Thread: Opinions on Razors

I just started looking into straight razor shaving, and found my first razor at the local goodwill. It was 15 dollars and seems to be pretty well maintained. It is a Louise by Kraut and Dohnal made in Germany (although I've learned Kraut and Dohnal is based in Chicago). The blade seems to be stainless steel.

As I said it was my first razor, and I didn't have much success with it. I stitched up a makeshift strop with some leather we had in the basement, and took a round piece of ceramic-like material (probably similar to arkansas in sharpening ability) to sharpen it with. I cleaned up the blade with some rubbing alcohol, and then tried to put an edge on it, but the razor still seems to pull at my whiskers.

Any opinions on Kraut and Dohnal, or more specifically with the Louise (if anyone is familiar with it)?

Then today I purchased another razor at a nearby antique shop for 20 dollars. This one is a little more substantial (5/8ths blade I believe as opposed to the smaller Kraut and Dohnal I purchased), with a heavier blade- I believe it is stainless as well. This one is by Mappin Webb and Company. I can still read the print on the blade:

Mappin Webb & Company
Sheffield
71&72 Corn*ill City
77&78 Oxford Street

I haven't tried shaving with it yet, but the blade does seem sharper than the Kraut and Dohnal just by feel. Any opinions on the Mappin Webb?

Should I have much trouble getting an edge on these razors? And anyone have any idea how much these might be worth is good condition? I don't plan on selling them, but from what I've read online these are decent razor companies.

Welcome to SRP.

Cannot comment on the Kraut and Dohnal, but Mappin & Webb are considered good razors. We have a few and some background information on the company in our database: Search results for "Mappin" - Straight Razor Place Wiki.

As a rule, we do not give price estimates on razors.

I would recommend that you take a look at our beginner's guide (links in signature) to get a better feel for what is feasible when it comes to honing. Quite frankly, I would send the razors out to be professionally honed. Several members offer honing services, availbable via our Classifieds.

Good luck, and keep us posted on your progress.

Regards,
Robin

I don't think stainless steel was invented back when Mappin & Webb were making razors . If your other razor is old , then I doubt it's stainless , either . Why do you think they are stainless ?

Good point Dave, I didn't think of that.

Not sure about the Mappin and Webb- I thought it might be carbon steel, but for the other straight razors I have seen that weren't stainless the finish on this one is excellent. It might just be a good find for all I know. I'm thinking of taking them to a barber to get an opinion.

The Kraut and Dohnal is actually in pretty good condition, but I'm sure it's newer than the Mappin and Webb. I couldn't really guess the age of either of the razors, and there isn't any indication on the razor itself. I thought that the Kraut and Dohnal was stainless just because of the way the steel looks. After I cleaned it up it took on that unpolished stainless steel cutlery look.

I'll look into getting them professionally honed. The Mappin and Webb has a much more substantial blade, but I don't think there is any reason the Kraut and Dohnal shouldn't be able to hold an edge unless it is a poor quality steel.

Thanks for the comments so far.

If you could post some pics it would help . I would guess the Mappin & Webb is at least 100 yrs old . I think it's best to assume that any vintage razor is not stainless unless you know for a fact that it is indeed stainless . I've bought some vintage razors that were (and still are) in excellent condition , that are high carbon steel . The steel used in razors is very high quality , and will not rust as long as it's kept clean and dry .

I looked up Kraut & Dohnal . They were based in Chicago Illinois from 1902 - 1937 . I would think your razor is high carbon steel .

Originally Posted by MantyBlue

.... I thought that the Kraut and Dohnal was stainless just because of the way the steel looks. After I cleaned it up it took on that unpolished stainless steel cutlery look.

Thanks for the comments so far.

Many high carbon steels (e.g. silver steel) will have a bright appearance if kept free of oxidation.