Post by ShadowsDad on Feb 4, 2012 13:32:02 GMT -6
Kampfe 1913 “Cru-Steel” Lather Catcher
Yet another of my absolute favorite sort of SE razor; another lather catcher! But someone has to take the hit for the team! Who better than myself?
The “Cru-Steel” refers to the “crucible steel” that the blades were made of.
The 1913 Kampfe “Cru-Steel” is the first razor Kampfe made that was designed for SE blades. The lather catcher is small, but is larger than many other razors that follow it. According to Waits, this razor is identical to the Hero razor marked “patented on Apr 14, 1914". Construction appears to be of chrome plated steel. It has blade clamps on the sides of the razor, but these are bent from, and are integral parts of the head. One would need to send it through checked in luggage to have them get thrown out of adjustment. The comb is of the closed comb variety. I didn’t test the head for durability or ruggedness, but I suspect it’s quite rugged due to the construction and material it’s made of. Unlike razors made of plated brass, this razor isn’t adjustable, but because of the construction, it will take a catastrophic accident to destroy it IMO. One problem that can befall a plated steel razor is rust. When the plating wears through or is somehow damaged the steel will begin to rust under the plating. Mine displays this damage to a small degree. I have no idea if it can be restored for a reasonable price, but I intend to find out. The corrosion is plainly visible in the comb in the photo above. The 2 areas are to the left and just off center to the right.
It comes with a decent handle, but if one needs to replace it an EverReady handle fits it. The Cru-Steel handle won’t work on an EverReady because the thread isn’t chased down far enough to work on it. There is very little to adjust on the Cru-Steel. The razor is plated steel, the comb is a closed comb and not prone to misalignment, unless it’s a razor that has been crushed. The only part not made of plated steel is the blade lock, and it appears to be of brass or bronze. The razor weighs 45 grams. The head is 1 3/4" wide at the widest part which is the lather catcher under the shave head. The width of the cutting head under the blade is 1 5/8". The handle (screwed in) is approx. 2 7/16" long and 3/8" in diameter. The razor as measured from the top of the shave head to the bottom of the handle measures 3 7/16" long.
The handle is tubular and made of plated steel, so it has some heft and the knurling is very useable; I have no issues with it at all, and I’m handle “picky”. The handle is made to accept a stropping extension, but I don’t have it. Even if I did I have it, I have no doubt that it wouldn’t work with todays blades so IMO not having the extension is no loss unless you want the razor for historical accuracy.
Blade loading is a piece of cake, if you can't figure it out, call your wife to show you how. Just looking at the supplied pictures will explain it to you. It's straight forward with no surprises.
The shave with this razor is very aggressive. It’s an extremely efficient razor. I’ve used this razor a number of times now and as long as I’m attentive during the shave it gives me a great bloodless shave. On a day when I’m mentally off elsewhere during the shave, it takes that opportunity to strike, and it lives to strike. It can turn the face bloody in a heartbeat. The solution is to pay attention to technique and the shave; this razor absolutely demands it! If you’re having a bad day, please do yourself a favor and don’t use this razor on that day. I don’t have a str8 razor, but I can’t help but think that the shave with this razor would be something like using a str8. It ranks among the most aggressive razors I’ve ever used and I’m an aggressive razor junkie. I like this razor though.
Yet another of my absolute favorite sort of SE razor; another lather catcher! But someone has to take the hit for the team! Who better than myself?
The “Cru-Steel” refers to the “crucible steel” that the blades were made of.
The 1913 Kampfe “Cru-Steel” is the first razor Kampfe made that was designed for SE blades. The lather catcher is small, but is larger than many other razors that follow it. According to Waits, this razor is identical to the Hero razor marked “patented on Apr 14, 1914". Construction appears to be of chrome plated steel. It has blade clamps on the sides of the razor, but these are bent from, and are integral parts of the head. One would need to send it through checked in luggage to have them get thrown out of adjustment. The comb is of the closed comb variety. I didn’t test the head for durability or ruggedness, but I suspect it’s quite rugged due to the construction and material it’s made of. Unlike razors made of plated brass, this razor isn’t adjustable, but because of the construction, it will take a catastrophic accident to destroy it IMO. One problem that can befall a plated steel razor is rust. When the plating wears through or is somehow damaged the steel will begin to rust under the plating. Mine displays this damage to a small degree. I have no idea if it can be restored for a reasonable price, but I intend to find out. The corrosion is plainly visible in the comb in the photo above. The 2 areas are to the left and just off center to the right.
It comes with a decent handle, but if one needs to replace it an EverReady handle fits it. The Cru-Steel handle won’t work on an EverReady because the thread isn’t chased down far enough to work on it. There is very little to adjust on the Cru-Steel. The razor is plated steel, the comb is a closed comb and not prone to misalignment, unless it’s a razor that has been crushed. The only part not made of plated steel is the blade lock, and it appears to be of brass or bronze. The razor weighs 45 grams. The head is 1 3/4" wide at the widest part which is the lather catcher under the shave head. The width of the cutting head under the blade is 1 5/8". The handle (screwed in) is approx. 2 7/16" long and 3/8" in diameter. The razor as measured from the top of the shave head to the bottom of the handle measures 3 7/16" long.
The handle is tubular and made of plated steel, so it has some heft and the knurling is very useable; I have no issues with it at all, and I’m handle “picky”. The handle is made to accept a stropping extension, but I don’t have it. Even if I did I have it, I have no doubt that it wouldn’t work with todays blades so IMO not having the extension is no loss unless you want the razor for historical accuracy.
Blade loading is a piece of cake, if you can't figure it out, call your wife to show you how. Just looking at the supplied pictures will explain it to you. It's straight forward with no surprises.
The shave with this razor is very aggressive. It’s an extremely efficient razor. I’ve used this razor a number of times now and as long as I’m attentive during the shave it gives me a great bloodless shave. On a day when I’m mentally off elsewhere during the shave, it takes that opportunity to strike, and it lives to strike. It can turn the face bloody in a heartbeat. The solution is to pay attention to technique and the shave; this razor absolutely demands it! If you’re having a bad day, please do yourself a favor and don’t use this razor on that day. I don’t have a str8 razor, but I can’t help but think that the shave with this razor would be something like using a str8. It ranks among the most aggressive razors I’ve ever used and I’m an aggressive razor junkie. I like this razor though.