|
Post by drumzalot on Jun 2, 2014 12:24:16 GMT -6
The Stoll razor is the latest addition to my single edge stable. Originally I thought that the razor was made by the Wilbert Cutlery Company for Sears. I had figured that maybe the SCS cutout on the comb stood for Stoll Chrome Steel. Thanks to the help of Brian and Tom I found out that this particular razor was made by Kampfe. Apparently, SCS stands for Star Cru-Steel. I wish that I could add more information about the razor's history but what little I do have is purely my own speculation.
I love the design of lather catchers (I jokingly refer to them as piggyback blade razors) so I had to obtain a Stoll. A long while back I ran across one of Brian's reviews for a Kampfe Cru-Steel lather catcher and since then I wanted one. It took a very long time to finally snag one. I was never expecting to score one with just about everything. What is missing is the majority of the blades, the set came with 1 original blade and 5 empty original blade wrappers. I didn't know that this particular razor was packaged with a strop attachment. This was a lucky find since just about everything is included and it's in very good condition including the case.
The Stoll was designed for modern SE blades, the blade mounts similarly to a Kampfe Star 1902. The blade is pushed forward into the blade stops via a latch/tab located behind the razor's head. I find the Stoll's latch/tab a bit easier to use then the Star 1902's and installing the blade is simple. The handle is hollow to accommodate the strop attachment (which I will never use). The handle has good knurling for better grip. The razor is light in weight but not too light as (for example) a Gem Feather Weight.
I paired the Stoll with my favorite Gem Blue Star blade and gave it a test drive. IMO the Stoll is very similar in performance to an Ever-Ready 1914, imagine a mild thinner and more light weight version of the 1914. Incredibly enough I wasn't expecting the Stoll to slip in my hands but it did quite a bit, I had to keep my hands dry. It doesn't help that the razor is a bit more head heavy. Even though the Stoll looks like it can slice your skin off it's actually quite mild. The Stoll provided an easy mild shave without one weeper nor cut. I did have to go over a few areas that needed more passes to achieve a BBS.
In the end I can say that the Stoll is an above average performer but it's not great. It deserves to be a part of everyone's stable. The Stoll might not be the number one razor to reach for but when you do it won't disappoint.
|
|
|
Post by coolbus18 on Jun 2, 2014 12:33:25 GMT -6
Cool find and yeah , those lather catchers, they are really fine looking. The grind pattern on the blade looks so good! Nice knurling too.
|
|
|
Post by mjclark on Jun 2, 2014 13:38:13 GMT -6
What a looker! Nice score my friend
|
|
|
Post by HoosierTrooper on Jun 2, 2014 14:29:38 GMT -6
Just magnificent. The case looks like it's brand new.
|
|
|
Post by PJGH on Jun 2, 2014 14:53:23 GMT -6
That, my friend, is a beauty!
|
|
|
Post by drumzalot on Jun 2, 2014 15:31:50 GMT -6
Thank you all for the compliments. The Stoll razor blade has a thicker spine then a modern Gem SE blade. I noticed that the Stoll blade is quite sharp one of the sharpest vintage blades I have to date seen. When I install the Stoll blade the back (spine) slants upward lifting the blade up. The sharp edge is then pushed downward. This effect looks like the Stoll blade (due to it's thicker spine) simulate a wedge blade. Installing a modern GEM blade does not create this tilted effect. Instead the modern SE blade sits flat on the razor's comb. Here is a scan of one of the Stoll blade wrappers.
|
|
|
Post by mjclark on Jun 2, 2014 16:25:36 GMT -6
Very interesting about the blade. I wonder how differently all our SEs perform with the older thicker blades. And what is the "Superior" razor mentioned on the wrapper? I saw one on ebay uk recently but just thought it was a mislabelled Ever Ready...
|
|
|
Post by drumzalot on Jun 2, 2014 16:46:57 GMT -6
Mj, I have never used any of my vintage blades but I have wondered about this as well. Also, I would have liked to use wedge blades on my Star lather catchers to see what the difference would be. It is unique how the Stoll blade has a thicker round bar running across the spine (to be more specific). Unfortunately, my camera is not the best and I have had no luck taking a blurry free side photo of both razors blades. About the Superior razor here is a link: theoriginalsafetytoo.proboards.com/thread/892/superior-lather-catcher
|
|
norfolkdick
Master Shaver
Captain of the Razor Blades
Posts: 1,601
|
Post by norfolkdick on Jun 3, 2014 0:54:12 GMT -6
Greetings
An absolute delight!
Regards Dick.
|
|
RocketMan
Gem Star
RazorAddict
Welcome To The Sharp Side!
Posts: 4,167
|
Post by RocketMan on Jun 3, 2014 2:14:41 GMT -6
Very,very nice. That is definitely a beaut!
For a fella with a not the best camera you take really good snaps. The razor looks great!
|
|
papabear
Blade King
Looking for one that is just right
Posts: 465
|
Post by papabear on Jun 3, 2014 6:16:19 GMT -6
Very nice. Agree that you pictures are very well done.
|
|
ShadowsDad
Gem Star
None boring shaver!!
"It's not the bow, it's the Indian"
Posts: 4,534
|
Post by ShadowsDad on Jun 3, 2014 13:55:07 GMT -6
Nice razor! No, that doesn't do it justice. Gorgeous razor!
At one time I considered my Kampfe 13 to be hideously aggressive. Then something just changed in me and overnight it went from aggressive to just being a nice shave and not terribly aggressive. I still have no idea what happened.
|
|
|
Post by drumzalot on Jun 3, 2014 14:54:49 GMT -6
Thank you all for the positive commentaries! About the photo quality, my camera is quite old out of every 10 pictures I am lucky if one is good. I have to take a large amount of pictures and weed out those that are blurry, too dark, too bright or have washed out colors. Let's just say that GIMP helps me do tons of adjustments. Here is a better view of the blade vault and the top of the razor.
|
|
|
Post by drumzalot on Jun 3, 2014 15:04:42 GMT -6
Nice razor! No, that doesn't do it justice. Gorgeous razor! At one time I considered my Kampfe 13 to be hideously aggressive. Then something just changed in me and overnight it went from aggressive to just being a nice shave and not terribly aggressive. I still have no idea what happened. Brian, my guess would be that some razors take time to get the angle right or just the hang of. I was not a big fan of the ER 1924 it always left me with weepers galore. It took me almost a year to get my technique with the 1924 down correctly and I now prefer it over the OCMM. I am thinking of trying the Adelene 1909 again since the first time out it was too brutal for me. I see that we can agree that the Stoll falls more towards the mild side of the spectrum. Though the blade sits almost near the edge of the safety bar (teeth) the very small blade gap turns the Stoll into a gentle shaver. Here is another view of the Stoll.
|
|
|
Post by HoosierTrooper on Jun 3, 2014 18:36:26 GMT -6
I used my Improved Stoll this morning, I guess I was inspired by this beauty. Had a very nice, comfortable shave with it.
|
|