okiwen
SE Super Freak
Posts: 5
|
Post by okiwen on Mar 4, 2012 13:50:32 GMT -6
I found this to be very pleasant. It was smooth and no mishaps. I used a Gem Junior I recently won and cleaned up. Very impressed with the finish.
The most difficult part was finding the blades local. I wasn't going to buy 100 until I tried my first.
I str8 shave and DE, and I will add this to my rotation. I came to work and discussed it with the other guys that I got started on Wet-shaving. I think there will be three more in the bidding for the razors in the near future (dang it).
I would like to find a Lather Catcher for a reasonable purchase but I really don't know what makes a razor a LC as opposed to the others if it doesn't say so in the description.
|
|
|
Post by wchnu on Mar 4, 2012 14:08:55 GMT -6
Great to hear. And awesome points for sharing with the friends. Glad to see you here at TOST.
|
|
ShadowsDad
Gem Star
None boring shaver!!
"It's not the bow, it's the Indian"
Posts: 4,534
|
Post by ShadowsDad on Mar 4, 2012 15:25:14 GMT -6
Yes, they do give a great shave don't they? And there are differences in the shaves between models, some mild and some quite aggressive.
It saddens me to hear that I have more folks to put on the "razor search" list, but I'll get to that. Heck, I'm a volunteer and I can handle it.
What makes a lather catcher... I don't know that I've ever read a definitive answer, but from what I've gathered from word useage...
From the side a non lather catcher looks like the number 7, well sort of. A full LC, from the side again, looks like a letter C and the handle comes down off of the bottom of the C. In action any lather and whiskers gets "caught" by the bottom of the C; hence, "Lather Catcher". BTW, I have no idea how others rinse their razors, but I find I can get most of a full face of lather into a full LC before I need to rinse before shaving near my nose.
The above description would be a full lather catcher. There are also smaller, almost vestigial lather catchers. They still have a (stylized) C shape from the side, well sort of anyway, and the bottom portion has been cut off (angled into the handle) when viewed face to, to better blend into the handle. In my experience, despite this vestigial LC they work almost as good as a full LC. They shave great, but same as with full LCs you'll find differences in aggressiveness and what works for you. There's only one way to find out. I don't think I've ever heard these called lather catchers. But in a description of these razors, as in a review, I've seen the description stating them as being a small, or mini lather catcher.
To prevent competition on finding these I volunteered long ago to be in charge of telling folks when it's their turn to start looking. Just 'cause I'm all about people. Yup, that's me, a people person.
So just wait and I'll let you know when it's your turn, OK?
Other than ruining the competition prevention scam, anyone please jump in and give your take on what a lather catcher is.
Edit: DUHHH! on me. At the home page look slightly down and find the SOTD forum. This is Lather Catcher month. Look at the pics.
Double Duhhh!... Check the reviews in the various razors sections below in the home page. The pictures in each review will show full lather catchers and small lather catchers, some non lather catchers as well. Generally they are pre 1920. I could be wrong there, I'm far from expert.
|
|
|
Post by wchnu on Mar 4, 2012 15:39:07 GMT -6
Generally the lather catchers predate the 1912 pat. Models. They generally use tabs to hold the blade or screws. Not the snap closed or tto of the later models. Someone will come along and make a better description.
In the shave school there is a video that shows how to load a blade on a 1910 Gem Junior. That is most certain a lather catcher.
|
|
jmacak
SE Super Freak
Posts: 26
|
Post by jmacak on Mar 5, 2012 21:01:37 GMT -6
Don't lets forget about the Ever Ready 1914, the little lather catcher.
Where the back part (where the handle attaches) on the 1912s tapers to the point where the handle attaches, the little lather catchers don't have that taper and are nearly as wide as at the top, looking like a little version of a lather catcher.
Sort of an intermediate model between full lather catchers and the more modern Gems and Ever Readys.
|
|
Possum
Master Shaver
Cast Iron Marsupial
Look out you "Fuzzy" wabbit!
