RobinK
Lather Catcher
Posts: 505
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Post by RobinK on Feb 10, 2014 8:44:21 GMT -6
Gentlemen, Please meet the Heljestrand Simplex. It is a Swedish SE razor from Eskilstuna. I could not find any information about it whatsoever, but a blade is on its way which should carry the production date. The blade is not a standard Heljestrand wedge issue. It more resembles a Henckels "wedge" (which is more of a hollow ground cut-throat cut into pieces). I should have the razor with me towards the end of the week and shall publish better pictures then.
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RobinK
Lather Catcher
Posts: 505
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Post by RobinK on Feb 10, 2014 8:45:09 GMT -6
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Post by PJGH on Feb 10, 2014 9:37:23 GMT -6
It's a beast, that's for sure!
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RobinK
Lather Catcher
Posts: 505
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Post by RobinK on Feb 10, 2014 9:51:21 GMT -6
According to my Swedish friend, it is also in very much pristine condition. The strange stuff in the comb is just dried lather and whiskers. Yuck. Said friend is a medical doctor, though, and will ship it sterilised.
I must admit that I am a little excited. Because I could not find any other of these anywhere on the web, not even Russian or German forums.
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papabear
Blade King
Looking for one that is just right
Posts: 465
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Post by papabear on Feb 10, 2014 10:23:00 GMT -6
A very nice item. Is there a possibilty of using a standard SE blade?
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RobinK
Lather Catcher
Posts: 505
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Post by RobinK on Feb 10, 2014 10:53:36 GMT -6
There is, but why would one want to do that? [Edit] To clarify, I have a truckload of NOS Heljestrand wedge blades, including one for the Simplex. So there is no immediate reason for me to use an SE blade. Furthermore, I have tried to use my Henckels and Heljestrand lather catchers with modern blades. Yes, they shave. But they turn from "old but good" into "Fatboys on 9 are for girls", ie unnecessarily aggressive without providing closer (let alone smoother) shaves. So, if you're in Europe and need a wedge blade, feel free to contact me. If you're in the US, find the moderator who's sitting on a dozen or so Be advised, though, that without a bayonet, these blades are nigh useless. Furthermore, they are wedge blades. Some might find them a bit direct, and most will struggle a bit to actually hone them. The Henckels (Kampfe, French whatever) blades I have used are half hollow or even hollow grinds, and most people will find them more agreeable (cut-throat users will know what I mean). What I am interested in most at the moment, though, is this: Has anyone ever seen another Simplex? Two friends of mine badly want one. We have some rather interesting cut-throat razors and vintage lather catchers to trade
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Post by drumzalot on Feb 10, 2014 13:12:10 GMT -6
Not only do you have a gorgeous razor but it does appear to be rare. It looks like it has a vintage industrial design. I have looked for information about this specific model and I cam up empty. Maybe one of the gentlemen on the forums will provide you with the information you are looking for.
I also share your opinion about wedge blades being used only on razors that were designed for them. I avoid SE razors that were designed to be used with wedge blades. There have been several posts about modern SE blades turning wedge blade razors into harsh or aggressive performers. I have personally tried doing this and the results were not satisfactory.
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RobinK
Lather Catcher
Posts: 505
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Post by RobinK on Feb 10, 2014 13:18:10 GMT -6
Thank you, Joe. I was hoping to be able to raid a Swedish patent office, but the Simplex is, apparently, "patentsökt", ie patent pending. Drat! As for the wedges, they can be tremendous fun. I mostly use cut-throat razors, and can put a shaving edge on a wedge. Which is both fun, and also gives me access to the older SE razor models (which I find visually more appealing that the otherwise excellent "modern" SE brands). And... I have an Allegro Modell E for maintenance, and that one works really, really well.
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RobinK
Lather Catcher
Posts: 505
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Post by RobinK on Feb 10, 2014 14:40:56 GMT -6
Okay. So I found one more. As suspected, it did come with a bayonet. Interesting one...
