Thread: Custom wedge blades for lather catchers

Originally Posted by DZEC

I think there are a lot of us waiting anxiously to see how this turns out. Amazing no one has thought to create contemporary versions of these blades until now.

Part of the reason is probably that it is decidedly unsexy. I mean it's just a sharpened wedge. No body, no scales. And do not underestimate the fact that the complete lack of tang etc makes the process annoying. I think a temporary nub on the side for holding it will be necessary

I have never made a blade or engaged in any kind of metal fabrication, so I speak from complete ignorance of the processes involved, but would it be feasible to forge one long blade from which individual blades can be extracted?

Unsexy for sure and little room to make your own style. Half the length of a standard straight but in some ways very much more restrictive than a custom straight. If I try to make a custom 8/8 and I make a mistake then end up with a 7/8 unless I tell you you won't know. With these to narrow won't work.

Just throwing out some numbers for thought but $400 USD for a custom razor would be cheap in my mind. Nothing special in the steel or scale material. Say the blade is worth 3/4 of that for sake of argument. Take that blade in half and you have $150. Not a whole lot of money if any for the maker at these prices.

I searched a little and these razors are say $40 and 7 day set in a box $150. I can't see much of a market for $150 dollar blades. Especially when a standard SE will at least work.

With that being said as a hobbyist I would be interested in the exact dimensions to make one for the sake of saying I did.

I think that someone must have make modern versions of these for themselves and fun but I don't see a market to support a reason to do it if profit is the point

This is very interesting indeed.

Originally Posted by 32t

Unsexy for sure and little room to make your own style. Half the length of a standard straight but in some ways very much more restrictive than a custom straight. If I try to make a custom 8/8 and I make a mistake then end up with a 7/8 unless I tell you you won't know. With these to narrow won't work.

Just throwing out some numbers for thought but $400 USD for a custom razor would be cheap in my mind. Nothing special in the steel or scale material. Say the blade is worth 3/4 of that for sake of argument. Take that blade in half and you have $150. Not a whole lot of money if any for the maker at these prices.

I searched a little and these razors are say $40 and 7 day set in a box $150. I can't see much of a market for $150 dollar blades. Especially when a standard SE will at least work.

With that being said as a hobbyist I would be interested in the exact dimensions to make one for the sake of saying I did.

I think that someone must have make modern versions of these for themselves and fun but I don't see a market to support a reason to do it if profit is the point

You're pretty spot on with regards to how much these razors cost, although I've seen an uptick in prices as of late, eBay bidding is a frenzy.

I just picked up two sets for a ridiculously cheap price from a seller overseas and each comes with a multitude of blades which leaves me in an interesting position as I started this thread in need of blades and now I no longer need any (I might even sell a few to those who need them).

My original plan was to have Bruno make one blade and assuming all goes well, I'd be more than happy to have him make me several but since I no longer need blades, I'm not sure if it's worth the trouble to make just one, especially without compensation for the hard work.

I'd be really interested to see someone take a stab at recreating these wedge blades (even if just one). Sexy? No. But I'd still love to see a modern blade to fit these SE handles... Especially because in the past I have painstakingly restored several of these wedge blades and I've still never gotten a good shave off of one. It would be interesting to see if a modern edge by one of the skilled bladesmiths here would provide a better shave overall. Something like making and grinding one of these wedge blades is far beyond my skill level, but I've been able to get existing ones in fair condition to a sharpness I call "shave ready" and still leaves me wanting.

On a separate note, it really makes one appreciate how much time and skill had to go in to creating each of these little guys. Especially the the items like the common 7 day sets had to involve some very serious work!

Originally Posted by Butzy

I'd be really interested to see someone take a stab at recreating these wedge blades (even if just one). Sexy? No. But I'd still love to see a modern blade to fit these SE handles... Especially because in the past I have painstakingly restored several of these wedge blades and I've still never gotten a good shave off of one. It would be interesting to see if a modern edge by one of the skilled bladesmiths here would provide a better shave overall. Something like making and grinding one of these wedge blades is far beyond my skill level, but I've been able to get existing ones in fair condition to a sharpness I call "shave ready" and still leaves me wanting.

On a separate note, it really makes one appreciate how much time and skill had to go in to creating each of these little guys. Especially the the items like the common 7 day sets had to involve some very serious work!

I hear you, I'd also like to see a modern recreation of the blade. I'll touch base with Bruno and see if we shall proceed.

I'm surprised to hear that you haven't gotten a good shave with the old blades. A few have told me that the Heljestrand blades or the Solingen blades that come with the Rapide, for example, are some of the best razor steel ever produced back then.

It definitely makes you appreciate the craftsmanship that was commonplace back then.

Originally Posted by markbignosekelly

Can't believe no one has done this before!

Yeah, I've wondered how a replacement SE or frameback blade would turn out but figured it was cost prohibitive or there was no demand for it since you don't hear about it. I'm not familiar with lather catchers, but thought the Rolls razor blades looked like they could be reproduced.

Originally Posted by JP5

Yeah, I've wondered how a replacement SE or frameback blade would turn out but figured it was cost prohibitive or there was no demand for it since you don't hear about it. I'm not familiar with lather catchers, but thought the Rolls razor blades looked like they could be reproduced.

There is definitely demand for these. There's a whole forum dedicated to lather catcher razors and vintage SE razors, most which take wedge blades. I know one guy who requested 7 blades after I told him I was having someone make me one.

I think the biggest issue is cost, hence why no one has really mass produced these. And vintage SE wedge razors are a niche within a niche.

I'll have to keep an eye out for one of these lather catchers.