; turn the other way, it closes.
Not a terrific shave, but recently a kind reader sent me a GEM G-bar. This razor uses a spring to hold the flap down, securing the blade, and the flap is opened with the thumb. The handle is metal, with a sort of slanting knob at the end, which somehow works exactly right for the grip—I particularly noticed it in the against-the-grain pass.
Above are three views of the G-bar. Click to see enlargements. You’ll note the razor blade is still wet from the morning shave. And an exceptionally smooth shave it was: four passes (some razors give a smooth shave with three passes, some require four): down, diagonal, diagonal the other way, and up. No nicks at all. Lovely razor.
The blades I get from Ted Pella, GEM stainless PTFE-coated single-edge in bulk ($33 for 200). Razor and Brush has single-edged blades (scroll down toward the bottom of the page) that are specifically designed for shaving rather than for laboratory dissection, and these seem to work better for me.
Dean said,
5 November 2006 at 8:07 am
Wow, if you can shave with one of these you can probably shave with about anything!
I won two of these in a mixed lot of razors a couple years ago on ebay. One had a gray handle rather like the one in your picture. The other one had an ivory handle and was shorter. I bought a pack of Gem blades to go into it.
I shaved with it (the gray handle) ONE time! The darn thing cut me to pieces! I quit before I totally disfigured myself!
I’ve been a wet shaver for 30+ years mind you. (OK, I did use electrics for 2-3 years, had a beard a couple years in the ’80’s).
And you call this a “lovely” razor? Everyone has their own unique aesthetic I suppose. Even if they shaved perfect for me, they are (IMO) rather ugly.
I’m not trying to be provocative; but if these are so great, why do you never mention them in the wetshavers group?
In fact, I don’t think I’ve read over a couple of comments about GEM razors in any of the shaving forums. So, they’re not very popular amongst wetshavers and they can be purchased much cheaper than DEs on ebay.
But I suppose if it works for you, that’s what matters! Maybe I’ll get up the nerve to try it one more time.
Dean
PS: Appreciate your fine website!
LeisureGuy said,
5 November 2006 at 8:16 am
Well, the guys I talk to on the Wetshavers Group are just starting out, and the one who did mention a GEM (a 1912 model, not a G-Bar), I suggested that he get a double-edged safety razor instead. I myself didn’t have much luck with a GEM Micromatic, but the G-Bar was rather good, though it did take 4 passes.
I rather like the looks of the G-Bar, and they are good sturdy razors that clean up well. I’m fascinated by how well the little slant knob at the end of the handle works. And I did use a Ted Pella blade (stainless PTFE-coated) rather than a GEM blade.
My appreciation for the GEM line, though, is limited to the G-Bar. And I do tend to reach first for a double-edged razor.
The most important caveat in wet-shaving: YMMV.
Robert said,
16 November 2006 at 7:46 am
Hi there,
I recently found 2 Gem razors and 2 Gillette DE razors in my basement (left over from my grandfather). I got on this website one morning, and by the end of the day my bathroom looks like a research and development site for Schick! I’m trying different razors, gels, etc.
I tried the Gem, wow….horrible! Not close at all, and the redness on my neck was incredible! The DE was a little better. It seemed to clean shave my cheeks, but couldn’t take the stubble of my neck at all.
I was issued a Mach 3 in the Marines, and stuck with it for 5 years. I just recently acquired a Sensor XL (the same day I bought DE razors and everything else), and can say it is the fastest and closest. No irritation, no cuts. It takes a extra diagonal downward stroke for the neckhair, but its much smoother than the DE.
Thanks for all the info, great site!
LeisureGuy said,
16 November 2006 at 7:56 am
The double-edged razor does have a learning curve, no doubt about it. And there’s a certain amount of experimentation required to find the right blade, razor, pressure, angle, and so on. Good prep is probably more important when using a double-edged razor, though of course it helps for cartridge razors as well. Check in with ShaveMyFace.com and you can get lots of helpful advice if you want to explore further..
Dale Edge said,
23 November 2006 at 6:04 pm
Back in ‘91 I was in the Navy (US) and boy did I hate shaving……right up untill I found a Gillette double edge safety in the barber kit, ahhh love at last, ( I still have it 15 years later). Anyways, started collecting and eventually stumbled across a Gem micromatic #22-#23 and quite frankly I would rather try to shave with an electric carving knife than the Gem. Nice to look at but bad to shave with!!!!! There is a reason those type blades are used in window scrapers!
LeisureGuy said,
23 November 2006 at 6:16 pm
Like you, I did not have a good experience with the Micromatic, but the G-Bar is another story—especially, as noted, with Ted Pella blades.
Dan said,
19 April 2007 at 8:20 pm
I have been using a G-bar for a few weeks now. My first few shaves were similar to others here. Poor to average shaves and 2-3 nicks per shave. By the end of the first week things started to improve. Now I get great, fast shaves with three passes.
The key for me was getting the angle right — the head should be almost flat on your face. At least that works for me. The G-bar is becoming my go-to razor.
