your thoughts on the 1912 gem and gem junior

my friend lent these razors to me to try a while ago and I've finally got around to pulling them out to clean them up before shaving.

what do you guys think of them? do they offer good shaves? what's the cutting angle like with them? I think I'll load them up with the GEM PTFE coated blades that Dave sent me a little while ago.

The short story is that the Jr (2 versions that I know of- beware) and the '12/'24 are the best of the bunch for me. They are Goldilocks razors. But they offer something for everyone IMO. While I like the 1912, they may not be for everyone. There are many versions of the 1912 patent.

A review of them are here: The 1912s

I need to update that to include the '12/'24 and variations as I experienced them.

In short I really like the 1912 Jr and '12/'24. But they are aggressive razors, think 5+ on the Slim/Fatboy scale. SE aggressive, not Muhle '11 R41 aggressive- nowhere near that aggressive.

Another place to find info: TOST- 1912 review and discussion

It's late the sack monster is grabbin' me. 'later.

(06-11-2012, 11:02 PM)ShadowsDad Wrote: The short story is that the Jr (2 versions that I know of- beware) and the '12/'24 are the best of the bunch for me. They are Goldilocks razors. But they offer something for everyone IMO. While I like the 1912, they may not be for everyone. There are many versions of the 1912 patent.

A review of them are here: The 1912s

I need to update that to include the '12/'24 and variations as I experienced them.

In short I really like the 1912 Jr and '12/'24. But they are aggressive razors, think 5+ on the Slim/Fatboy scale. SE aggressive, not Muhle '11 R41 aggressive- nowhere near that aggressive.

Another place to find info: TOST- 1912 review and discussion

It's late the sack monster is grabbin' me. 'later.

after looking at your post you linked to, the two razors lent to me is the one in the middle of your photo and the junior with the black handle.

These are good shavers, as a rule. I've used all those models, and I've never had a bad shave from them.

My personal preference is for the Damaskeene style GEM's - with the rounded head-cap, but the ones with the flat cap will also work well.

Start with the head flat against your face and then tilt it until it starts to cut. It's not too aggressive.

I have the Damaskene model, Andrew, and really like it. You should get very decent shaves from them.

Although I prefer the Damaskeene, I also like the 1912 very much. The Junior I don't like quite as much, simply because of the feel of the handle in my hand. In my limited experience, these are not extremely aggressive. I have pretty sensitive skin, and while I don't like the Micromatics as well, I do just fine with the 1912 razors. It took me a half dozen shaves to figure out the sweet spot angle, but after that it's been a walk in the park so long as I don't use DE razors for too long in between SE uses.

The Junior shaves great, but I wasn't a fan of the handle or all the noise it made. I hate loud razors, kinda like nails on a chalk board to me. The 1912 was a similar experience.

thanks for the comments, guys. I'm going to clean them up tonight and use probably the 1912 for my next shave as the handle on the junior is, well, odd..

Yeah, it's definitely odd, but try it. It works nicely.

I wasn't a fan of it when I looked at it either. I keep one of those handles in my cabinet when I want a different feel.

All good info in the previous responses. I have a 1912, but prefer the Damaskeene and the E-R 1914 (Lift to Open). I for one do like the fat bakelite handles of the later Junior. The Junior with the fat handle can be found with the GEM, ER, and Star name, too. Treet had a version with more of a safety bar design.

I am in the minority but I think the 1912 is the best SE razor ever made! I enjoy the Damaskeene, OCMM and Clog-pruf but they don't shave me as well as the 1912. As always, YMMV

(06-13-2012, 11:19 AM)cryhavoc Wrote: I am in the minority but I think the 1912 is the best SE razor ever made! I enjoy the Damaskeene, OCMM and Clog-pruf but they don't shave me as well as the 1912. As always, YMMV

Your not in a minority, the 1912 is a great razor and would probably be my #1 SE if it wasn't for the God awful noise it makes. LOL
I've never had a bad shaving experience with any SE--not something I can't say about DE's.

You guys are tempting me to try the SEs for a third time, but with carbon steel blades this time.

The 1912 (it's a patent date, nothing more) can be a great shaver! No minority at all. Don't forget, it's a patent date for the thumb flip top, not one model, even though we tend to think of it as such.

I find the closed comb Damaskeene to be too mild for me, but the Jr., '24, and straight 1912 to be great. I'm splitting hairs here. If all that existed was the CC Damaskeene on the 1912 patent I'd be good. But since they changed the geometry for subsequent razors, that opened it up. BTW, there is also an open comb Damaskeene. I have yet to experience one.

Probably more variations than I know of too, (I'm far from an expert) the point is that there are LOTS of 1912s. It's a patent and not a specific model. If you doubt that get a copy of Waits Safety Razor Compendium (online download- $15? at one time, maybe now?). It shows models and years, but no detailed comparisons. For that comparison you need RAD and an eye for comparison. It's easy when you have them "side by each" and in hand.

Other than cosmetic changes, the Jr and '24 are geometrically similar and in shave characteristics similar also. The others have their own shave characteristics. Yup, all IMO.

(06-13-2012, 01:24 PM)ShadowsDad Wrote: The 1912 (it's a patent date, nothing more) can be a great shaver! No minority at all. Don't forget, it's a patent date for the thumb flip top, not one model, even though we tend to think of it as such.

I find the closed comb Damaskeene to be too mild for me, but the Jr., '24, and straight 1912 to be great. I'm splitting hairs here. If all that existed was the CC Damaskeene on the 1912 patent I'd be good. But since they changed the geometry for subsequent razors, that opened it up. BTW, there is also an open comb Damaskeene. I have yet to experience one.

Probably more variations than I know of too, (I'm far from an expert) the point is that there are LOTS of 1912s. It's a patent and not a specific model. If you doubt that get a copy of Waits Safety Razor Compendium (online download- $15? at one time, maybe now?). It shows models and years, but no detailed comparisons. For that comparison you need RAD and an eye for comparison. It's easy when you have them "side by each" and in hand.

Other than cosmetic changes, the Jr and '24 are geometrically similar and in shave characteristics similar also. The others have their own shave characteristics. Yup, all IMO.

I'll have to take a few photos of the two GEMs I have and add them to this thread tonight.

Where's the photos?

The 1912 and the '40's junior are the same head, except for the plain tab on the back end of the cap. They are fantastic shavers! I have a 1924 type handle on my Junior, didn't come with a plastic handle.