nate
Lather Catcher
Posts: 42
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Post by nate on Dec 20, 2011 20:09:56 GMT -5
Hello to all and thanks for getting all the SE users in one place because I have basically been using this site as an encyclopedia for the last couple days. Quick history about me is I have been a DE guy before this, then something spurred me to get an injector. After acquiring a nice little alphabet of the injectors, I turned to the Gems. Don't ask me why, but I now find myself stalking the bay just about hourly. There is kind of a funny story with this one that I really didn't expect to get but, can someone ID this guy for me? www.ebay.com/itm/300639677604?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649#ht_1564wt_1105 |
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nate
Lather Catcher
Posts: 42
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Post by nate on Dec 20, 2011 22:11:04 GMT -5
Ok now I see the tell tale 1912 numbers, but doest that mean it is a 1912? Sorry for the stupid question but I am a little confused perhaps I am under the assumption there are more than one 1912 models. I don't know. My confusion is palpable.
Nate
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Post by bjorney on Dec 21, 2011 1:12:10 GMT -5
Nate,
You are correct. There are a number of 1912 models. It's the head design that was patented in 1912. You can find several different kinds of handles, metal or bakelite, made by Star, GEM or Ever Ready that all have the 1912 head. They are very nice shavers.
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Post by wchnu on Dec 21, 2011 4:21:54 GMT -5
First off welcome to TOS. Great to have you
That is actually a Damaskeene 1912. Nice shaving razor. I have 3 of them I think. I am suprised at the price though. You should really love how it shaves.
Maybe I should sell one of mine. Hummmm
Fuzzy
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nate
Lather Catcher
Posts: 42
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Post by nate on Dec 21, 2011 5:53:08 GMT -5
Thanks for the welcome.
Fuzzy, the 'funny story' I was referring to and not thinking I was going to get this razor is that it was listed at, and here is the kicker...$140.00. I had been searching the bay long enough to know that these were common enough not to warrant that price. I offered a "measly" fifty bucks thinking they would poo-poo it and at ask themselves are we asking WAY too much for this. But well as you can see, it was me that should have done a little more thinking through.
I'm not too worried about it though. The way I look at it, if this thing provides me with one at least good shave in my life, than it was worth it.
And besides, with some coated Pellas, I plan on getting more than just one good shave from it.
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nate
Lather Catcher
Posts: 42
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Post by nate on Dec 21, 2011 6:15:15 GMT -5
Oh, and I guess I can add that if the 1912 doesn't help with some good shaves, then my newly acquired Contour II, Bullet Type MM, and G Bar should do the trick. Although I will have to wait for the G bar and Bullet Type; damn you Christmas. And if those don't do the trick then we'll try a Featherweight and so on and so on, you get the picture. Eventually I will have to get an OCMM, so I can pick my side in that battle.
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Post by wchnu on Dec 21, 2011 7:06:06 GMT -5
You will get a ton of good shaves. Oh and welcome to the dark side. You get one SE and you just gotta have more  don't miss out on some of the carbon steel blades either such as a Treet blade. I use more of them then pellas. If you want to try a few you can send me a addy in a pm and i will gladly share a few. I can get them easily local. Fuzzy |
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nate
Lather Catcher
Posts: 42
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Post by nate on Dec 21, 2011 9:25:47 GMT -5
I would be remiss if I didn't thank Fuzzy publicly for the offer that I immediately took him up on. (I hope you got my PM)
Now we are talking blades I can ask a question that I have always wondered the logistics of, so to speak. And I do not know metals very well so I am bound to get some things wrong, so please feel free to steer me in the right direction.
Here is what I think I know:
1. From the Pella website I gathered there are 3 kinds of blades: carbon steel, stainless steel, and a coated stainless steel (which are the ones people mostly talk about?)
2. The coated ones last longer, 5 to 7 shaves, because of the coating.
3. The Carbon blades are good for anywhere from 1 to 3 shaves and they should be dipped in alcohol after use to prevent rust.
So I guess my question is this, is the first shave you get with a good carbon blade better than a first shave with the PTFE coated blades?
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Post by wchnu on Dec 21, 2011 10:57:08 GMT -5
I get several good shaves from the carbon blades. I prefer carbon blades myself. But to answer the question I think the first shaves are great. You have to try them yourself and see what you think.
Fuzzy
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nate
Lather Catcher
Posts: 42
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Post by nate on Dec 22, 2011 6:45:45 GMT -5
Now that I look at the head a little more closely, it almost looks too good. I started looking at some other Damaskeenes and it looked like the heads have a bevel or like an a-frame, on the part that clasps down on the blade (hard to describe but I think that is the best I can do). Mine looks like it has been machined. Doesn't it, or am I seeing things? I don't really like the idea of an old razor being "beautified" like this. Or maybe I am just mad that I didn't realize it sooner. Oh well, I will have to just see when it gets here. Please let me know what you think, hell, it might not even affect performance. All else fails I guess I can take them up on their return policy.
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nate
Lather Catcher
Posts: 42
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Post by nate on Dec 22, 2011 14:26:36 GMT -5
Then somebody bumped the Is it a Damaskeene thread? and the heads do look smooth. Am I worrying too much? Should I just shut up and see how it shaves?
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Post by wchnu on Dec 22, 2011 17:16:37 GMT -5
It looks fine. Hold off on the hanging party till it gets there. Fuzzy |
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nate
Lather Catcher
Posts: 42
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Post by nate on Dec 22, 2011 17:49:05 GMT -5
It looks fine. Hold off on the hsnging party till it gets there. Fuzzy Don't know what this is but I think you're right I should tone it down until I have something in my hand. |
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Post by rocketman on Dec 22, 2011 21:27:59 GMT -5
Sweeet razor for shaving with. Yours looks factory to me. You are going to enjoy it - a lot!!
Clean it up gently like the FuzzyOne suggests somewhere around the boards - with toothbrush and soap. Then strap in a blade and let er fly!! (A very light metal polish may be ok if 'lightly' used on the head cap. Those milled handles are tough to get looking new again though, so your goal really is to get it clean. Toothpicks and trimmed/sharpened skewers are handy also. Scrubbing Bubbles does work wonders too, but don't let it sit on the razor for long as it can cause darkening and discoloration on the handles.)
;D
I have trimmed my own rotation down quite a bit over the years, yet the Damaskeene remains close at hand. I personally prefer a Pella blade as they work great for me. Carbon blades, whether SE or DE always give me trouble. I like a coated blade, and the Pella Gem PTFE must be one of the slickest SE blades on the planet!! Others enjoy the feel of the carbon though. (Thnx again though Fuzz for the carbon blades to test. I still have the 2 unused blades in the package in an honored spot in my collection!!)
You did pay a comfortable amount for it, but you will not be disappointed with the razor - it is a classic and as far as I am concerned, an absolute must in any 'working' collection!!
And welcome to the Boards!!!!
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Post by HoosierTrooper on Dec 22, 2011 22:40:08 GMT -5
The good news is that it's definitely a Damskeene and an early model to boot, made before Gem Culery became the Gem Safety Razor Corp around 1919. The bad news is that someone definitely did a number on the cover plate, looks like they took the nickel finish right off, and $50 is a pretty high price for one in that condition.
But the 1912 is the best razor made, and the Damaskeene is the best of the best. In my not so humble opinion of course.
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don't miss out on some of the carbon steel blades either such as a Treet blade. I use more of them then pellas. If you want to try a few you can send me a addy in a pm and i will gladly share a few. I can get them easily local. 