Dan
LeisureGuy said,
19 April 2007 at 8:22 pm
Yep, the flat part of the head is practically flat against the face. Just out of curiosity, what blades are you using in your G-Bar?
Dan said,
27 April 2007 at 7:14 am
Like you, I use Ted Pella blades. They last a week or so for me.
Dan
Rob Gulnick said,
16 May 2007 at 6:37 am
Hi LeisureGuy…..
Here’s my current kit…..Gem with gray plastic handle, $1.00 direct from
ASR (not sure if the offer still stands), Gem-Personna s/s blades, a nice
low-priced brush from Vermont Country Store, and a lovely blue-green
salt-glazed mug from the church flea market. Still looking for a good a/s
that i can go steady with; currently using store-brand witch hazel!
Loved the “gourmet” pages…lots of nice info!
Steven said,
17 May 2007 at 9:44 am
Well, all your Gem G-Bar posts finally prodded me into sniping one off eBay for $10.50…
I couldn’t wait for a “good blade” and immediately ran to the grocery store last night and bought generic ASR Gem blades. The shave was fantastic! Mind you, I’ve had nothing but problems with several types of injector razors and didn’t think I could enjoy a thick bladed shave.
I got a near BBS shave in three passes (on par with my trusty HD). Even cooler, I had about four days of beard growth and it mowed right through it. The thick edge is a truly interesting feeling and very different from a feather blade. I was enjoying it so much I ignored my HeadBlade and shaved my head with it too – the angled handle and “heel” proving perfect for headshaving. I did end up with some redness, and a very strong burn after applying the alum block, both both subsided quickly..
Question: The scientific sites selling blades extol the virtues of carbon steel blades as being able to be sharpened better than stainless. If you are buying a gross of 200 blades anyway, why not get the carbon steels, shave once and toss the blade? They go so far as saying the companies add substances (like PTFE) to the blade to help the feeling of glide on stainless blades, as true glide comes from sharpness, and the stainless can’t compete.. See this url: http://www.2spi.com/catalog/tools/smtol14.shtml
LeisureGuy said,
17 May 2007 at 9:54 am
I avoided the carbon-steel blades because of the “moist environment” restriction, my bathroom being a moist environment. But reading the post at the link, together with your observation that one can use a blade for only one shave before dropping it into the blade safe, made me think it’s worthwhile giving the carbon steel a try. The link requires a minimum $50 order, so I’ll look elsewhere, but it’s definitely worth a try.
Thanks. Good comment.
UPDATE: My 100-pack box of carbon-steel GEM single-edge blades ($16.00) is on its way from Ted Pella.
Steven said,
17 May 2007 at 5:04 pm
I’m not sure how big of a difference it is, but the ones that the 2spi website talks about (GEM, yellow case) are these on the Ted Pella website: http://www.tedpella.com/dissect_html/dissect.htm#anchor1603040
Seems to be a difference in blade thickness between them, along with price. The Pelco’s are 16.00USD for 200, the GEM (ASR?) is 18.80USD for 120.
Pelco’s are described as “Best quality industrial blade”, whereas the GEM’s are described as “Top Quality” on Ted Pella..
Rob G. said,
18 May 2007 at 10:08 am
LeisureGuy….
here’s a page from the headshaver’s log…try Headslick shaving cream
whipped up in the shaving mug for a wonderful face shave , even with a torture
device like the Gem! Just kidding; Gem is my favorite, although I’m not
sure I’d use it on my head…..
Steve said,
25 March 2009 at 4:54 pm
Found a Gem Micromatic in my dad’s basement and couldn’t wait to try it. Only blades I could find at the drugstore were Treet SE. Kinda bled a little, but really got a close shave. How does Treet compare to the other blades?
LeisureGuy said,
25 March 2009 at 5:01 pm
I haven’t tried the Treet Single-Edged blades, but perhaps someone else can answer. FWIW, I found that the G-Bar worked *much* better for me than the Micromatic. YMMV, of course.
Royce said,
2 April 2009 at 9:00 am
I’ve used the Treet SE blades in several different GEMs including a G-Bar, and they worked great in all of them. I have read that the GEM-brand stainless PTFE-coated blades are superior to the Treets, and intend to try them soon. The Treets are carbon steel, so they will rust or discolor, but I dry them immediately after use. I also live in a desert, so that helps mitigate the rusting.
Michael, thank you for the Guide to Gourmet Shaving, which I purchased recently. Great book!
LeisureGuy said,
2 April 2009 at 9:30 am
Many thanks for your kind comment about the book. You’ll read in there that, when I use carbon-steel blades, I swish them in 90% or higher rubbing alcohol after I finish. The alcohol displaces the water and then immediately evaporates, leaving the blade dry.
Max said,
2 December 2009 at 4:50 pm
I found a bundled bunch of the Gem razors with the plastic ivory handle at the bottom of an auction box lot. I can’t find out how old they are. They look to be shiny brand new never used with the little cardboard insert where the blade goes. Any info?
Thanks,
Max
LeisureGuy said,
2 December 2009 at 5:44 pm
I know little about the GEM line, but ask on the forums—ShaveMyFace.com, for example—and you’re likely to find expertise.