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Post by drumzalot on Jun 1, 2013 16:58:13 GMT -6
Here is my small collection of Gem razors. I know this is tiny compared to what most of you all have. Hopefully, my single edge collection will keep growing. I have a Gem 1912 (ornate handle), a Gem Junior, a Gem Minuteman (travel razor), and two Gem Heavy Flat Top razors. At the moment I am trying to decide on taking a jump up on the aggressive scale. I don't know if my next SE should be a 1924 or a Micromatic.
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papabear
Blade King
Looking for one that is just right
Posts: 465
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Post by papabear on Jun 1, 2013 17:33:10 GMT -6
A very nice start, Drumz. I just added a Valet model C on Friday. I should have some pictures sometime next week. The nice thing is that most SE razors are relatively inexpensive, plus the seem to be in very good shape to unused.
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Post by InfernoOrangeSS on Jun 1, 2013 17:50:21 GMT -6
Try to get a Damaskeene either OC or not. You'll love that shave. OCMM is a bit on the aggressive, but a very smooth shaver as well.
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papabear
Blade King
Looking for one that is just right
Posts: 465
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Post by papabear on Jun 1, 2013 18:53:55 GMT -6
Try to get a Damaskeene either OC or not. You'll love that shave. OCMM is a bit on the aggressive, but a very smooth shaver as well. I agree with IOSS. My shaves with the Damaskeene opened my eyes to the best shaves ever.
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Post by InfernoOrangeSS on Jun 1, 2013 18:58:33 GMT -6
Try to get a Damaskeene either OC or not. You'll love that shave. OCMM is a bit on the aggressive, but a very smooth shaver as well. I agree with IOSS. My shaves with the Damaskeene opened my eyes to the best shaves ever. The Damaskeene is second only to my Ever-Ready Streamline in amazing shaves. Both the closed comb and OC are great razors.
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Post by drumzalot on Jun 1, 2013 20:55:38 GMT -6
A very nice start, Drumz. I just added a Valet model C on Friday. I should have some pictures sometime next week. The nice thing is that most SE razors are relatively inexpensive, plus the seem to be in very good shape to unused. For sure the SE world is far less expensive then vintage DE razors. I don't even bother hunting down vintage DE's. Aren't the blade selection for Valet's limited?
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Post by drumzalot on Jun 1, 2013 21:00:52 GMT -6
Try to get a Damaskeene either OC or not. You'll love that shave. OCMM is a bit on the aggressive, but a very smooth shaver as well. I've been searching for a Damaskeene but they are far few in between plus the asking price (or bidding wars) are out of control. I don't have a Damaskeene (as of yet) though it looks very similar in design (the top plate) to the Gem Minuteman. The Streamline is also hard to get and the few I have seen are going for crazy prices. There are a lot of Micromatic razors out there maybe a closed comb version for someone who is relatively new to SE razors. The lather catchers look quite elegant very nostalgic though from what I read they are very aggressive.
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Post by InfernoOrangeSS on Jun 1, 2013 21:21:47 GMT -6
I just had a Damaskeene I won for about $15 on EBay. They're out there, and not too expensive. Just keep looking. Don't just search for Damaskeene. Look for GEMs. (The OC version is a little harder to find.) I agree the Streamlines are way up there. I think my Ambassador set that's on it's way from the UK was $90. (Please don't ask about how much the GEM Jewel set on its way from NZ cost me. I'm still a bit shocked at myself on that one.) I have a few Lather Catchers and they are not any more aggressive than a Damaskeene or OCMM. They just look intimidating. Good luck on your SE journey. There are so many different and good razors out there. When you find that one or two or three that gives you an amazing and smooth shave, you will know it was worth the journey.
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Post by HoosierTrooper on Jun 2, 2013 9:26:14 GMT -6
You got some nice ones for sure, I'd suggest looking at the Micromatics next. You've got the 1912's covered, and the HFT is pretty representative of the later designs, so it would be logical to try the models that bridged the gap between the two eras. They are cheap, easy to find and easy to unload if you decide they don't work for you.
