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Post by specialk on Feb 8, 2010 11:12:47 GMT -5
Well, I won some cash in both my Fantasy Football leagues and it was burning a hole in my Paypal account so.... This is an old Henckels Rapide Safety Razor by the J.A.Henckels Twin Works of Germany and it provides a close, smooth shave. The flared, knurled nut on the handle screws downward allowing the wire bail on the back of the head to move away from the wedge shaped blade so it can be removed or replaced under the small tension clamps on the edge. Originally built to take wedge blades but will accept modern SE blades as well.  Includes stropper that has its own fancy handle...  It is marked with the company name, logo and model; "Rapide" on the handle above the cross hatched section.   A original wedge blade which is clearly marked with the company information. Not in the best condition.  This C.V Heljestrand wedge blade and holder were in the case as well. Blade is in pretty bad condition.   |
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Post by wchnu on Feb 8, 2010 11:46:09 GMT -5
That is one sweet razor.. you guys are going to make me break down and buy some of that stuff grrrrrrr damn enablers.  Fuzzy |
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neveready
Stropping Handle
Gem Blue Stars Rule!
Posts: 18
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Post by neveready on Mar 21, 2011 12:24:33 GMT -5
I would really love to get one of these. How does it shave with a modern SE blade? Any good comparisons? Not interested unless it's a good shaver with commercially available disposable blades.
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Post by etoyoc on Mar 21, 2011 21:55:56 GMT -5
It has taken me a year. But I finally have a Rapide. It just came in today and looks just like your set. I will give it a try with its blade tomorrow morning and may have to pop in a Feather SE blade if they will fit and if the Rapide's wedge isn't sharp enough. I just put a fresh feather SE blade in a valet this morning. I am looking forward to this shave!
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Post by rocketman on Mar 21, 2011 22:10:43 GMT -5
It has taken me a year. But I finally have a Rapide. It just came in today and looks just like your set. I will give it a try with its blade tomorrow morning and may have to pop in a Feather SE blade if they will fit and if the Rapide's wedge isn't sharp enough. I just put a fresh feather SE blade in a valet this morning. I am looking forward to this shave! Congrats on your new razor Etoyoc!! Hopefully, within the next year I can post to this thread saying I finally have one too! Look forward to hearing how the shave goes for you. |
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Post by etoyoc on Mar 22, 2011 4:58:01 GMT -5
The Rapide blade was too dull to give a good shave, I will have to see if I can revive it. I really need to get a set of stones.
Anyway, with the Feather SE blade it was superb!
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Post by wchnu on Mar 22, 2011 17:19:39 GMT -5
Good to see ya Justin. Glad you were able to get a good shave outta that razor.
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Post by rocketman on Mar 22, 2011 19:50:02 GMT -5
The Rapide blade was too dull to give a good shave, I will have to see if I can revive it. I really need to get a set of stones. Anyway, with the Feather SE blade it was superb! Glad to hear you enjoyed it. 'Superb' is a great word for describing a shave! I have a Wester razor - graciously sold to me by Hoosier Trooper - it is very much like this Henckel but was made earlier. I have grown to really enjoy this razor by using Ted Pella SEs. I have never given it a whirl with a Feather SE. Never even occurred to me  I am going to give that a shot soon. I am very glad to have followed your thread - I will take inspiration anywhere!!! |
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Post by etoyoc on Mar 23, 2011 4:46:55 GMT -5
I have a Wester razor - graciously sold to me by Hoosier Trooper - it is very much like this Henckel but was made earlier. I have grown to really enjoy this razor by using Ted Pella SEs. I have never given it a whirl with a Feather SE. Never even occurred to me I am going to give that a shot soon. I am very glad to have followed your thread - I will take inspiration anywhere!!! Yeah, I remember you getting that one. I am glad it has worked well for you. You said that yours was an older model. I have been looking all over trying to find information online about these razors and their models/years but have come up with squat. Have you found any information? I spent over an hour last night (off and on while doing some other things) with a Roll's Hone and Swaty hone on a Rapide blade. I was able to shave with the original Rapide blade today; however, it wasn't the smoothest shave. The blade still needs a lot of work and I need to rethink my approach to honing this blade. I wish I could get a hold of an Allegro Model E easily. I pinched a nerve in my shoulder at some point last night and all the honing has my tendinitis flaring up. So no more honing for now. I will be going back to using GEM/feather blades in this for the time being. |
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Post by rocketman on Mar 23, 2011 20:01:26 GMT -5
Etoyoc - I have found out I am not that great with a hone. I have not had a lot of success bringing wedge blades up to snuff. One day I may spend more time researching and learning how to do it properly. I am always keeping my eyes peeled for a good shape Model E - but I rarely see even a bad shape one! I am hoping to get one as well, but I am not convinced that it would truly work that great. Certainly the L really does very little to enhance a DE in my opinion. Also, I have found out very little about the Wester. It is german, and dating to around early-mid 1890s. I don't know how Henckel ended up with such a similar item unless they purchased the rights?? If you have any info I would be glad to hear it. And HOW RUDE OF ME!!!  SpecialK - That is a really gorgeous set!! The razor looks to be almost unused! The plating is terrific. I am sorry I didn't comment - I would have - but I got so cranked up looking at the pictures and then hearing that Etoyoc picked one up I started to mope and just think 'oh poor me' because I don't have one.  Thanx for posting the photos - it is always great to view pics of such wonderful old instruments. That cloth on the case - totally different! Is it just the photo causing that waviness or is that actually the material looking like that?? If it is the material I have never seen such cool material. Especially for something so vintage. Really good. Have you shaved with it yet?? |
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neveready
Stropping Handle
Gem Blue Stars Rule!
Posts: 18
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Post by neveready on Mar 30, 2011 11:45:17 GMT -5
I've got one of these in the mail after a long search. Looking forward to trying it with a modern SE blade.
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Post by rocketman on Mar 30, 2011 22:56:31 GMT -5
Awesome!! Congrats! Be sure to let us know how it shaves for you!
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Post by wchnu on Mar 31, 2011 1:20:39 GMT -5
I've got one of these in the mail after a long search. Looking forward to trying it with a modern SE blade. Always nice to hunt something up after a long chase. Hope it works out good for you. Waiting for the report. Fuzzy |
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Post by rocketman on Apr 1, 2011 23:14:01 GMT -5
SpecialK - does the Heljestrand blade fit into the Henckel??
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I am going to give that a shot soon. I am very glad to have followed your thread - I will take inspiration anywhere!!!
