First foray into the world of SE

[strop]

So I've been at this wetshaving thing for some time. Brush and soap for >10 years, and DE then straight since joining B&B, but I've always steered away from SE razors. Don't really know why, but today as I was cruising my usual haunt, this just called out to me. Haven't had much time to research it yet, but from the little I know it was either made by, or the precursor to the Kampfe Bros. razor. I assume it's OK to shave with. Do I have the blade in correctly? Doesn't seem to be much holding it in place, or does this take a proprietary blade? I haven't opened the ones that came with it to take a look). I assume the extra gizmo in the case is to hold a blade for stropping.

Thanks for looking and answering my questions.

​

 

[HoosierTrooper]

Dang, Mark I had pretty much given up on ever seeing you in here. Nice razor! The Stoll was made by the Kampfe Bros for the Sears and Roebuck Company. It was made to work with the modern blades, as long as the tab at the back of the blade locks in tight against the blade it should work fine.

The original blades won't have the cutouts on the side or in the center.

 

[Niles]

Congrats on your first SE razor, Mark.

 

[Mick]

Did you shave with it or just play with it

 

[BillC]

Beautiful razor. If you decide SE isn't for you I'd gladly shave with it ;-)

I have a Kampfe Star with similar mechanism, as Tom said the tab in the back should press the blade against the front blade stops to secure the blade. It looks good in the picture

 

[Sled Dog]

Congrats, that set is in really great shape, even has the Stoll blades....pretty nice first SE razor

 

[strop]

I haven't shaved with it yet! Just got it. I know it doesn't make sense, but for some reason I'm more intimidated by this thing than my straights!

I also picked up a NOS GEM in a red plastic case. That looks less intimidating, and I may start with that.

I figured I couldn't really call myself a wetshaver unless I had at least tried one of these!

 

[BillC]

I don't think you'll have any problems with the SEs. The blade isn't bent like a DE so it's easier to understand the real cutting angle with an SE than a DE but the handle to face angle will be different from a DE. With head of the razor flat against your face the blade is also almost flat against your face. Raise the back of the razor a few degrees off your face. A couple passes across your cheeks listening to the sound of whiskers popping and you'll get the hang of it. Only other thing to know is to buy a shaving blade, not a paint scraper blade from the hardware store.

 

[dcobranchi]

Very nice find. Looks brand new. The lather catchers are just loads of fun. Enjoy!

 

[InfernoOrangeSS]

That is one beautiful razor! Congrats on that find!
WOW!

 

[HoosierTrooper]

I haven't shaved with it yet! Just got it. I know it doesn't make sense, but for some reason I'm more intimidated by this thing than my straights!

I also picked up a NOS GEM in a red plastic case. That looks less intimidating, and I may start with that.

I figured I couldn't really call myself a wetshaver unless I had at least tried one of these!

I'm sure you have a friend or two that can patch you up if it inflicts too much damage.

 

[TripleG]

What a great find! What's your opinion of the performance???

 

[strop]

I don't think you'll have any problems with the SEs. The blade isn't bent like a DE so it's easier to understand the real cutting angle with an SE than a DE but the handle to face angle will be different from a DE. With head of the razor flat against your face the blade is also almost flat against your face. Raise the back of the razor a few degrees off your face. A couple passes across your cheeks listening to the sound of whiskers popping and you'll get the hang of it. Only other thing to know is to buy a shaving blade, not a paint scraper blade from the hardware store.

That makes sense. And thanks for the warning about blades. I would have assumed all SE blades were the same. In fact, that is in there is from the container I've had in my tool box for 15 years! I wanted to wait until I wasn't rushed to try it out, so it's a good thing I didn't try it this morning!

Would the NOS GEM blades be good to use? Would the GEM be easier than the Stoll to start with?

 

[HoosierTrooper]

A little guide to blades I put together can be found HERE

Since you've got a lot of experience with a straight I really don't think either one will be much of a challenge to you.

 

[beisler]

Sweeet--Enjoy it

 

[ElliotR]

I am willing to take on the danger and risk of testing it for you!

 

[strop]

Now I understand what all the excitement is about these. I picked up some GEM blades from Walgreen's, though I waited until this weekend to shave with this for the first time since I didn't want to feel rushed. For some reason this thing really intimidated me. Well, that lasted for all of about 2 strokes! Did the usual 3 passes, with no need for touchups. No nicks or weepers. I'm sold!

 

[cpool222]

Welcome to SE addiction Without seeing the picture of the other razor, I'm guessing it is a GEM G-Bar. Put a pic on for us. They shave great... a little less aggressive than a lather-catcher. Now you can try out the other SE razors...STAR, Ever-Ready, DAMASKEENEs, injectors, VALET AutoStrops...

 

[BillC]

Glad your first SE shave went so well. I had the same experience - I looked at the SE razors as strange and a bit frightening curiousities until I shaved with one. Then I wondered why they'd gone away with a shave that great after I shaved with one.

 

[InfernoOrangeSS]

A little guide to blades I put together can be found HERE

Since you've got a lot of experience with a straight I really don't think either one will be much of a challenge to you.

I just have to commend you on that resource! It helped me tremendously when I started SE shaving.