- Messages
- 49
I picked up a Gem 1912 for less than £4 at the weekend. A pack of blades arrived yesterday so I thought I'd try it out for this morning's shave. A few weeks ago, my opinion would have been 'that's a museum piece' and 'no way would I shave with an instrument of torture like that'. However, reading the forums and watching a few videos inspired my confidence.
I followed the usual routine of warming and prepping everything and lathered up some TOBS coconut shave cream in my bowl as usual. Keeping a close eye on blade angle (top plate close to my skin) and keeping as light a touch as I could, my two passes were absolutely trouble free. I'm not far off BBS and the only thing I can see that wasn't as good as my Rocket Flare Tip was getting in close to the first row of whiskers below my nostrils.
I've read comments about the 1912 being 'like an old spanner' but my impression is that it's a lovely instrument to handle and use. And no doubt a pretty stern test of one's technique – it certainly focussed my attention!
I'm now basking in that lovely energised, invigorated feeling that you get after a really good shave. And it's amazing to think that my Gem was first used by a man over 100 years ago yet it's still fit for purpose and relatively easy to tame!
My interest is in trying out a variety of 'rated' DE and SE razors and blades (I have a Valet Autostrop on its way), so the 1912 isn't going to be my daily driver yet. However, I will be using it in regular rotation until I find my perfect set up. I rue all those years of missed opportunity scraping away at my face with cartridges (and the small fortune blown) on getting nothing like a decent shave!
I followed the usual routine of warming and prepping everything and lathered up some TOBS coconut shave cream in my bowl as usual. Keeping a close eye on blade angle (top plate close to my skin) and keeping as light a touch as I could, my two passes were absolutely trouble free. I'm not far off BBS and the only thing I can see that wasn't as good as my Rocket Flare Tip was getting in close to the first row of whiskers below my nostrils.
I've read comments about the 1912 being 'like an old spanner' but my impression is that it's a lovely instrument to handle and use. And no doubt a pretty stern test of one's technique – it certainly focussed my attention!
I'm now basking in that lovely energised, invigorated feeling that you get after a really good shave. And it's amazing to think that my Gem was first used by a man over 100 years ago yet it's still fit for purpose and relatively easy to tame!
My interest is in trying out a variety of 'rated' DE and SE razors and blades (I have a Valet Autostrop on its way), so the 1912 isn't going to be my daily driver yet. However, I will be using it in regular rotation until I find my perfect set up. I rue all those years of missed opportunity scraping away at my face with cartridges (and the small fortune blown) on getting nothing like a decent shave!
