The History of the Gem Safety Razor
The Gem Safety Razor has a long history that spans almost 200 years. Over time, this razor has been able to claim many titles. At the beginning of the 1900s, the Gem razor was the best-selling razor of its kind. Despite popular belief, the Gem Safety Razor is not the first safety razor to be developed. Does this Spark an idea?
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Before The Gem Safety Razor
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Before the Gem Safety Razor there was the Star Razor. The Star Razor was introduced in 1875 by the Kampfe Brothers. According to RazorandBrush.com, the Kampfe brothers were cutlery manufacturers who "began manufacturing the Star safety razor in 1875 in a one-room shop in New York City."
It was one of their employees though that went on to patent the Gem Safety Razor. Jerry Reichard, who worked for the Kampfe Brother's for 23 years, opened up his company,The Gem Safety Company, in 1898. Gem's first product, the Gem Safety Razor, quickly became one of the world's most famous razor and blades ever to be made.
Growth Over The Years
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In 1900, due to increased pressure and competition, The Gem Safety Razor Company changed its name to The American Safety Razor Company. In 1903, the founder of Gem Safety Razors, Jerry Reichard, left Gem Safety Razors to form a new company named The Yankee Company. These two companies, along with Star Safety Razors, would eventually merge in 1906 and form The Personna American Safety Razor Company. Today, this company is known as The American Safety Razor Company.
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Recent Developments
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The American Safety Razor Company produces Treet, Personna, Pal and Gem razor blades. They continue to be the most major competitor to Gillette Razor company and have been for the last century. The biggest sellers for The American Safety Razor Company in recent years are disposable razors, especially with the development of women's razors in the 1970s, particularly the Flicker in 1971.
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References
- Photo Credit shaving image by Aleksandr Lobanov from Fotolia.com
