Project: "Shave with Eight SE hoe razors in a row"

Shave Report # 7 - Louis

Next up: the French Louis razor.
http://i58.tinypic.com/2qjc3s8.jpg


A little bit about it from Waits:
http://i60.tinypic.com/34ijyp5.jpg


There's a lot to like about the Louis razor. It looks, I think, great with the Louis on the head and it also feels very comfortable picking it up.
There is a soft patterned, knurling on the handle which is a bit different as many of these older SE hoe razors sports handles that are either smooth or have grooves in them that extends along the length of the handle. It almost felt like a modern version of this type of razors but in reality it is still about a hundred years old.

http://i62.tinypic.com/28iwxoo.jpg

I was really happy to see that the Kampfe Bros wedge was a perfect fit for it so it appears that this is again one of those heads that will take most of the common wedge blades (the Roger being the only one so far that proved to be a bit picky).

http://i58.tinypic.com/30atkeq.jpg

http://i57.tinypic.com/10rtkrr.jpg

Lathered up some Soap Commander Endurance and picked up Monsieur Louis.

First pass (WTG) really impressed me. It's a rather audible razor and it felt very, very comfortable.
I then remembered that I wanted to see how much I am reviewing the wedge blade in question - and how much is from the actual razor. Off I went to strop the first wedge blade I tried - the REX - and used that for the other half of my face (after having applied some more soap to my face). The result: pretty much the same so I felt good about the fact that I was judging the razor more than the blade.

Second pass(ATG): Used the REX blade for one half of my face and then switched to the Kampfe Bros blade for the other. Similar feel - which, btw, was great.
Still the same audible feedback, razor slides well across my face, the teeth are really well angled so that they help in generating that feeling of comfort.
The one thing that surprised me was that I didn't actually like the handle as much as I thought I would. Sure, it didn't slip at all but I think I have now become conditioned to associated these razors with the more traditional designs so it felt a bit off to me. Yes, now I'm nitpicking.

Finished my second pass and was a good 90% shaved. Some minor stubble on the neck and under the jawline.

I really enjoyed the "Louis" - close shave, comfortable head but maybe, for me, with a handle that made it feel a bit off. Great razor.

http://i59.tinypic.com/wtt2xw.jpg


With only one more razor to go - Le Touriste - the highly subjective and non-scientific rankings stands as per below;

http://i60.tinypic.com/2gw803a.jpg

I have enjoyed this thread. The only razor on your list that I have is the Rapide, however I really like the shaves I get from. It leaves me wondering if this is a difference of preference or if I have a lot better of shaves that I am yet to experience. These razors intrigue me a lot, however they are not that common, probably due to the age of them and lower numbers in manufacturing. I do keep my eye out for them and have quite a few Rapide blades in good condition. I like the rider on your chart. I did not know there were so many different razors like this out there, and you are probably on the tip of the iceberg.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RezDog

I have enjoyed this thread. The only razor on your list that I have is the Rapide, however I really like the shaves I get from. It leaves me wondering if this is a difference of preference or if I have a lot better of shaves that I am yet to experience. These razors intrigue me a lot, however they are not that common, probably due to the age of them and lower numbers in manufacturing. I do keep my eye out for them and have quite a few Rapide blades in good condition. I like the rider on your chart. I did not know there were so many different razors like this out there, and you are probably on the tip of the iceberg.

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Oops...now I feel bad that I've rated it last :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Darkbulb

Oops...now I feel bad that I've rated it last :)

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It's all good. The rider says it all.

Indeed, lots of interesting fun! Curious. Did you determine the blade was sitting properly in the Rapide?

Shave Report #8 - Le Touriste

This morning I had planned to shave with the last of the SE hoe razors - Le Touriste, but unfortunately I ran into a rather unexpected blade issue with this razor.

I loaded the Kampfe Bros blade into it and at first it seemed to fit....

http://i62.tinypic.com/2d6lkpx.jpg

...but I noticed that the blade wasn't fully secured even with the clasp clamping down on it.

Le Touriste also doesn't have any notches on the front of the head to stabilize the blade against so it's all relying upon a firm, secure grip on top of the blade.

I tried the other three honed wedge blades I have lying around and the same thing...there was a bit of a play even with the clasp down.
For a moment I assumed that maybe the clasp/head was broken/misaligned in some way. I remembered I had an original Le Touriste wedge blade in the box and when sliding THAT blade in it magically secured firmly.

Looking closed at the blade I can see that it's a few mm thicker than any of the other wedges I have - you might be able to tell in the photo below (the Le Touriste on the left):
http://i60.tinypic.com/14ihnyh.jpg

So, until I in the future have the Le Touriste blade honed it will unfortunately remain the only untested razor in this little collection which means the results stays the same as they were after the last razor.

I had a great time going through these razors and learned a lot - hopefully some of you found it worthwhile to follow along.

http://i60.tinypic.com/2gw803a.jpg


And that's it.

Indeed fun reading. Nice razors also

I just scored this one:

Attachment 206077

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bayamontate

I just scored this one:

Attachment 206077

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Grats!
I hope you'll put an edge on the blade and try it out :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Darkbulb

Grats!
I hope you'll put an edge on the blade and try it out :)

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I would be surprised if he has not already! ;)