Wednesday, August 3, 2016

Single-edge Razor *blades*

Unlike double-edge blades, getting good single-edge blades that preform to your needs can be a bit tricky. The variety is just not there. GEM and Personna blades can still be had; in fact, the stainless steel GEM blades available at one of the larger pharmacy chains (which btw, are marked "GEM by Personna") are quite good in a vintage GEM razor (or any other razor taking that type of blade). The coated stainless steel Ted Pella "Personna GEM" (starting to see a pattern here) are equally good, and can be easily found online. I've tried the vintage carbon steel blades, but found them too rough for my sensitive skin. But if you run across a vintage blade or two or three that gives you a good shave, there are tons on online auction sites. In fact, the old GEM "Blue Star" (without "Personna") blade is still being made.

It seems like injector blades can only be found online. Modern Schick injectors are made in China (hence the nickname "Chicks), but are actually pretty good blades. They come in 7-blade injectors, and can be easily ordered here (free shipping!) Personna (yup, they make these, too) has available a 20-blade injector that's of good quality, too. These blades will fit all the old injectors going back to like 1935. 

Something worth mentioning here: I just received an Eversharp-Schick injector razor today which came with a Personna injector of twin blades. Now, from I'd read before buying this, twin blades won't fit the older razors due to their being slightly thicker than single blades. They will, however, fit the Schick L type razors (mid-'60s) and later, and perform quite well. In fact, both Personna and Gillette packaging for twin blades states on the back that twin blades will fit any injector made after 1961 "except razors with rinsing levers, PAL razrors, and Personna regular razors". If in doubt, Google can be your friend. Research before trying to stick a twin in any vintage razor, else risk getting it stuck...removing it may be a real pain, and could cause damage to your razor.

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