Thread: Henckels Rapide hone and stropping....

Originally Posted by 650Stew

Wow! That thing is wild! Any idea how old it is? I'll be curious to hear how it shaves, personally I'd be terrified to try it! Lol!

I looked it up once, 1850-1900 I think? Not sure.

I may have rushed the honing progression because it was pulling something fierce could be my learning curve with this razor too.

Originally Posted by Johnus

Idea and question. Can you take a standard SE, remove the spine and insert it into the holder??

I'll have to pick up an SE and try it. The blades now are same thickness at the spine as a straight, might work without modification.

Found an article online where someone used a Gem in place of the factory blades. I'll give it a go.

Are these the same Gems they sell at Walgreens and CVS?

I have one of those. When blades are done right, its actually a Very Satisfactory shave! I can zip it along like a safety razor with no worries. not quiet as close a shave as a pure straight, but it was smooth and clean, with no nicks or cuts.
The blades are held in a special fixture, and the strop was separate from the razor. I can get you pictures later today if nobody has beaten me to it by then.

and yes, honing those things by hand is a PITA!

Originally Posted by Johnus

Idea and question. Can you take a standard SE, remove the spine and insert it into the holder??

No, I definitley think not!

ZeroCool, were you able to unscrew the bottom of the handle? I still wonder if the stropper is in there!
Maybe Magpie can post a pic of his and someone might have one. Maybe even make one? Worth a shot.

Sharptonn, I tried but no luck. I have seen them separate before. I'll still hone them up and give it a try again.

Those Gems just scare me lol

Here's why I wonder. First pic is prsumably a complete set. No sign of a stropper, but thick handle with a barrel on the bottom.
2nd pic is another, smaller handle. Perhaps they made them both ways?
Seems I remember seeing one where the stropper attatchment is in the handle. One would unscrew the head from the handle and screw the stropper attachment on. Can you hear a rattle if you shake it?

I tried twisting both ends, shes not budging without a vice and some pliers lol. I'm guessing if it takes that force it won't come out well.

I found an example of the stropper. Both look like they have the same handle size. Idk. I was hoping it was in the handle. Now I have start my hunt for a lone stropping handle.

Here's an image I pulled from that article.

http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/m...s/IMG_2634.jpg

Aha! Now you have a picture. You might make one . I am thinking a piece of steel tubing maybe 1/4 or 5/16. Bought cheap fron an auto parts store. You could cut it out with a dremel and cut-off wheels. Make it too tight and keep widening the slot until the blades slide in and out with some effort. A piece of rubber hose slid over for a handle? Wish you were not so far away. I would give it a go! Good luck on the search. I feel it is something you must have to make it work right. I will keep my eyes peeled as well! Good Luck!