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Post by fram773 on Feb 9, 2015 22:15:22 GMT -6
I haven't been overly impressed with the 1912 type razors, I've always been a 1924 man. The Junior-- my favorite but not that it is saying much; It is a mild fairly comfortable razor but nothing special. The ER 1912- ok but quite harsh feeling. GEM Damaskeene (round cap)--overrated and just as harsh, somewhat tuggy. I received this squat head GEM 1912 recently. It has a much shorter neck than any other 1912 type razor but not only that-- its top cap doesn't really have a bevel like other GEM 1912s, the Junior, and the ER 1912. Instead of a well defined flat bevel, there is a small tiny rounded area where the bevel should be. The rest of the top cap is flat.
Squat-head GEM 1912 on the left. GEM Junior on the Right.
GEM 1912 in the middle. ER 1912 on the left.
Squat head.
I did read ShadowsDad's review of the 1912 family of razors theoriginalsafetytoo.proboards.com/thread/102 but I can not say I share his assessment. There is a possibility that the squat-head GEM 1912 comes with different top caps as the Damaskeene does or it can be a simple case of YMMV. Looking at the pictures it looks like his squat head 1912 does have a bevel but a more rounded head. I could be wrong but Here is his image (middle):
My razor on the left:
I will say my GEM 1912 is by far the best of the 1912 types. It feels just as mild and comfortable as the GEM Push Button but much more efficient so I can take down a few days growth with ease. There is no tuggyness and it is just as smooth as my Schick I-injector
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norfolkdick
Master Shaver
Captain of the Razor Blades
Posts: 1,601
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Post by norfolkdick on Feb 10, 2015 1:54:31 GMT -6
Greetings
I have never owned one of the squat head models and I have never shaved with one. I think I am correct in saying that none of the squat head models were ever made this side of the Atlantic and were only made under the GEM badge in the USA.
As you know 99% of British 1912's were made under the Ever ready banner, there was a time when I erroneously believed that all British 1912's were branded Ever Ready but I have since learned different.
You are absolutely correct how the different models of 1912 shave differently. I also have found that the ER's(especially the British ones) give a rougher shave than the others, for me the USA made GEM's and Treets give the best shaves, I would however disagree with you regarding the Damaskeene which gives me a super shave.
I do think we all have to remember that these razors were mass produced and can hardly be described as precision instruments, it therefore follows that some (even of the same model) will perform better than others and occasionally a real 'duffer' will turn up, all of which adds to the YMMV thing.
Regards Dick.
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Post by PJGH on Feb 10, 2015 3:20:18 GMT -6
I've read through this and ShadowsDad's piece and looked at all mine ...
Across four Damaskeenes, an early curved cap GEM, early curved car Star and early curved cap Ever Ready, I have one with this style of cap: a GEM Cutlery Co. stamped Damaskeene, which concurs with ShadowsDad - the rest of the Damaskeenes that I have (GEM Cutlery Corp, the mis-stamped 1902 and one simply with GEM on the back) have a bevel. Straight capped GEMs, likewise.
My recent GEM DeLuxe acquisition (the "open comb Damaskeene"), another with "GEM Cutlery Co" on the back also has with squat cap.
I think, give the data we have available, that only a very small sub-set of GEMs presented with this cap - yes, co-incidentally my only two and ShadowsDad's example are all the same, with "GEM Cutlery Co"on the back and "Use only with Damaskeene Blades" on the inside - yours shows us a curveball.
I think the models were looking at are after the very first slew of Damaskeenes and into the 1915, 1916 and possibly 1917 & 1918 when these became simply "GEM" on the back. Production cross-over would not rule out the squat cap going on one of the first "GEM" stamped razors.
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Post by mjclark on Feb 10, 2015 5:04:45 GMT -6
Well we're deep in YMMV territory now! I find the shaves from the 1930's British ER 1912s to be the best of all the family - the Damaskeene and Brooklyn are nice but not as good for me... ...and as we've discussed before, the non-existent QC can actually mean that individual examples of the same model 1912 shave differently to each other. There are just so many small but significant variations in the caps and frames showing up and it's a subject of endless fascination
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Post by drumzalot on Feb 10, 2015 12:11:06 GMT -6
Interesting post. In my experience British made ER 1912's are aggressive/rough shavers. As for the flat (squat head) versus the round top plate, I find the slightly round top plate design to yield a milder shave. The mildest 1912's that I own are my standard Damaskeene and OC Damaskeene. Interesting how everyone has a different experience with each subtle difference amongst the 1912 models.
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Post by PJGH on Feb 10, 2015 16:32:53 GMT -6
I don't get any difference between any of them From the earliest Damaskeene to the latest British Ever Ready ... all the same. Pressed, I would say I prefer the shaves from the '30s British Ever Ready models with the heavy chain link handles, which would make sense with what you're saying Joe, since I prefer a more aggressive shave. If pressed. Otherwise, I'd just say "1912" and any would do ...
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Post by wchnu on Feb 19, 2015 15:37:04 GMT -6
Are those short neck models for the travel sets? I think I remember seeing a few in my sets. I will have to dig one out and try the shave. All my 1912's shave a little different. All are good solid razors.
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Post by augustwest on Jun 7, 2017 9:12:32 GMT -6
I find myself in this camp: "I don't get any difference between any of them From the earliest Damaskeene to the latest British Ever Ready ... all the same. Pressed, I would say I prefer the shaves from the '30s British Ever Ready models with the heavy chain link handles, which would make sense with what you're saying Joe, since I prefer a more aggressive shave. If pressed. Otherwise, I'd just say "1912" and any would do ..." I attribute any differences; perceived or otherwise, to a bunch of hobbyist with too much time on their hands.
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Post by wchnu on Jun 7, 2017 17:00:04 GMT -6
I find myself in this camp: "I don't get any difference between any of them From the earliest Damaskeene to the latest British Ever Ready ... all the same. Pressed, I would say I prefer the shaves from the '30s British Ever Ready models with the heavy chain link handles, which would make sense with what you're saying Joe, since I prefer a more aggressive shave. If pressed. Otherwise, I'd just say "1912" and any would do ..." I attribute any differences; perceived or otherwise, to a bunch of hobbyist with too much time on their hands. My current favorite is a 1912 with a bakelite handle from a WWII G3 set. Which do you use the most?
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poppi
Lather Catcher
Posts: 555
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Post by poppi on Aug 29, 2017 8:57:51 GMT -6
Ok, I can't get pictures to work or would post them.
Anyway, I recently picked up a razor that look exactly like the "squat" head except that it doesn't say Gem on the back of the razor. The back is blank. It does say GEM on the inside to the razor though.
Anybody know anything about this one?
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