Thread: Hone/Strop for wedge blades?

Originally Posted by Pithor

I strop my lather catcher wedge blades using a designated strop, in my case a 'Magnus' brand apparatus that came with a seven-day Heljestrand lather catcher set. A very ingenious piece of engineering.

A paddle strop will do just fine, though. With hanging strops there is the risk of cutting/nicking the strop more than with straights. A fabric (or newspaper) stropping is very advisable, as it is for general stropping.

A note of caution:

When honing this type of wedge blade, ALWAYS TAPE THE HOLDER!

The holders are generally made of softer (possibly alloy) material and will wear quite fast on the hones.

Another trick is using a modern GEM blade. I'm not sure, but I think most Kampfe models require a shim; a GEM blade spine will usually do the trick.

For further reading, another rabbit hole.

Enjoy, lather catchers are very fun to use.

Best regards,

Pieter

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Pieter,
I forgot to ask what kind of tape should I use on the stropping handle to hone these wedge blades? thanks!
Cleave

I've never seen what cpool has. Is that a miniature wedge blade inserted into a handle? This is what is called a lather-catcher or is that the nick-name for a DE razor?

Wedge blades are a family or grouping of safety razors that use blades that closely resemble sections of straight razor blades. They are the first safety razors. The first one patented was in France by a company called Rapide, I believe Henckels bought their patent and made their own version of the Rapide, which they later renamed the Wotan. Kampfrie Brothers, Lather Catcher, Alfred Dunhill and many many others produced similar razors.

Originally Posted by cpool

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Pieter,
I forgot to ask what kind of tape should I use on the stropping handle to hone these wedge blades? thanks!
Cleave

Whatever you use for honing razors. Good quality electrical tape works great, but even decent packaging tape will do.

Originally Posted by WILDMAN1

I've never seen what cpool has. Is that a miniature wedge blade inserted into a handle? This is what is called a lather-catcher or is that the nick-name for a DE razor?

WILDMAN1 , look at the first post on the previous page where I included a picture of the razor and the blade. I put the blade in the stropping mechanism which can also be used as a handle extension. Thanks,
Cleave