Advice on razors?

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06-02-2009, 12:06 AM
khaos

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Advice on razors?

So I unearthed a few more razors online, anyone know anything about them all? I can't search the forums cus the words are too short or too common, so...
Case- Red Imp
A Witte- Red Wing
McPherson- Frass
06-02-2009, 12:13 AM
khaos

1 Attachment(s)

Also this Black Jack
06-02-2009, 12:15 AM
gugi

here's what the red imp looks like originally
Case, W R and Sons "Red Imp 132" 5/8 - Straight Razor Place Wiki

well, the stmps used to have red paint in them as well, which is no more, but you get the idea.
06-02-2009, 12:16 AM
khaos

So the red imp is a no go? How about the others?
06-02-2009, 05:05 AM
smythe

Nothing wrong with the Red Imp… It s a fine razor… the red color on the tang and the white in the trademark stamp on the scales is a concern only if you are die hard collector, but those missing colors will not affect the fine shave you will get from that baby when properly honed... especially if you have a tough bared.

I think A White was a German manufacturer or distributor good razors but this one appears to have some tarnish (or it’s just the hue in the photo).

Never herd of the Frass but looks pretty good, nice etching, maybe a collectors item. I will bet good money it will be a great shaver too.

From what I herd the Black Jack is also a fine razor, looks to be in the best condition of the 4, that one is defiantly a keeper.

Just keep in mind what you want to with those razors... collect or shave, that will affect your decisions when spending your money.
06-02-2009, 08:57 AM
Joeman

Quote:

Originally Posted by smythe

Nothing wrong with the Red Imp… It s a fine razor… the red color on the tang and the white in the trademark stamp on the scales is a concern only if you are die hard collector, but those missing colors will not affect the fine shave you will get from that baby when properly honed... especially if you have a tough bared.

I think A White was a German manufacturer or distributor good razors but this one appears to have some tarnish (or it’s just the hue in the photo).

Never herd of the Frass but looks pretty good, nice etching, maybe a collectors item. I will bet good money it will be a great shaver too.

From what I herd the Black Jack is also a fine razor, looks to be in the best condition of the 4, that one is defiantly a keeper.

Just keep in mind what you want to with those razors... collect or shave, that will affect your decisions when spending your money.

+1, just recently obtained a Red Imp from a fellow member here and really enjoy the shave it provides, fantastic razor that can usually be had at a reasonable price.

Joe
06-02-2009, 09:06 AM
fccexpert

One caution on the Red Imp; These razors are notorious for having a spike point that will get you if you are not very careful how you use them. They are great shavers, but they demand respect.
06-02-2009, 01:21 PM
khaos

Okay, can anyone provide more info about the A Witte and the Black Jack? My beard is not tough at all, so I may try the Red Imp, but I'm not a big fan of "getting myself with the spike" :eek: The Frass is out of my price range and they won't bargain.
06-02-2009, 02:38 PM
gssixgun

A. Witte was known for their "Gold Bug" razors which I am holding right now deciding where to start the restore at...:)

I am not that sure about their other razor but the brand is a good one....

The "Black Jacks" are also nice shavers...

The Case of course is a "CASE"

and I have never seen the other....
06-02-2009, 02:46 PM
khaos

I like the look of the black jack. If Glenn says its good, it most likely is. The red wing as well, but my second choice. Both are spikes and I had vowed to get another round next, but the price is right and I kinda like their scales so... The other two I'm not so sure about. Price isn't where I'd like it to be for those razors/my sentiment. Thanks to Smythe for reminding me to consider collectability/use/sentiment etc in decision making.
06-02-2009, 06:28 PM
fritz

Quote:

Originally Posted by fccexpert

One caution on the Red Imp; These razors are notorious for having a spike point that will get you if you are not very careful how you use them. They are great shavers, but they demand respect.

I bought my first str8 from my barber back around 1960. It's a Hess with a spike point, and when he honed it for me he suggested that I should let him draw the point down the hone a couple of times to chamfer it. This is what most barbers did with their spike points, and rounding off the point just a little has made a lot of difference in not having it dig in and leave scratches.
06-02-2009, 07:11 PM
gssixgun

Quote:

Originally Posted by fritz

I bought my first str8 from my barber back around 1960. It's a Hess with a spike point, and when he honed it for me he suggested that I should let him draw the point down the hone a couple of times to chamfer it. This is what most barbers did with their spike points, and rounding off the point just a little has made a lot of difference in not having it dig in and leave scratches.

:eek: Heretic !!!!! Somebody get a rope........................

Commonly referred to as "neutering the spike"
06-02-2009, 07:56 PM
gregs656

I have a Mcpherson, you can see it here, the top one. It took an absolutely stunning edge. A little big for me, though.

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...g?t=1243972451

I would say the edge is as good as those on my favorites, one of those is the Wilkinson at the bottom - and that takes some matching. That one is looking a little sorry for it's self though, and if it's out of your price range it's almost certainly too much.