norfolkdick
Master Shaver
Captain of the Razor Blades
Posts: 1,601
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Post by norfolkdick on Sept 29, 2012 12:11:52 GMT -6
Greetings
Can somebody please help me and explain to me what it is about GEM Damskeene Razors that causes this huge amount of love.
Let me say from the start that I do not own a Damaskeene, and I have never shaved with one or even held one in my hand.
I have never read an article where any body states they are anything other than just superb shavers, yet to me and my untrained eye photos of them appear to be just a 1912 with a slightly different handle and Damaskeen stamped on them.
I own several 1912's and they are excellent shavers, but what is it that is different about the Damaskeen; to shave differently I assume the geometry/design of the head must be a little different but they certainly appear to be a 1912 in every way other than cosmetic, I accept the open comb model must shave differently but most discussions centre around the standard model.
I have read many articles about these razors but I have never read quite what the difference is between them and any other 1912 ER or GEM.
I quite fancy adding a Damskeene to my arsenal but not if it is no or little different from the several 1912's I already own, and especially as I can buy ER 1912's here in the UK off E-bay at a fraction of the cost that Damaskeens sell for.
Regards Dick.
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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 Sept 29, 2012 12:59:23 GMT -6
To me they're quite mild, at least compared to the razors I prefer to use. They do give a good shave though. Other than that, I don't know. Good question.
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Post by HoosierTrooper on Sept 29, 2012 15:10:59 GMT -6
The cover plate on most of the Damaskeene models is slightly round, convexly concave is the term used in the patent description, whereas the "standard" 1912 is flat. I also prefer round handles over any other shape.
It's a special razor to me because it was the very first model of the 1912, and was actually given a model name by GEM.
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Post by wchnu on Sept 29, 2012 17:22:55 GMT -6
They are great shavers. I don't know exactly why but they are. The D's have a different feel from the reg 1912.. The different shape of the lid is nice. All together a great shave. Every SE guy needs one.
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Post by razorx on Sept 29, 2012 18:27:31 GMT -6
Tough question Dick but I'll take a shot at it.The 1912's in general get a lot of (perhaps the most) respect and the Damaskeen's the flagship model of the 1912 fleet.Combined with that is the fact that it feels as if it behaves mildly yet is extremely efficient at whisker obliteration.
I don't think the Damaskeene will end up being my favorite SE,but then again hell I'm not sure that it's possible to even have a "favorite" SE,there are at least 3 SE's (or more) I'd be happy to have as my go to razor till the day I die.
If you see a Damaskeene being ignored in some dark forgotten corner IRL or cyberspace (It Happens),wouldn't hurt to grab one and see how it shaves.You can always sell it and break even or better.
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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 Sept 29, 2012 22:09:16 GMT -6
Dick if you like a aggressive feeling razor, the Jr (1912) is that razor, OK now why do I mention that? The GEM '24 is the dressy version of the Jr as far as the shave goes (I'm not saying it's a JR, only as far as the shave goes), and just as classy looking as the Damaskeene. Think of it as a more aggressive Damaskeene, but it's NOT a Damaskeene.
Does that make sense? Or did I screw it up?
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Post by willyb on Sept 29, 2012 23:33:30 GMT -6
There is no other se that compares to the D, simply and completely. The curved head IS the the reason. Keep your kampfe, worship your 24', adorn your 14 with precious stones. I have sung the praises of the damaskeene, I've gone as far as to make.it known when a nice one is up for sale at the rediculous price of 15 shipped. I'm not sure what else I can do. Hoosiertrooper made mention of it being the finest SE ever created. Sceptics I say to you, enjoy you shave which I likened to that of a DE.....
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Post by sleddog on Oct 7, 2012 17:01:23 GMT -6
I know some of you have seen this razor on B&B but thought I would share it with you here also. Picked up this Damackeene last week at the same antique store that I bought the OC at...this one also cost $12 Bought this one because it had an odd short handle...thought it might be a travel razor. The handle is hollow and has a threaded hole I didnt notice until I had it at home that the handle came apart And screws into the outer casing of the handle to make a stropper Pretty sure the handle is off of a lather catcher. I believe Tom said he had the same handle on an ER 1914 A unique Frankenskeene
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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 7, 2012 17:55:33 GMT -6
Pretty neat handle anyway! Yeah, it's a stropping handle for a wedge blade.
Willyb, the '24 has a curved head. Not as curved as the Damaskeene though.
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Post by razorx on Oct 7, 2012 22:41:01 GMT -6
If you look at the pictures above it can be seen that although this Damaskeene has the characteristic rounded head,there's a very obvious bevel near the blade cover's edge.It seems that some Damaskeene's have the bevel,some don't.Anyone know what's the story behind that ?
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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 8, 2012 0:31:05 GMT -6
Good catch!
I suspect it's the lighting reflected on the surface. Neither of mine display that.
When I look at the side of the razor in question I just see a continuous curve. But Sledog has the final word on it.
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Post by HoosierTrooper on Oct 8, 2012 3:34:31 GMT -6
The bevel started showing up after the 1919 merger when they became the Gem Safety Razor Corporation, the early Gem Cutlery models don't have it.
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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 8, 2012 15:53:26 GMT -6
Need to get my eyes examined!
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Post by sleddog on Oct 8, 2012 17:51:04 GMT -6
The bevel started showing up after the 1919 merger when they became the Gem Safety Razor Corporation, the early Gem Cutlery models don't have it. That seems to be the case with mine..the 2 Gem Safety Razor Corps have the bevel and the 1 Gem Cutlery (OC) does not
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Post by razorx on Oct 8, 2012 20:46:49 GMT -6
I don't know what to think...
What I've got:
* I've got a Gem Safety Razor Corp Damaskeene,it has the bevel and the slightly different round knurled handle they were known to have.
* A GEM Cutlery Damaskeene no bevel
* Three GEM Cutlery Damaskeenes with definite bevels and original style handles-I can get some pics up of 'em if y'all want....
A guess ? Parts is parts..... if they had more base plates (is that term correct?) laying around the factory near the time of transition than blade covers,then maybe they threw the new style beveled blade covers on the remaining GEM Cutlery parts....
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