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Post by rocketman on Dec 5, 2009 15:43:04 GMT -5
I recently picked up a Gem Junior Bar 1908 (  ) with the two piece metal tube handle. Well, mine is actually a one piece - the extension/stropper holder is missing. I notice that the majority of these I have seen for sale have this second handle piece missing. (Actually, sets I have seen like the 7 day set seem to not come with the extension piece. I wonder if this was the situation when they were for sale, or if the extension/stropper merely get lost over the years....?) I find shaving with the single piece of the handle is not ideal and I have made a simple extension using a piece of doweling. However, I would like to know the intended/actual length of the proper handle set up. Would somebody who has the proper two piece for the 1908 please measure and post the length of the extension and the length of the overall measurement of the assembled handle from the top of the brass tightening knob (excluding the threaded post) to the bottom of the handle please?? I would be quite happy to have the proper length of handle for my 'reno'. thnx!!  . |
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Post by Admin on Dec 5, 2009 17:16:09 GMT -5
the stropping attachment would have been standard with the sets through about 1918, 1919. the earlier sets had the fanciest ones, with their own wooden handles.
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Post by rocketman on Dec 6, 2009 12:51:47 GMT -5
Thanx Dave!
Now who can measure a 1908 Gem 2 part Handle for me???
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Post by Admin on Dec 6, 2009 21:14:14 GMT -5
i dont have mine anymore, sold it to bong  i want to say 6 inches. |
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Post by Possum on Dec 7, 2009 4:27:42 GMT -5
Okay Rocket, here ya go. This is from an '02 Kampfe Bros Star LC but they should be the same handle.
Total length without the strop attachment is 3 7/16"
First pieced attached to the razor is 2"
2nd piece the one you are missing is 2 1/16"
The difference between the separate sections total length and the assembled total overall length is due to the second part "screwing" into the first part of the handle.
Hope that helps.
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T Rick
Lather Catcher
UNSTROPPABLE!!!!
You can only use one edge at a time.
Posts: 40
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Post by T Rick on Dec 7, 2009 12:30:16 GMT -5
Okay Rocket, here ya go. This is from an '02 Kampfe Bros Star LC but they should be the same handle. Total length without the strop attachment is 3 7/16" First pieced attached to the razor is 2" 2nd piece the one you are missing is 2 1/16" The difference between the separate sections total length and the assembled total overall length is due to the second part "screwing" into the first part of the handle. Hope that helps. Don't know if this is any help, but the 1904 Ever Ready (front hinge) is 3 3/8 inch overall (assembled, no strop attachment) with the first piece (attached to razor) being 1 15/16" to the top of the brass fitting (minus the threads) and the second (one you are missing) being a bit over 2 1/8 (2 5/32 would be nearly exact) on it's own. Checking the handle to my GEM 1908 (also missing the extension), it is about 1/32 inch shorter than that of the Ever Ready and checking compared with the Ever Ready, while they look quite similar, these two are different. The ER is slightly larger in diameter also, so that when inserting the extension into the GEM, it is just slightly loose, to where it feels like it is threading in, but when reaching the end of the threads, instead of stopping, it continues to spin. |
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Post by Possum on Dec 7, 2009 12:38:34 GMT -5
Okay Rocket, here ya go. This is from an '02 Kampfe Bros Star LC but they should be the same handle. Total length without the strop attachment is 3 7/16" First pieced attached to the razor is 2" 2nd piece the one you are missing is 2 1/16" The difference between the separate sections total length and the assembled total overall length is due to the second part "screwing" into the first part of the handle. Hope that helps. Don't know if this is any help, but the 1904 Ever Ready (front hinge) is 3 3/8 inch overall (assembled, no strop attachment) with the first piece (attached to razor) being 1 15/16" to the top of the brass fitting (minus the threads) and the second (one you are missing) being a bit over 2 1/8 (2 5/32 would be nearly exact) on it's own. Checking the handle to my GEM 1908 (also missing the extension), it is about 1/32 inch shorter than that of the Ever Ready and checking compared with the Ever Ready, while they look quite similar, these two are different. The ER is slightly larger in diameter also, so that when inserting the extension into the GEM, it is just slightly loose, to where it feels like it is threading in, but when reaching the end of the threads, instead of stopping, it continues to spin. Actually I screwed up. I used the measurements from my '11 GEM Lather Catcher not the Kampfe Bros. They are both the same though. |
