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Post by PJGH on Jul 6, 2014 14:29:45 GMT -6
£12! I am so excited about this one. Circa 1904 ish, I already have a couple of blades honed up by 'The Whetter' (that's Marcus) and I am pretty certain it'll take a GEM. Rare enough for me to buy on impulse without checking a lot of detail, I can see the stropping attachment in there (whether the head is there is another matter), several blades and the razor. I hope it polishes up well. I'm sure it will - these early razors suffer tarnish and never rust. Here's hoping.
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Post by mjclark on Jul 6, 2014 15:33:11 GMT -6
Great score Paul! I saw this one on the bay- the seller also had a VB2 which I'm waiting to be relisted.
I hadn't noticed how many OEM blades there were with the razor til you mentioned it. Congratulations - this could turn out to be a superb set.
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Post by PJGH on Jul 7, 2014 2:18:47 GMT -6
I completely missed it but shortly before it finished, a pal e-mailed me ... but I didn't read the message until after it had finished. I contacted the seller and he re-listed with a 'buy it now' for me. Drop him a line over the VB2.
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Post by drumzalot on Jul 7, 2014 7:56:37 GMT -6
You are lucky here in the States a few Wilkies pop up here and there they can reach high prices. I know that you are going to work your magic on your new Wilkinson and make it shine.
I don't know if you repair your cases. I have a lather catcher coming to me with a beat up case. The top of the case has come completely off. For a long time I have been trying to find the right tape (or adhesive) to patch up black cases (Gem Ever-Ready) that needed repair.
I don't know if you use any type of tape to patch up your cases but I am only able to find "Gorilla Tough & Wide" tape. They might not sell this particular tape in the UK but it's thick and black in color. The only drawback is that it's quite shiny. These old black cases seemed to have been covered in a black dull covering and I have yet to find anything that resembles it. Good going on the Wilkinson Paul.
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Post by mjclark on Jul 7, 2014 11:48:47 GMT -6
Good call! As you suggested, I contacted the seller and I just bought the VB2 (gotta catch 'em all). That ebay seller has done well from us, and clearly we have done well from him
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Post by PJGH on Jul 7, 2014 12:25:46 GMT -6
Super! Smiles all round Joe - I've repaired a couple of GEM and Ever Ready boxes using a kind of fabric tape we use in fencing for wrapping the tips of foils. It's nothing like the original stuff, but looks okay. Any re-colouring, I've tended to do with dabs of boot polish. The Valet Model C sets come up lovely with a spot of boot polish. This razor should come up lovely. I've got every faith ...
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Post by PJGH on Jul 7, 2014 12:28:43 GMT -6
Ah, Screwfix carry the Gorilla tape ... I've seen the glue in Tesco, so they might have the tape. I'll check it out. Thanks for the tip, Joe. Tape friends
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Post by drumzalot on Jul 7, 2014 22:17:21 GMT -6
Paul, fabric tape is good too. I have never tried faux leather tape (it might be too thick) but that also looks like a good alternative. Not much is spoken about cases nor are there many posts about repairing cases. In fact I am not sure if some cases used real or faux leather. Ooooooh friend!
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Post by Ronnie H on Jul 9, 2014 9:30:01 GMT -6
Nice catch Paul, I look forward to seeing some pics when its cleaned up and your thoughts after you've shaved with it.
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Post by PJGH on Jul 9, 2014 14:00:06 GMT -6
'ey up, mate! Good to see you here!
Thank you. Yes, it arrived today, I cleaned it up and I shaved with it ...
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Post by PJGH on Jul 9, 2014 14:10:27 GMT -6
Upon arrival, I checked out what blades will work. I already have a couple of blades for a later Pall Mall, but they're a different shape and won't actually fit. What does fit by happy coincidence, and fits exactly, it a GEM ... You can see from the last three how the comb can be popped out. It is held in with a sprung clip, which after 110 years still works. Furthermore, the blade retainer still works and further still, the blade adjustment screw still turn! The rest of the kit is not so good. The blades may come back with some work, the box is kippered and the stropped is broken, end not present. It's the razor I'm interested in, though. Let's take a spin around ... ... and given a good clean-up: Not quite good as new, but pretty damn good for over 100 years old! But, how does it shave? Oh! Very nice! This is everything I thought it would be. So much more nimble than the Empire razors, less fiddly than the Pall Mall, longer, more comfortable handle and despite the last of adjustment, a very well pitched shave; nearer too aggressive nor too mild, smack bang in the middle and a perfect compromise of efficiency and comfort. The blade did not move around much at all despite not being screwed in place. I tried it angled by sitting on the base plate and pushed up against the blade stops, but in use the angle is determined by the handle. I might well fashion a little wedge to sit in behind GEM blades which, for me are just fine.
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Post by PJGH on Jul 9, 2014 17:27:45 GMT -6
... and given that the blade stop screws still turn, I've set it up for GEM blades. They screwed down just perfectly to hold that thin blade in place.
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Post by mjclark on Jul 9, 2014 23:10:44 GMT -6
Very very very nice Paul! It's surprising (and very inconvenient) that the OEM blades are different for the Empire, the Pall Mall and this. If you do want those blades sorted though, you know where to come It seems like Wilkinson has made some superb SEs and it's so good that you're building awareness about them, and getting a great collection at the same time!
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Post by PJGH on Jul 10, 2014 2:19:10 GMT -6
Thank you for the offer, Marcus - I have five blades which are going to want some substantial clean-up before honing. The edges range from raggy to tatty. I'll photograph them in due course for you to have a look at.
I bought the Pall Mall principally because I read that they take GEM blades without modification. They do, but you have to be quite specific in their placement. Since trying it with the original blades that you honed, I'm all the more determined to keep that as a period shaving experience.
This Roller Shaver takes GEMs just perfectly - they just slip in. Now I've stopped down the blade adjustment screws, it's a perfect GEM shaver. Lovely feel, weight and balance. The roller guard is much more a part of the shave on this razor. It's a shame, almost, that they moved away from the design so readily - with a longer production run, there'd be more of them kicking around for folks like us to pick up.
Across the range, I think this is my favourite - I now have this early one, the Pall Mall, an early Empire and a late Empire. They all bring something different to the table, even between the two Empires.
I've been bowled over by how well early 1912s and Damaskeenes still fair today, a hundred years on ... but these early 1900 razors are just that little bit more special given how safety razors were still really in their infancy; this particular razor absolutely astounds me how it still works today, even down to the little screws which by rights should be rusted in solid by now.
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ShadowsDad
Gem Star
None boring shaver!!
"It's not the bow, it's the Indian"
Posts: 4,534
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Post by ShadowsDad on Jul 10, 2014 11:51:44 GMT -6
Very interesting razor!
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