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RocketMan
Gem Star
RazorAddict
Welcome To The Sharp Side!
Posts: 4,167
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Post by RocketMan on Jun 2, 2013 11:43:13 GMT -6
I think all the comments here are spot on. You have a wonderful growing collection there. HTs suggestion to try out the MMs makes a lot of sense. InfernoOrangeSS comments that the Lather Catchers don't have any particular issues with aggressiveness and I have to agree with that as well. I love an LC shave and if you do come across one for a good price do be sure to check it out as well.
It is a slippery slope though. I personally have found that one leads to another. As in my signature line - there are so many razors, and so little time. : )
good luck!
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Post by drumzalot on Jun 2, 2013 12:22:34 GMT -6
InfernoOrangeSS, you scored a Damaskeene for $15? That's the kind of news that makes my acquisition disorder go haywire. I'm trying to be patient and not go crazy buying everything left and right but I get an itchy finger to go into Ebay.
HoosierTrooper, thank you for the advice. The great thing about the Micromatic model is that I see them all the time very cheap too. I believe they have an open comb and closed comb version? Maybe the closed comb might be a tad less aggressive.
Rocketman, I know for sure once I go to the next razor then I will jump onto another and another. The fun never ends and the old wallet gets thinner and thinner!
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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 Jun 2, 2013 21:53:30 GMT -6
There is the Open Comb Micromatic that most folks acknowledge as the most aggressive. IMO the most efficient and rewarding also. Then there is the ClogPruf MM and the Flying Wing MM or BulletTip for closed combs. They're good, but the OCMM is simply fantastic. Buy one (OCMM) and if it's too much, put it on a shelf and come back to it in a few months.
Patience is the key to finding great razors for good prices on ebay. It can be done. Too, do your homework and save the auctions of razors you like. When I'm in the market I may have 10-15 auctions I'm following. I also never bid high, and I never get caught in a bidding war. I plug in the highest I'll spend and that's it. Do that enough times and you win a certain percentage.
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Post by drumzalot on Jun 3, 2013 16:20:08 GMT -6
There is the Open Comb Micromatic that most folks acknowledge as the most aggressive. IMO the most efficient and rewarding also. Then there is the ClogPruf MM and the Flying Wing MM or BulletTip for closed combs. They're good, but the OCMM is simply fantastic. Buy one (OCMM) and if it's too much, put it on a shelf and come back to it in a few months. Patience is the key to finding great razors for good prices on ebay. It can be done. Too, do your homework and save the auctions of razors you like. When I'm in the market I may have 10-15 auctions I'm following. I also never bid high, and I never get caught in a bidding war. I plug in the highest I'll spend and that's it. Do that enough times and you win a certain percentage. You have actually answered every question I was going to ask about the Micromatic models. I wasn't sure if I should have started a thread asking about the Micromatic models available. The open comb MM sure looks viscous it makes my Fatip look wimpy. I might as well go all the way. I've been a tad lucky on Ebay usually I have gone for the random seller that doesn't know much about the razor so he/she asks for a low price then I snag it up. I will employ your strategy as well it opens up a lot more possibilities. Thanks for answering my next question so far I have gotten more positive votes for the Micromatic open comb.
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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 Jun 3, 2013 19:25:41 GMT -6
I also snipe. I have my highest bid all plugged into their software and I have refreshed the sit to make sure my connection is good. Then in the last 15 seconds I send off my highest bid and the software ebay uses does it's thing at computer speed. I have no time to get into a bidding war. Typically I lose those because I'm a low bidder, but sniping does have other advantages but only if someone isn't using ebays software.
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Post by johna2231 on Jun 4, 2013 6:55:24 GMT -6
Along the lines of sniping I've also had good luck with Gixen which is a free sniper auction bidder type program. You just import your e-bay watch list, enter the highest bid you're willing to make on a given item, and there you go. You don't have to provide credit card info etc. and you just check back and pay like normal with any ebay auciton. I've had good luck with it. And I'm very compuer illiterate so if I can do it, you all certainly can handle it.
John
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