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GEM Single-Edge Safety Razor
Object/Artifact
American GEM-brand single-edge (SE) safety razor with a bar-type head and a two-tone (chrome and black) knurled handle marked "GEM," manufactured by the American Safety Razor Company. A T-shaped single-edge safety razor. The head is a bar-type single-edge design; the baseplate shows a warm brass color where the original plating has worn through, and a darker top cap/clamping bar holds the single-edge blade. The handle is distinctly two-tone: an upper section in silver finish carrying the vertically-embossed maker's mark "GEM," transitioning to a lower section in black plastic with fine vertical knurling for grip, and terminating in a black threaded/knurled end. The razor shows substantial honest wear: plating loss on the head (brass showing through), darkening and patina on the blued sections, and general handling wear consistent with long use.
2025.1.12
José A. Cabrera Pérez traveled with it to the United States in 1992.
The Cabrera Arús family collection
José A. Cabrera Pérez collection
2025.1
José A. Cabrera Pérez travelled with it when he left Cuba in 1992.
American Safety Razor Company
New York City
New York
U.S.A.
North America
Razor and blade production was historically based in Brooklyn, New York; the corporation was chartered in Virginia from 1919.
"GEM" — embossed vertically on the chrome upper section of the handle
Fair
José A. Cabrera Pérez
owner
American Safety Razor Company
producer
Havana
Cuba
Caribbean
Central America
used
San Juan de Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Central America
the owner took it with him when he emigrated
GEM is one of the foundational American razor brands. GEM and Ever-Ready merged in 1906, incorporating as the American Safety Razor Company. That same year, abandoning the older wedge-blade design, ASR introduced the single-edge rib-back blade that is still the SE standard today. In 1919, GEM/Ever-Ready merged with Star to become the American Safety Razor Corporation, chartered in Virginia with razor and blade production remaining in Brooklyn, NY. GEM single-edge razors dominated a large share of the American shaving market through the first half of the 20th century, competing with Gillette's double-edge system. GEM produced numerous models over the decades, including the Damaskeene / "1912" (flip-top, 1912–1921), the Junior (from 1933), the Micromatic (twist-to-open, from 1932), the Micromatic Open Comb, the Heavy Flat-top / "G-Bar," the Featherweight, the Flip-Top (1950s), and the Push-Button (1950s–60s). This one is probably the Push.Button.