Gadget: GEM Personna safety razor by American Safety Razor Company

Notes: I didn’t know what a difference really sharp razors can make until Pedro Diaz introduced me to American Safety Razor Company’s GEM Personna safety razor blades. I can’t imaging clipping the tip with anything else. When I use this razor, the smallest of clipping seems to change the way the whole reed vibrates, not just getting a slightly shorter tip. They are so sharp that you can literally cut less than a hair’s width of cane with ease. They cut so precisely that, if you cut the tip at an angle, you can see the result clearly.

This particular razor is not always easy to find in brick-and-motor stores. I’ve only seen them at Duane Reade. Other chains sells ASR’s other GEM branded blades (such as Blue STAR or Industrial Blades) but they are far inferior. Don’t buy them. The package has to have the Personna moniker and the plastic casing is dark grey. If you cannot find them locally, you can try online retailers (Shenandoah Supply, planetrx.com, Amazon to name a few).