Red Imp razors

I tried searching the forum for Red Imps, but got zero hits, so I'm wondering if there's something wrong. So I decided to post a new thread about a topic that I'm certain has been covered before.

A while ago I picked up a couple of Red Imp 133s - one was a Morris, one was a Case. From what I understand, the one stamped (and presumably sold by) Morris was made in the 30s, and the Case was made 1955-1962, just before they stopped producing straight razors.

They both have fantastic steel and took an edge really well. I've gotten outstanding shaves from both. Neither are in fantastic condition (pitting, etc), but I always prefer the ones with some character. I haven't done a side-by-side shave with them, so I couldn't tell you the difference between the two razors, which is where my question lies:

If any of you have both the Morris and the Case Red Imps (or the Ludo or the G&F), which do you prefer and why?

I seem to remember preferring the Case 133. It may have been a placebo effect, but I found American razors tended to have harder steel, and I like a stiffer full hollow (or a softer heavy grind). This is why American, Swedish, and Japanese full follows are among my favorites (along with the Sheffield heavy grinds).

I've got a Red Imp 133 (Case USA manufacture) arriving tomorrow (if USPS tracking is accurate) so I'll post some pics when it arrives. I've been shaving full time with a Genco Next razor which has a superbly thin full hollow grind and the Imp looked similar. I believe Case bought Genco or something to that effect so the razors could even be the same blank and grind.

I lucked into a NOS Case Red Imp 133 a few years ago. Some guy was cleaning out the estate of a barber supply salesman and was selling the sample razors and such. The seller didn't know what the things were worth at first and the first batch was posted at about the $20 point, which is what I paid for mine. Unfortunately, the later batches turned into a feeding frenzy and the other razors went for $200-300. I also got a couple pairs of barber shears, which have certainly come in handy during the last few months.

The scales on the Red Imp are an issue. I'm not sure what they're made of, but they're beginning to show some distortion. Not quite like cel rot, but I've laid in some bright red acrylester to make replacements when the time comes.

Anyway, the Red Imp is a great razor and holds an edge like a champ.

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Originally Posted by Ecl

The scales on the Red Imp are an issue. I'm not sure what they're made of, but they're beginning to show some distortion. Not quite like cel rot, but I've laid in some bright red acrylester to make replacements when the time comes.

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Yes, I know what you mean. On both of my Red Imps the scales are warped, so I need to be careful closing them. Someday I will need to replace them, I suppose. But even though the scales are cheap material, they definitely give the razor a cool and unique look.

If you do a search you will find many discussions of Red Imps over the years and the talk about Case vs Morris.

So the razor ended up arriving a day later than expected. Very similar to the Genco but I don't think the dimensions are quite the same, however the grind is just as stupendously thin.

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I have both types and I love them both... my only issue is I have a couple of the Imps where the wedge has swollen? or something the tip of the blade will hit it. I have been waiting to send them off and get fixed if possible.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mlvallance

I have both types and I love them both... my only issue is I have a couple of the Imps where the wedge has swollen? or something the tip of the blade will hit it. I have been waiting to send them off and get fixed if possible.

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It's not uncommon†. I have the same problem with an "Otto's Special Wedge #200" (Hess Hair Milk Labs). It's been several years that I'm unable to open it. You have my sympathies.

I also owned both versions of the "Red Imp" -- a Morris Mfg. 6/8, and a Case 5/8. Of the two, I preferred the Case-made, but that was solely because of the grind: the 6/8 was very hollow, while the 5/8 was (IMO) somewhere between half- and quarter-hollow.

†: Man runs into the doctor's office, says "Doctor! I think I'm going crazy!"
Doctor: What seems to be the problem?
Man: I keep hearing "Green, Green Grass of Home"!
Doctor: Oh! That sounds like Tom Jones Syndrome.
Man: Is it uncommon?
Doctor: It's not unusual.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mlvallance

I have both types and I love them both... my only issue is I have a couple of the Imps where the wedge has swollen? or something the tip of the blade will hit it. I have been waiting to send them off and get fixed if possible.

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I think it's more likely that the scales shrank (and the wedge remained the same size). It's a pretty common issue with Imps.

My Case red imp 132 is a great razor, but as mentioned the scales came warped. I was able to steam them and hold in place with small wedges while cooling. Now they are straight and open and close nicely, but the gap at top is a bit wider than the bottom. The wedge sits nicely and isn't even close to hitting the blade. Not perfect, but if you didn't know to look you wouldn't even notice really.

Have several of both and all are great shavers. Doubt one could tell the difference, honed properly, they may have been made at the same factory.

The 132 was the wedge 133 the hollow grind.

Scale shrinkage is one of the first signs of Cell Rot, so keep an eye on it. Sometimes if just sticking, you can file the wedge down with a needle file to clear the tip. Duct tape on the flats will make safe file, or a couple strips of a soda can on both sides of the file will protect the scales enough to file the wedge. Some inexpensive needle file sets have files with safe flats.

If it is stuck in the scales, you will have to unpin or risk chipping the blade.

Case Cutlery and the Case family(s) had long and deep ties in the Cutlery industry, they made and had made cutlery by and for other brands. It was not unusual for a Solingen companies to stamp a razor with one brand for export and stamp their name on the show side or back side for in country sales, a- la Anton Wingen/Double Duck and others.

So, the Case and or Morris/Ludo razors may be one an the same. It would also explain why the 132/133 numbering convention is consistent.

What ever the case, they are great shavers, but if shrinking keep an eye on them or rescale.