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Post by rocketman on Dec 7, 2009 13:55:45 GMT -5
This is great guys - thnx!!!!!  This info is exactly what I need. Thank you to both of you for such accurate measurements - it is really appreciated. I had the handle at four inches, thinking that the second half would be the same length as I looked at some pics and thought they appeared roughly the same. But, as is pointed out, the screwing in of the handle eats up some of that length. And, between the two of you taking measures it appears that the different razors are really quite similar in length. That is pretty cool to know actually! The four inch length I used, well it just felt weird shaving with it. It felt as if it was too long and affecting the way I was holding the razor, and the subsequent angle I was getting. But, I wasn't really sure what 'correct' should be. When I removed the homemade extension, it felt pretty dern short! I figure I will modify the extension to give a total length of 3 and 7/16 inches. That seems right on really with what both of you came up with - since the accuracy of my woodwork will probably take care of one extra sixteenth either way!! Thanx so much!! Off to the workshop - then off to the ShaveDen. Yeah!! ;D UPDATE: I never thought I'd being say this, but - Length really DOES matter!!
Just had a shave with the newly adjusted 1908 Gem with TOS Handle, and it drives mucho better!! Great shave. Great razor. Great site! Thnx! |
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Post by Possum on Dec 7, 2009 17:11:53 GMT -5
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T Rick
Lather Catcher
UNSTROPPABLE!!!!
You can only use one edge at a time.
Posts: 40
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Post by T Rick on Dec 7, 2009 18:16:52 GMT -5
I wonder about the weight difference between the original metal handle and the wooden handle? How much a difference there is in the weight. Hummmm!  Good question! I bet the wood is heavier (at least without the extension, the hollow metal feels really light). Also, I have a correction from my post above. I said the ER was larger diameter, but should have said the GEM was larger diameter (otherwise, how would the ER extension even have fit inside the GEM... duh!  ). |
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Post by rocketman on Dec 8, 2009 1:27:08 GMT -5
I thought about the weight before selecting a material. I used bamboo as a matter of fact because I thought it would be quite light. (That, and the fact that I had this giant oversized chopstick hanging around that tapered ever so nicely to fit the tube!!) It is actually pretty strong stuff, and solid. The weight though is really light and doesn't add anything to the weight of the razor. I think it is a good match.
What it does miss is the grip afforded by the stars on the metal handle. It is a little too smooth. That said though, the majority of the part being held is the top metal extension with the wood just resting in the palm with the fourth and fifth finger just on top on it. The primary grip seems to be the thumb and forefinger with the middle finger sort of clamping it against my hand. That is where the grip is needed, and that is where the original tube comes in to play. So all in all, it has worked out good.
The only concern I have is that I don't want to leave the extension inserted because I think it will trap moisture and cause rusting/oxidation inside the tube leading to weakness and eventual rust through and damage. That would suck! So, I remove it after the shave. The only problem with that is that I had to add a single thin strip of duct tape to provide a friction fit holding the extension in place. I didn't want to make the shaft itself fit too tightly for fear of damaging the original handle tube. But, so far so good. I will see how this duct tape gasket works out. I suppose with a roll of duct tape I should be good for the next 6000 years or so!
I think my best solution will be to keep my eyes peeled for an extension to this handle. Ya never know - it could happen!!
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Post by specialk on Dec 9, 2009 11:15:58 GMT -5
Good stuff....very crafty of you!
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) with the two piece metal tube handle. Well, mine is actually a one piece - the extension/stropper holder is missing. I notice that the majority of these I have seen for sale have this second handle piece missing. (Actually, sets I have seen like the 7 day set seem to not come with the extension piece. I wonder if this was the situation when they were for sale, or if the extension/stropper merely get lost over the years....?)
).