Anyone have one? How do you strop and hone this beauty? I'm guessing there's a handle for just this purpose (mine didn't come with).
Maybe just use it on a home then carefully strop?
Thoughts?
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Anyone have one? How do you strop and hone this beauty? I'm guessing there's a handle for just this purpose (mine didn't come with).
Maybe just use it on a home then carefully strop?
Thoughts?
Photos???
Sunbird
Sorry. I'm not at home to get better shots. This is all I have as of now. Razor and 7 blades.
http://img.tapatalk.com/ad3d65e7-eb4c-f833.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/ad3d65e7-eb58-c9e2.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/ad3d65e7-eb62-9a7f.jpg
The blades come out of their sleeves completely when placing into the razor. Kinda like little 1/2 hollow straight razors.
I could be wrong, but it seems (from memory) the handle of the razor unscrews and becomes a honing/stropping handle? Someone will know!
Neat set!
Ohhh that would be smart and helpful! I'll give it a try when I get home. I'll have to soak it first to loosen it up.Quote:
Originally Posted by sharptonn
I thought I remember seeing a handle of sorts somewhere on the web. The case almost looks like it has a spot for it directly under the razor (stackable).
Either way I'll skin these cats :)
I can't remember if the stropper screws into the handle of the Henckels or not. I know on the Heljestrands, the stropper is a seperate piece.
I've never seen one of those in the flesh, but I'll take a wild guess:
. . . Put the blade in its sleeve,
. . . strop it on a piece of flat leather (or tight strop) as though it were a little piece of
. . . a straight razor.
If the thickness of the sleeve (at the base of the blade) is about 1/3 of the width of the blade, that will give you a decent angle at the edge.
Charles
Here's a couple of shots after cleaning the razor and covers. Only cleaned and honed one blade... Seems ok, will give it a test later on today.
Had to hone and strop the blade by hand (pain in the ass).
http://img.tapatalk.com/ad3fbb13-317f-3e93.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/ad3fbb13-318d-4a3b.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/ad3fbb13-3199-46a2.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/ad3fbb13-31a4-a5c6.jpg
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! :D
Idea and question. Can you take a standard SE, remove the spine and insert it into the holder??
I looked it up once, 1850-1900 I think? Not sure.Quote:
Originally Posted by 650Stew
I may have rushed the honing progression because it was pulling something fierce :) could be my learning curve with this razor too.
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by Johnus
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!
No, I definitley think not!Quote:
Originally Posted by Johnus
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?Attachment 102472Attachment 102473
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! :D 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!
Here is the hone handle, and the strop mechanism. The actual leather is missing from this unit, but it would use something akin to a valet autostrop leather. hook one end to the wall or doorknob, and pull the tab back and forth. You can see the little gears that flip the blade over with each motion. I dont know why there is no slot in that box in the photo for a handle. Perhaps there is the proverbial "hidden compartment"? Blade holder for honing is 2 piece, presumably so that when it wears out (you can see how the chrome is worn off mine) you can just replace it. I make believe its a W & B, and put a layer of tape on the "spine" :D
Attachment 102487Attachment 102488Attachment 102489
Here is a take on it I saw on fleabay. Interesting, at least! If you had the stropping handle, I figure you could hone and strop on a hanging strop as in any straight? (not MY strop!) They made handles to strop safety razor blades as well! Attachment 102497
Right on man! That's my project for this weekend! If I can make the part that holds the blade right, I might even be able to find a bolt that would fit a spare DE handle.
I'll try your way first. The wheels are turning :)
Thanks for keeping an eye out!
use caution when stropping on a hanging strop! very easy to scratch the leather with the sharp corners if you hold it a tiny bit off parallel Paddle strops work a little better imho
Quote:
Originally Posted by sharptonn
Is that a current auction? I would bid on that. :gwh:
I think you would be best-served by using the smallest diameter possible. You also might consider brass. In this deal, the holder becomes the spine for all your 7 blades. Something else to consider! I can see taping a blade's edge and evening out the spine before you begin!Quote:
Originally Posted by ZeroCool
But, of course! Good Luck! ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Magpie
Did you ever manage to find a strop/honing handle for this? Has anyone attempted to make their own? I'm hoping that might be possible, since it could well be easier than actually sourcing one.
I found that an old replacable-blade razor is perfect for my Wilkinsons to slide into.
I didn't find one but then again I probably didn't look as hard as I could have.Quote:
Originally Posted by phunni
I ended up selling it since it was just sitting in my razor box neglected. :) she's got a better home now.
Here is a picture of it. A Weck shavette-style razor. The Wilkinson blades slide in tightly. You have to use care getting them in and out, but a friend who gave it to me says they work great. I don't whow the spine width of the Rapide, but the Wilkinson blades have a .10 width spine
Attachment 130815Attachment 130816
I have used a tin stropper from an early lather catcher with good success for honing and stropping on a bench strop. I used the bench / lap top because the ends of the blade cutting edge are so sharp and can cut the leather if your technique falters. The solid strop allows a better feel for the angle and pressure on such a short blade..
~Richard
Blade angle to you face is the most important aspect to a shave with these. Think of the blade itself a a straight and no trouble will occur. they do shave very nicely!
PS, I love these old lather catchers even if the Rapide, Wotan, and Wilkinson were made up to WWII and the Gems, etc. till the late twenties.
I do have a shavette that I no longer use, which would be worth a try. Not convinced the rapide blades will fit but, as I say, worth a try :-)