Posts: 1,274
|
Post by Possum on Mar 6, 2012 8:43:30 GMT -6
Here are some pix of my '07 GEM Jr LC. This should give you a good idea of what the head of a LC is like. There are many different kinds of handles and other head styles but these pix will give you a good general idea of what a LC is. Click on the pix to make it larger. Attachments:
|
|
|
Post by johna2231 on Mar 6, 2012 9:20:57 GMT -6
Welcome! I have all three real razors in my rotation too: straight, SE and DE. Good stuff.
Possum! That's a beaut!
John
|
|
RocketMan
Gem Star
RazorAddict
Welcome To The Sharp Side!
Posts: 4,167
|
Post by RocketMan on Mar 6, 2012 9:42:03 GMT -6
Good pics to show an LC Possum.
ShadowDads description works well while looking at the side profile.
From the side a non lather catcher looks like the number 7, well sort of. A full LC, from the side again, looks like a letter C and the handle comes down off of the bottom of the C. In action any lather and whiskers gets "caught" by the bottom of the C; hence, "Lather Catcher".
The letter C or 7 shape was a somewhat later design as the first LCs viewed from the side would look like a box. The shape evolved right around the early 1900s when GEM designed a simpler frame that did not require side posts. The GEM that Possum presents is pretty much the early rendition of that design - the classic Letter C (LC - cool!).
Yeah - Lather Catcher!!
It would seem the Kampfe brothers can be blamed for the Lather Catcher design as it was implemented in their very first razor patent in 1800.
The 'catcher' was an integral part of this first razor and was for the purpose as described in the patent:
The sharp edge of the razor rests against the grated or toothed edge of the front plate, and as the hair and soap are removed in the operation of shaving such refuse matter will be forced through the opening in the bottom plate and be retained within the hollow holder, thereby permitting of the use of the device without danger of soiling of the fingers of the user.
The 1914 is indeed a lather cather - in has a catch cup integrated into it. There is some speculation that the 1914 was designed to bring on board the 'old school' shavers who didn't want to drop the lather catcher idea entirely - they didn't want to soil their fingers! So, the 1914 was a half-way point for the unconverted, bringing them on the road to the 'modern' way to shave.
VIVA LA REVOLUTION!!!!
|
|
ShadowsDad
Gem Star
None boring shaver!!
"It's not the bow, it's the Indian"
Posts: 4,534
|
Post by ShadowsDad on Mar 6, 2012 17:08:46 GMT -6
Don't forget the 1912s, they are just as much a small LC as the '14 IMO. I never heard them referred to as such though.
But whatever, small LC or full LC, they shave fantastically. All except for the Kampfe I have. It's a beast that I have yet to fully tame.
|
|
|
Post by wchnu on Mar 6, 2012 17:28:13 GMT -6
Don't forget the 1912s, they are just as much a small LC as the '14 IMO. I never heard them referred to as such though. But whatever, small LC or full LC, they shave fantastically. All except for the Kampfe I have. It's a beast that I have yet to fully tame. The 1912's dont have the curved cup to catch the lather. Still an incredable shave though.
|
|
ShadowsDad
Gem Star
None boring shaver!!
"It's not the bow, it's the Indian"
Posts: 4,534
|
Post by ShadowsDad on Mar 6, 2012 21:13:53 GMT -6
Yes, but they have the same shape as viewed from the side.
I assumed it was to have the mind link to being a LC. Otherwise there is no reason for the basic shape. Might as well get rid of the vestigial "C" shape and just have only the head as seen in later designs.
No? Yes?
|
|
|
Post by wchnu on Mar 7, 2012 20:06:04 GMT -6
Yes, but they have the same shape as viewed from the side. I assumed it was to have the mind link to being a LC. Otherwise there is no reason for the basic shape. Might as well get rid of the vestigial "C" shape and just have only the head as seen in later designs. No? Yes? They have a similar shape.. but the 1912 is the evlotion of the lather catcher to me. It also shaves different. I do not consider it as a lather catcher. That is for the older models. But that is just how I see it.. YMMV.
|
|