GEM Single-Edge Safety Razor

Object/Artifact

-

Archive of Cuban Socialism

Name/Title

GEM Single-Edge Safety Razor

Entry/Object ID

2025.1.12

Description

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.

Use

José A. Cabrera Pérez traveled with it to the United States in 1992.

Collection

The Cabrera Arús family collection, José A. Cabrera Pérez collection

Acquisition

Accession

2025.1

Notes

José A. Cabrera Pérez travelled with it when he left Cuba in 1992.

Made/Created

Manufacturer

American Safety Razor Company

Place

City

New York City

State/Province

New York

Country

U.S.A.

Continent

North America

Notes

Razor and blade production was historically based in Brooklyn, New York; the corporation was chartered in Virginia from 1919.

Inscription/Signature/Marks

Notes

"GEM" — embossed vertically on the chrome upper section of the handle

Condition

Overall Condition

Fair

Relationships

Related Person or Organization

Person or Organization

José A. Cabrera Pérez

Notes

owner

Person or Organization

American Safety Razor Company

Notes

producer

Related Places

Place

City

Havana

Country

Cuba

Region

Caribbean, Central America

Notes

used

Place

City

San Juan de Puerto Rico

Country

Puerto Rico

Region

Central America

Notes

the owner took it with him when he emigrated

Web Links and URLs

https://www.razoremporium.com/1960s-gem-push-button-single-edge-safety-razor-original-condition/, https://edgewell.com/pages/epc-custom-brands

Research Notes

Notes

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.

Created By

María A. Cabrera Arús

Create Date

July 21, 2025

Updated By

María A. Cabrera Arús

Update Date

July 17, 2026