Three Stars, lather catcher style! (Pics!!)

[T Rick]

I'd like to verify years (and model names or nicknames if possible) for these three lovelies recently added to my collection.

Dave already pegged the date of the first (center of three) at 1902 (was on the Badger, linked my auction win there). This one's got brassing and plate loss, came here from Hungary. Still beautiful in my eye! The only visible difference with the cased example I just received (on the left) is the handle and slight difference in the blade retaining spring (plated vs. blued, different bend at termination and small difference inside head of razor). All patent and other markings are identical.













BTW, even though it came with a wedge blade (only 1 ) and stropping handle, I loaded a standard GEM SE blade and it carries it like a champ!

The third razor is quite similar to my 1908 dated GEM Junior Bar (are we calling these 1901's?). Same bar, same patent dates etc. Obviously the other markings are different. Again, info on this one appreciated if able!









Thanks in advance for any info, I hope you enjoy the pics!

[mbwhoosh]

[Possum]

Show off! I sure am glad you decided to show off your razors. Just three beautiful examples of precision shaving implements.

Thanks for the show.

[wchnu]

WOW Razor porn first thing in the morning... WOW is the word for those. Just WOW. It amazes me all the time how these old razors still look like new.

Fuzzy

[napoleon]

You got that lather catcher STAR a few days ago, didn't you

[T Rick]

Nov 14, 2009 12:31:41 GMT -5 napoleon said:

You got that lather catcher STAR a few days ago, didn't you

Guessing you mean the cased one? Yes, it was listed as BIN for $60 I think, also had a "make best offer" button. So I sent an offer of $40, was pleasantly surprised when I spotted "You need to pay for one item" . Ended on 6 Nov. The 1901 (Star Bar?) also came from a few days ago (arrived the same day actually). The first one from Hungary arrived about 3 Nov. I think. I've been on a bit of a buying rampage the last couple months (you should see the huge pile of Gillettes! ).

Haven't shaved with any of these yet, looking forward to it. Planning to do a "Week of shaves with 100 year old razors" in a week or two (or three) and try them all then (currently using a different razor pretty much every day in an effort to sample all I've bought- Obviously, I'm a bit new at this- also trying to stick to similar types in the weeks theme as much as possible to be as consistent as I can, while still allowing some variety and blade sampling too).

[Admin]

super shiny too


the last one is 1915ish i think.

[T Rick]

Thanks Dave! So, the shiny hinged one, approximate year on that one?

And those bar razors (GEM Junior Bar and the Star Bar, etc.), any idea how late they were produced?

[rocketman]

Some mighty fine shaving metal there! Thnx for the show.

[napoleon]

I was thinking of the one shaped like a gem junior. A similar "gem junior" star lather catcher was sold a few days-week ago. Never mind


Here is my star:



Why doesn't a modern SE fit into mine

[specialk]

Great razors and very nice pictures T Rick as is your pic too Ivan.

I love looking at razor porn!

[T Rick]

Nov 16, 2009 13:10:42 GMT -5 napoleon said:

I was thinking of the one shaped like a gem junior. A similar "gem junior" star lather catcher was sold a few days-week ago. Never mind


Here is my star:



Why doesn't a modern SE fit into mine

Beautiful! I'm not sure why it wouldn't fit, what part doesn't fit where? You slid it under the side clips, and released the rear spring from it's catch? Was a dimension not right somewhere?

[napoleon]

The "rests" on which the blade rests on are too shallow to hold the blade. It can easily slip off.

[T Rick]

Bump for Dave, thanks for the info so far! But I'm not sure we've covered the shiny rear hinge one yet, do you know what year it would be (or can you get me close?). I know the center one you pegged as a 1902, and they are VERY similar. The handle is different of course, and the difference in plating vs/ blued and slight difference in configuration of the blade retaining spring makes me feel it's probably a bit later. All markings are the same. Do we know what was the last year of production of this model?

And now a dumb question for everyone... am I mixing my terms here? I've referred to these all as lather catchers. One reply indicates to me I may have that wrong. The two rear hinges, are they what we would consider Lather Catchers (interesting how the term has been coined by our own, I like it!). Or is it a little too "closed up" to be considered one?

As always, thanks in advance for the replies!