Post by drumzalot on Feb 10, 2015 11:54:29 GMT -6
The Keen Kutter seems to be relegated by many as a display piece. This particular razor doesn't appear to be in high demand, not much is mentioned about it either. There is a reason for the Keen Kutter's low key status … the proprietary razor blade.
Can the Keen Kutter be saved from it's display piece status? Can a modern blade miraculously fit the underrated Kutter? The answer is YES to both questions!
About Keen Kutter
If you have seen a Christy single edge razor the Keen Kutter will look very similar. The Christy Company manufactured the razor for the (E.C.) Simmons Hardware Company. Simmons manufactured a variety of hardware tools and cutlery. “Keen Kutter” was the brand name of the Simmons Hardware Company's higher quality tools. The Keen Kutter trademark began to appear in around 1870.
The Keen Kutter Safety Razor Case
The case resembles a small flat cardboard wafer. I am surprised that the razor can fit into such a small box!
A scan of both sides of the instruction sheet.
The Keen Kutter Safety Razor
When I first held the Keen Kutter in my hand it did not feel like a safety razor at all. The kutter feels more like a small pocket screwdriver then a razor. The bakelite handle is long thin smooth and red with white swirl patterns. The Kutter is the lightest weighing razor that I own.
Loading A Razor Blade
There is great news about the Kutter and razor blades. Fortunately, the Keen Kutter will accept an injector blade! A Keen Kutter does not have to sit as a display piece! Loading a blade into the Kutter is no different then on a Christy razor. The picture below shows how to load an injector blade correctly into the Keen Kutter.
The Christy does have an advantage in using an injector blade over the Kutter though. The Christy has two nubs located near the back of the base plate. The picture below will show a difference between the Kutter & Christy. The Kutter's base plate is smooth lacking the nubs found on the Christy.
The difference in design has the potential of moving the injector blade back during the shave. The pressure of the top plate seems to hold the injector blade well for shaving. I am not completely sure if the blade won't be pushed back with excessive pressure.
The Keen Kutter Blade Mod
I have decided to create a mod to solve this problem.
You might find creating the mod above is a bit tedious or challenging. It's not difficult and with a bit of patience the mod can be done. I was able to create the Keen Kutter mod in under an hour. With the mod the injector blade will NOT move back with excessive pressure.
The Shave Review
The Keen Kutter performed exactly the same as a late injector model, you pretty much know what you are going to experience. The shave is mild and comfortable as long as the angle is right. Keeping the Kutter's head flat on the skin works extremely well. The Kutter was factory designed with the angle set.
This might be just my own experience, the built in angle makes the shave a bit rough and aggressive. Maybe I need to use the Kutter more? I prefer keeping the Kutter's head flat on the skin.
The Keen Kutter is a mild comfortable shaver. Going ATG on the upper lip was easy. I did get a few slight instances of aggression going XTG and ATG on the neck. I did end up with one cut on the neck going ATG. My concentration and angle might have been off, since this is indeed a mild razor.
I have to stress that I found the Keen Kutter not to be a close shaver. As much as I redid a few passes the Kutter left me with stubble. I did another pass with a Schick I2 type injector and it gave me a BBS. The Kutter is still a good all around shaver, I do have mention that it's not a close shaver.
The Good The Bad & The Summary
I would like to begin with the bad. The Keen Kutter takes proprietary blades, they are also not easy to find. The handle is thin and smooth this might not be to your liking. The Keen Kutter razor variation (in this review) might be slippery in your hands. I must add that I personally did not find this razor to be slippery.
The good, you can use injector blades with the Keen Kutter. The tension of the head on the base plate seems to hold the blade well enough. I will need to test drive the Kutter a few more times. Fortunately, the mod will definitely keep the blade in place no matter the pressure!
The Keen Kutter is an above average shaver, it is mild and comfortable shaver. This is a safety razor that I will definitely use again. Another good note is that the Keen Kutter is easy to find and they sell for a reasonable price.
Can the Keen Kutter be saved from it's display piece status? Can a modern blade miraculously fit the underrated Kutter? The answer is YES to both questions!
About Keen Kutter
If you have seen a Christy single edge razor the Keen Kutter will look very similar. The Christy Company manufactured the razor for the (E.C.) Simmons Hardware Company. Simmons manufactured a variety of hardware tools and cutlery. “Keen Kutter” was the brand name of the Simmons Hardware Company's higher quality tools. The Keen Kutter trademark began to appear in around 1870.
The Keen Kutter Safety Razor Case
The case resembles a small flat cardboard wafer. I am surprised that the razor can fit into such a small box!
A scan of both sides of the instruction sheet.
The Keen Kutter Safety Razor
When I first held the Keen Kutter in my hand it did not feel like a safety razor at all. The kutter feels more like a small pocket screwdriver then a razor. The bakelite handle is long thin smooth and red with white swirl patterns. The Kutter is the lightest weighing razor that I own.
Loading A Razor Blade
There is great news about the Kutter and razor blades. Fortunately, the Keen Kutter will accept an injector blade! A Keen Kutter does not have to sit as a display piece! Loading a blade into the Kutter is no different then on a Christy razor. The picture below shows how to load an injector blade correctly into the Keen Kutter.
The Christy does have an advantage in using an injector blade over the Kutter though. The Christy has two nubs located near the back of the base plate. The picture below will show a difference between the Kutter & Christy. The Kutter's base plate is smooth lacking the nubs found on the Christy.
The difference in design has the potential of moving the injector blade back during the shave. The pressure of the top plate seems to hold the injector blade well for shaving. I am not completely sure if the blade won't be pushed back with excessive pressure.
The Keen Kutter Blade Mod
I have decided to create a mod to solve this problem.
You might find creating the mod above is a bit tedious or challenging. It's not difficult and with a bit of patience the mod can be done. I was able to create the Keen Kutter mod in under an hour. With the mod the injector blade will NOT move back with excessive pressure.
The Shave Review
The Keen Kutter performed exactly the same as a late injector model, you pretty much know what you are going to experience. The shave is mild and comfortable as long as the angle is right. Keeping the Kutter's head flat on the skin works extremely well. The Kutter was factory designed with the angle set.
This might be just my own experience, the built in angle makes the shave a bit rough and aggressive. Maybe I need to use the Kutter more? I prefer keeping the Kutter's head flat on the skin.
The Keen Kutter is a mild comfortable shaver. Going ATG on the upper lip was easy. I did get a few slight instances of aggression going XTG and ATG on the neck. I did end up with one cut on the neck going ATG. My concentration and angle might have been off, since this is indeed a mild razor.
I have to stress that I found the Keen Kutter not to be a close shaver. As much as I redid a few passes the Kutter left me with stubble. I did another pass with a Schick I2 type injector and it gave me a BBS. The Kutter is still a good all around shaver, I do have mention that it's not a close shaver.
The Good The Bad & The Summary
I would like to begin with the bad. The Keen Kutter takes proprietary blades, they are also not easy to find. The handle is thin and smooth this might not be to your liking. The Keen Kutter razor variation (in this review) might be slippery in your hands. I must add that I personally did not find this razor to be slippery.
The good, you can use injector blades with the Keen Kutter. The tension of the head on the base plate seems to hold the blade well enough. I will need to test drive the Kutter a few more times. Fortunately, the mod will definitely keep the blade in place no matter the pressure!
The Keen Kutter is an above average shaver, it is mild and comfortable shaver. This is a safety razor that I will definitely use again. Another good note is that the Keen Kutter is easy to find and they sell for a reasonable price.