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RocketMan
Gem Star
RazorAddict
Welcome To The Sharp Side!
Posts: 4,167
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Post by RocketMan on Feb 12, 2014 12:21:29 GMT -6
Certainly an interesting looking razor. I can't wait for new pictures to see what it is all about.
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RobinK
Lather Catcher
Posts: 505
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Post by RobinK on Mar 12, 2014 8:24:09 GMT -6
Right. So I have everything shipped to my office address. DHL are, unfortunately, unable to deliver to that address if the company name is missing. As was the case with this shipment. Adding insult to injury, DHL managed to lose the package on its way back to Sweden.
And so begins the quest for another Simplex.
Yes, I am very, very unhappy.
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Post by PJGH on Mar 12, 2014 13:29:03 GMT -6
Never! What a farce! I've always been in awe of German logistics ...
I ordered some tyres once and when I got the delivery details, they were coming from Germany. 48 hour deliver time was guaranteed, but I didn't want to hold my breath. Well, blow me down! They arrived safe, sound and well within 48 hours. Chatting to my tyre fitter, when their company orders tyres they do the same, but it takes us (Brits) another two days to ship them from the central depot to my local garage, a mere 10 miles across the city.
Damn shame, pal. Still, those Swedes are an enterprising bunch and I hope another comes up for sale for you shortly.
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RocketMan
Gem Star
RazorAddict
Welcome To The Sharp Side!
Posts: 4,167
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Post by RocketMan on Mar 13, 2014 20:05:35 GMT -6
I was really looking forward to you taking us on a tour of this giant oak of a razor. I was eager to see how the Heljestrand wedge blades would work out. As you mentioned above, I am the lucky other end of your deal for a nice heap of NOS blades so I have a vested interest! It is a shame it didn't arrive.
Next!
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RobinK
Lather Catcher
Posts: 505
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Post by RobinK on Apr 7, 2014 12:56:55 GMT -6
Well, it's back in Sweden for the time being. My friend there is keeping it until - maybe! - another one pops up. In the meantime, DHL have managed to misplace a very nice French lather catcher and a #14 cut-throat razor. If you are into cut-throat razors, you know this hurts. Losers.
Here is what said friend had to say:
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RobinK
Lather Catcher
Posts: 505
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Post by RobinK on May 19, 2014 12:41:08 GMT -6
More Heljestrand madness
A cutthroat on a stick
A Swedish friend of mine outdid himself by digging up two of these Heljestrand single edge razors. Please meet the Heljestrand Simplex. A few months back, said friend contacted a few of us with a picture of a Swedish single edge razor heavily influenced by Swedish Functionalism. Nobody liked it. I loved it. I have a soft spot for functional design, and this razor is arguably its pinnacle. What you are looking at is, basically, a half hollow cutthroat bladed mounted on a single edge blade holder. The razor comes with two blades, and a bayonet required for stropping or honing. It is in near perfect condition, even the box looks terrific for its age. As you can see in the pictures, the blades are quite wide. Unfortunately, they are too wide to fit into an Allegro Model E stropper, but using the bayonet, stropping on a paddle strop works effortlessly. It should be noted that this particular bayonet is to bayonets what a Saab is to cars: indestructible. I have never seen one made so well. I spent a bit of time polishing the blades, and the razor, and the result is quite spectacular. I used an l shaped piece of balsa wood with neodymium magnets to hold the blade. Very useful. I could have put a mirror finish on the blades, too, to get rid of a few water spots, but the original finish was matte, and I prefer a slightly blemished matte finish over a mirror one. So there. In case you were wondering how it shaves, all I can say is, 'as it should.' Actually, 'better than any single edge razor I have ever tried, and better than an Mk 32.' I do not know what said friend did to one of the blades, but it is a worthy rival for a GEM open comb Micromatic SE. tl;dr, this is an absolutely fantastic razor.
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