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

Shave report #4 - Rapide



After the no-go with the Roger I decided to take a gamble on the only German razor in the lot - the Rapide.

I did a bit of stropping - about 25 or so - and loaded the blade into the Rapide and it fit perfectly.



Loaded with the blade:


The Rapide has a visually rather intimidating 'grill' under the razor but during the shave it worked really well as sort of a lather catcher which I assume was the intent of the design.

Lathered up some i Coloniali Mango (apart from that I love this soap in general I've also found it to be really slick which helps with these shaves) and went to work.

Even though these razors all have a lot in common design wise I've also come to realize in a short amount of time that they are still very different beasts to actually shave with.
The Rapide has a much longer and skinnier handle than the L'Essor and Tip Top that I've shaved with so far and as I started my first pass (WTG) that made it self apparent in that the blade 'vibrated' more than with the other razors. I assume it's due to the pole-like structure and it did make the razor feel a bit less 'solid' when shaving and my strokes were a bit more choppy. I tried adjusting my grip to be closer to the head but that only made a small difference.

I re-lathered and went for the second pass (ATG). Exactly the same impressions as from the first pass - a bit more wobbly and choppy. If I wasn't comparing this razor to others in this way - w/in a very short timeframe - I don't think I would had noticed it much but as it was the difference was very noticeable.

I ended the second pass and even though I wasn't completely smooth it was still a very passable shave (well, I hope so as I have a thing downtown tonight)

Of the three razors (not counting the Roger of course) I'd say it was the one I favored the least but it was by no means a bad razor - just not as, subjectively, good.

On to the remaining four....

That one looks like you loosen the two little screws so the blade will slide down more. Tighten them and it gets higher?
Seems adjustable in a way. Have you experimented with that any?

Originally Posted by sharptonn

That one looks like you loosen the two little screws so the blade will slide down more. Tighten them and it gets higher?
Seems adjustable in a way. Have you experimented with that any?

Hmm...I haven't but now you are going to have me to do that tonight

I have one similar, made in Germany from the Exclusive Cutlery Shop in San Francisco. It has a different setup and blade stops at the cutting edge. I suppose no adjusting on this one. Handle seems much more substantial. I presume it was made by Henckels for them.
Who knows how many variations were made?

Originally Posted by sharptonn

I have one similar, made in Germany from the Exclusive Cutlery Shop in San Francisco. It has a different setup and blade stops at the cutting edge. I suppose no adjusting on this one. Handle seems much more substantial. I presume it was made by Henckels for them.
Who knows how many variations were made?

Very nice - you should take it for a spin

I will someday. Just a challenge to hone the blades. Bayamontate has given me some instructions.
If I can get another Rolls blade to shave like he did, I will be in. An advantage to this one is, like my Everite, a handle is provided for honing and stropping. Should be pretty easy, although it surely needs lots of cleaning!

Originally Posted by sharptonn

I will someday. Just a challenge to hone the blades. Bayamontate has given me some instructions.
If I can get another Rolls blade to shave like he did, I will be in. An advantage to this one is, like my Everite, a handle is provided for honing and stropping. Should be pretty easy, although it surely needs lots of cleaning!

You might be able to use a modern SE blade in it as well. Not sure though. But my L'Essor takes a modern blade just fine for instance.

Originally Posted by Darkbulb

Hmm...I haven't but now you are going to have me to do that tonight

In looking at the Rapide with the Roger blade, make certain there are not 'blade stops' in the corners. It almost looks like the blade is a bit to big and is sitting upon the blade stops instead of against them. If so, that may make it seem unstable?

Originally Posted by sharptonn

In looking at the Rapide with the Roger blade, make certain there are not 'blade stops' in the corners. It almost looks like the blade is a bit to big and is sitting upon the blade stops instead of against them. If so, that may make it seem unstable?

Great observation - I will take a look when get home late tonight