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Post by prometeo on Oct 6, 2015 9:50:22 GMT -6
I would like to know your opinion on this razor. Thank you.
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Post by fram773 on Oct 6, 2015 11:15:52 GMT -6
There's nothing special about it. Some people swear by it but it is just like any other razor--ymmv. I didn't care for it and found the shave to be rough and tuggy no matter what blade I used.
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RobinK
Lather Catcher
Posts: 505
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Post by RobinK on Oct 6, 2015 11:30:08 GMT -6
My feelings exactly. I tried three different blades in it, but they all pulled, making the shave uncomfortable and borderline dangerous. I have no idea why some people love this razor so much. It is probably the worst single edge razor I have ever tried. That said, my daily shaver is a GEM OCMM, and I know that a lot of people hate that one with the heat of a nova
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Post by Petrvs on Oct 6, 2015 11:40:05 GMT -6
I never tried a Damaskeene, so my question is: is it so different from the other 1912s?
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Post by fram773 on Oct 6, 2015 11:52:37 GMT -6
I never tried a Damaskeene, so my question is: is it so different from the other 1912s? You will find large differences in cap geometry and blade exposure even among razors called "GEM 1912." Take a look at threads I have started. My favorite is a certain kind of "squat head" GEM 1912 with a flat cap that rounds off where there is a bevel on other 1912s. That one is excellent, and the Junior is just ok, the rest of the variants I don't like at all. My least favorite is a GEM 1912 1914 "hybrid" which looks like a 1912 but has the blade exposure and an extremely rounded head of the 1914
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Post by prometeo on Oct 6, 2015 12:07:45 GMT -6
I find a great hurry and very gently. And with carbon steel blades do very well. Many people find things...
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Post by PJGH on Oct 6, 2015 12:15:02 GMT -6
It's an old, curved cap 1912 ... that's all. There are other curved caps from the era. Personally, I think they got it dead right with the post-1919 version of the 1912.
I don't think I've ever quoted myself, but I think it's worth doing: "Well, the razor gives the instruction: USE ONLY WITH GEM DAMASKEENE BLADES" ... me, quoting advice from GEM. You know what? They were right - a few of us had the pleasure of trying a NOS Damaskeene blade (thanks, Marcus) and my choices of razor were the earlier ones, just to see how the older, thicker spined and thicker blade worked. It worked a treat, both in the regular Damaskeene and the open comb model, quite transforming the latter.
Yeah, it's an old version of what we call the 1912 ... which is where they perfected it.
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Post by wchnu on Oct 6, 2015 12:57:58 GMT -6
I love the open comb Damaskeene . The curved head is a plus to me. In my opinion that is one of the best. That being said a closed comb is just another 1912 to me. My every day shaver is a Jr. From a G3 set.
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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 Oct 6, 2015 14:39:35 GMT -6
It's not my daily razor and never will be but only because it's too mild for me. I do use it now and then to put the first few shaves on a GEM SS ptfe blade.
At one time I loved the Damaskeene.
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spidey9
Lather Catcher
All SE all the time!
Posts: 641
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Post by spidey9 on Oct 6, 2015 16:55:45 GMT -6
Well, they're fun to collect. The Damaskeenes are simply the first Gem 1912's to become popular. There are numerous variations - the ones made from 1916-1919 were made before Gem was acquired by ASR, some have a curved top cap, others have the flat cap with a bevel found on later 1912's. The very earliest ones are open comb, and are somewhat rare and highly sought after. There have been lengthy threads discussing how they shave, many feel that they are the finest of the 1912's. I'm going to go out on a limb here and admit that, to me, all 1912's shave pretty much the same. Yes, the curved cap feels a little different, but not night and day. My favorite of the 1012's is actually the Improved Ever-Ready from the 1930's. As always, YMMV. The only way to really find out is to get one for yourself. Or several. --Bob
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Post by mpf9ret on Oct 14, 2015 0:53:40 GMT -6
Today I had a shave with a Gem Damaskeene with a modern Gem S/S [ 2 ], to simulate the thickness of the spine on the original blade , I used a full spine shim [ shown on top of blade in photo ]. Must have hit a sweet spot , the razor seemed so mild, that it glided over the face , and I ended up with one of the closest & most comfortable shaves I have ever had, even with ATG passes. Paul has had success using an original blade , in which he reckons this Razor with a proper blade is the real deal. Try it with a full spine shim, and you may well revise your opinion of this Razor.
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Post by InfernoOrangeSS on Nov 2, 2015 10:54:47 GMT -6
I've always loved my Damaskeens. Great shaves!
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Post by revavery on Nov 11, 2015 15:22:47 GMT -6
I have three. Two are a flat top; one is a curved top. For me, it is the best razor out of all my Single edge razor's.
Granted, I don't have all SEs that are available, but the Damaskeene has proven it's worth to me. And, it could be all in my head, but the curve top seems to be a little smoother especially against the grain. Being able to easily shave against the grain is what really matters to me.
I enjoy all my gem razors; but this one gives me the closest and most irritation free shave of them all. I have the gem jr; 1912; OCMM; and featherweight. Also have the ER 1912. I'm excited to be getting in the "patent pending" 1914 ER. Can't wait to try it.
Just my two cents…
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