norfolkdick
Master Shaver
Captain of the Razor Blades
Posts: 1,601
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Post by norfolkdick on Mar 14, 2013 7:04:02 GMT -6
Greetings This razor turned up in the post for me yesterday, it is a late model GEM Damskeene, I say late because it was made after the end of GEM Cutlery co. This model has a brass fluted handle and not the knurled steel as in the earlier models and inside the wording 'use only with GEM damaskeene blades' has been replaced with simply; 'GEM Damskeene Blades' The new company's title appears on the back. I have read that the wording was changed inside the razor on these later models as damskeene blades had either been discontinued or the company were about to do so. This I suppose makes good sense not to state use a blade that is no longer made, why all reference to damaskeene was not done away with I would assume was because the company wished to still trade on the reputation of the word 'Damaskeene' Anyway it is a well used fairly brassy old specimen but perfectly functioning, it is my first 'dammy' as they are very difficult to get here and every bid I had made prior to this one on US e-bay I had been outbid (by a handsome margin in many cases) I have only just finished cleaning the razor up, it was matte grey when I got it so I yet to shave with it. Does anybody here own one like it or have shaved with this model and how does it compare to the earlier models in terms of shave, are there any differences? This model has the curved top cover like the Streamline not the beveled style. Regards Dick.
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Post by wchnu on Mar 14, 2013 13:59:49 GMT -6
Enjoy the shaves. Good looking razor.
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Post by celar36 on Mar 14, 2013 14:45:00 GMT -6
You are lucky:) Congratulations!
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Post by razorx on Mar 14, 2013 20:39:11 GMT -6
Dick maybe you already do this but if not (and if you're looking for any others).....don't search for them under "Damaskeene" and you'll find some that all the crazies aren't bidding to death on.
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RocketMan
Gem Star
RazorAddict
Welcome To The Sharp Side!
Posts: 4,167
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Post by RocketMan on Mar 15, 2013 18:36:01 GMT -6
Nice GEM razor. I have shaved with a couple of these - and they seem pretty comparable to the earlier ones.
I'd suggest this razor dates from 1922/23 to 1925 or so (when a handle design change began to see a ring cut around the handle about a 1/2 an inch up from the bottom).
GEM began selling their marbelite cases around 1922/23 along with a whole schwack of other manufacturers that began using the new plastics. There was a 'modernization' of thinking going on around retail products in general. This also occurred right in time for the start of the early art deco period. Shortly into this ASR switched their GEM razors from the traditional handle style they'd been selling since the early 1910's (like the iconic chain link 1912 style handle, and the machined tubular handles such as in the early open comb damaskeenes and 14s) to a new modern design. They were in early with this wonderful art deco style razor.
I find the frame cuts pretty much the same as the look alikes, but the handle is a solid, rather pleasant to hold razor.
Have fun!!!
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