Post by drumzalot on Aug 10, 2014 11:06:08 GMT -6
The American Safety Razor Lather Catcher
The ASR lather catcher, is a relatively late model lather catcher release that is essentially a bigger beefier clone of the Gem Junior Bar.
The ASR Case
The exterior of the case is simply in gorgeous condition. I don't own another case with an exterior that is in this pristine condition. Note how the top cover's latch has the traditional Kampfe Brothers stamp.
The interior of the case has a unique color scheme of pear green yellow and pine green hues. Admittedly, at first, I thought that the color combination was ugly but I have grown to appreciate it.
What Came Included
This is one of the very few razor sets that I own that came with everything included. Apart from the razor there are two steel blade holders and six original razor blades. All six original blades show definite signs of use. Another version of this set includes blade holders that have a small star stamped on the edge, my set's blade holders do not have the star emblem.
The razors blades are branded as Star Cru-Steel blades.
The ASR Razor In Detail
The ASR and Gem Junior Bar share quite a few common similarities. The scroll work design on the top of the head are very similar, they both also employ the bar (New Bar) feature.
The notable difference between the two razors is the heavier longer handle of the ASR. Though the handle is short it is made of solid steel with excellent textured knurling. A unique characteristic of the handle is it's elongated neck. This has to be one of the best handles I have seen on a lather catcher, the handle gives the small razor good added weight. The ASR truly comes across as a heavy duty version of the Gem Junior Bar.
The back of the frame does not have fancy scroll work (as some lather catchers do).
NOTE
I thought I would show how to properly install a razor blade into a lather catcher with the bar feature. There seems to be an incorrect view that the bar needs to be raised in order to install the razor blade.
The Shave
My favorite single edge razor is the Gem Junior Bar. Before testing the ASR razor, I concluded that it would not shave differently then the Gem Junior Bar. The ASR lather catchers is a superior performer that shaves exactly the same as the Gem Junior Bar. This is a mild gentle shaver that is far from the aggressive scale, the small blade gap no doubt plays a major part for it's mildness. I paired the ASR with a new Treet blade and I literally could speed through my usual three passes. I did have to go over a few trouble spots being that this a very mild razor.
The Summary
I would not recommend the ASR lather catcher to anyone who dislikes mild razors. The combination of the handle's heft the knurling pattern and the razor's mild touch turns this LC into an exquisite shaver. The ASR could easily fool me into believing that I was reviewing the Gem Junior Bar. I hate to admit this but due to the heavier well textured handle the ASR slightly edges out my favorite Junior Bar Bar. The ASR lather catcher would make an excellent addition to anyone who loves mild razors.
The ASR lather catcher, is a relatively late model lather catcher release that is essentially a bigger beefier clone of the Gem Junior Bar.
The ASR Case
The exterior of the case is simply in gorgeous condition. I don't own another case with an exterior that is in this pristine condition. Note how the top cover's latch has the traditional Kampfe Brothers stamp.
The interior of the case has a unique color scheme of pear green yellow and pine green hues. Admittedly, at first, I thought that the color combination was ugly but I have grown to appreciate it.
What Came Included
This is one of the very few razor sets that I own that came with everything included. Apart from the razor there are two steel blade holders and six original razor blades. All six original blades show definite signs of use. Another version of this set includes blade holders that have a small star stamped on the edge, my set's blade holders do not have the star emblem.
The razors blades are branded as Star Cru-Steel blades.
The ASR Razor In Detail
The ASR and Gem Junior Bar share quite a few common similarities. The scroll work design on the top of the head are very similar, they both also employ the bar (New Bar) feature.
The notable difference between the two razors is the heavier longer handle of the ASR. Though the handle is short it is made of solid steel with excellent textured knurling. A unique characteristic of the handle is it's elongated neck. This has to be one of the best handles I have seen on a lather catcher, the handle gives the small razor good added weight. The ASR truly comes across as a heavy duty version of the Gem Junior Bar.
The back of the frame does not have fancy scroll work (as some lather catchers do).
NOTE
I thought I would show how to properly install a razor blade into a lather catcher with the bar feature. There seems to be an incorrect view that the bar needs to be raised in order to install the razor blade.
The Shave
My favorite single edge razor is the Gem Junior Bar. Before testing the ASR razor, I concluded that it would not shave differently then the Gem Junior Bar. The ASR lather catchers is a superior performer that shaves exactly the same as the Gem Junior Bar. This is a mild gentle shaver that is far from the aggressive scale, the small blade gap no doubt plays a major part for it's mildness. I paired the ASR with a new Treet blade and I literally could speed through my usual three passes. I did have to go over a few trouble spots being that this a very mild razor.
The Summary
I would not recommend the ASR lather catcher to anyone who dislikes mild razors. The combination of the handle's heft the knurling pattern and the razor's mild touch turns this LC into an exquisite shaver. The ASR could easily fool me into believing that I was reviewing the Gem Junior Bar. I hate to admit this but due to the heavier well textured handle the ASR slightly edges out my favorite Junior Bar Bar. The ASR lather catcher would make an excellent addition to anyone who loves mild razors.