It has been a while!

[GAW9576]

The Featherweight is an excellent choice.
There are 2 generations of Featherweight. The first generation is the better of the 2 in my opinion. Very mild feeling to me while still being efficient enough. There are several variations within the two Generations but they don't effect the shave.

Here is a picture showing the top caps of both. The one on the one on the right is the Gen1 and the difference in the thumb tabs is the easiest way I have found to tell them apart.

I found one for a good price. However, it is the second generation but it looks in good condition. Also blades seem hard to find at least the ones that are made for shaving. Not many options for blades.

Obviously just my opinion but I would hold out for a good deal on a Gen1. The quality of the shave is better for me with Gen1 and the quality of the razor at least with mine seems better on the Gen1.
And as ShadowsDad said not a lot of blade choices are needed. It's actually kinda nice having limited selection. You don't have to try 20 different blades to figure out which one works best with a Gem. Finding them on the shelf at a local store can be a little more difficult but online they are readily available. I have found private label SS blades at CVS and Meijer stores. But they were not as good a quality as the Gem blades.

[ShadowsDad]

The biggest "problem" I and many others have had with my chosen SS GEM blades are that they're too sharp until they've somehow been dulled down a notch or 2. Many do that by hand stropping them. I did the deed by putting them in a milder razor for 3-4 shaves. Then they can go into any razor you wish. Now I just use them straight out of the wrapper. The carbon steel Gems don't seem to exhibit that quality, but they do need care after every shave.

[bcshaves]

You don't really need a lot of blade choices. The GEM are quite excellent. They are available in carbon steel and Stainless versions. Each one has their adherents. There are other blade choices but frankly I never bothered with them.

Where do you get your blades? I want to make sure I get shaving blades and not the ones used for construction or similar activities. Maybe there is sample pack of GEM blades so that I can see which I like?

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I found one for a good price. However, it is the second generation but it looks in good condition. Also blades seem hard to find at least the ones that are made for shaving. Not many options for blades.

Obviously just my opinion but I would hold out for a good deal on a Gen1. The quality of the shave is better for me with Gen1 and the quality of the razor at least with mine seems better on the Gen1.
And as ShadowsDad said not a lot of blade choices are needed. It's actually kinda nice having limited selection. You don't have to try 20 different blades to figure out which one works best with a Gem. Finding them on the shelf at a local store can be a little more difficult but online they are readily available. I have found private label SS blades at CVS and Meijer stores. But they were not as good a quality as the Gem blades.

I might get that Gen2 just so that I can say I have it. I like having a lot of blade options because that allows the price of the blades to be low. More production means that they are cheaper. I checked out the options for GEM blades and I have seen five options so far. The prices are not very good even in bulk. There is another type of blade that I am sure you know of that is 100 for 10 dollars. The best price wise if have found are 100 GEM blades for 25 dollars.

[Ordinaryshaver]

Just make sure they are for actual SHAVING blades. Nott he ones dmused in box knives.
Just trust me.....

[bcshaves]

Just make sure they are for actual SHAVING blades. Nott he ones dmused in box knives.
Just trust me.....

I have heard of some people making that mistake.

[ShadowsDad]

You don't really need a lot of blade choices. The GEM are quite excellent. They are available in carbon steel and Stainless versions. Each one has their adherents. There are other blade choices but frankly I never bothered with them.

Where do you get your blades? I want to make sure I get shaving blades and not the ones used for construction or similar activities. Maybe there is sample pack of GEM blades so that I can see which I like?

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When I started I got them from CVS. But Connaught in the UK  has them by the 100 pack and they're much less expensive per blade that way. I think it was Rite-Aid that has the carbon steel blades. But if you get them froma pharmacy you'll get shaving blades.  Home Depot does NOT have shaving blades. 

Blade expense... a blade that's used twice and tossed is an expensive blade IMO. SE blades have lasted over 30 shaves for me at times and it extremely unusual for me to get fewer than 20 shaves out of a blade. Don't be afraid to just use the things until they get uncomfortable to use. They won't bite and raw blood as other much thinner blades for unmentionables do. SE blades just stop working efficiently. At that point they're still sharper than box cutter blades from the hardware store.

[bcshaves]

Where do you get your blades? I want to make sure I get shaving blades and not the ones used for construction or similar activities. Maybe there is sample pack of GEM blades so that I can see which I like?

---

When I started I got them from CVS. But Connaught in the UK  has them by the 100 pack and they're much less expensive per blade that way. I think it was Rite-Aid that has the carbon steel blades. But if you get them froma pharmacy you'll get shaving blades.  Home Depot does NOT have shaving blades. 

Blade expense... a blade that's used twice and tossed is an expensive blade IMO. SE blades have lasted over 30 shaves for me at times and it extremely unusual for me to get fewer than 20 shaves out of a blade. Don't be afraid to just use the things until they get uncomfortable to use. They won't bite and raw blood as other much thinner blades for unmentionables do. SE blades just stop working efficiently. At that point they're still sharper than box cutter blades from the hardware store.

I see. I was looking for blade options but only found a few. The hundred blades I found do not say they are for shaving. Anyway to get them shipped to me from the US? I like to buy American as often as I can. There has to be some sample pack out there with GEM style blades. Do you know of any?

[Ordinaryshaver]

There are a few vendors where you can get samples of blades to try.
Maybe we can all organize a featherweight shave day to honor your intentions.

[bcshaves]

There are a few vendors where you can get samples of blades to try.
Maybe we can all organize a featherweight shave day to honor your intentions.

That would be nice but I would not be able to join as I do not have a featherweight at this time. Could you tell me the vendors?

[ShadowsDad]

If they're from Connaught they ARE for shaving. Connaught isn't a hardware store. FWIW, they are USA made, you're just buying from a UK vendor whp gets them from the USA. If I thought shipping was exorbitant I wouldn't have told you about them. When I was buying blades they were less expensive than US vendors, delivery was quicker too. But it's been awhile maybe their shipping has changed.