How's this for a find?

[CubReporter]

I hate to be anticlimactic at the start, but pictures will have to come later as I am at work.

BUT

I found a JA Henckels Rapide in its original travel case, with a strop handle and four blades. It's in amazing shape with what looks like a touch of brassing, and I think a gentle polish will really clean it up.

Does anyone else know anything about these? I'm really interested to learn more.

 

[Sledgehammer39]

Congrats, looking forward to seeing the pics!

 

[Merkur25]

That razor sure is puurrrty.....

 

[CubReporter]

Sorry!

And finally, the pictures!

 

[CubReporter]

And two more!

 

[Sled Dog]

That is really cool! Quite the set of teeth!!!

 

[HoosierTrooper]

Did you find that around here?

 

[CubReporter]

Sure did! Got it at Antiques Attic.

 

[Sledgehammer39]

Awesome, it looks wicked aggressive!

 

[Ammoseven]

Whoah man, that thing looks pretty gnarly. I don't think I'd be up for trying one of those in the near future.

 

[HoosierTrooper]

I had a Wester, which is similar to the Henckels, that I used a couple times before selling it to Rocketman. It was a very aggressive razor for sure, as I'm sure this one is. Very nice find!

 

[fcdiscus]

Looks scary as hell!

 

[amishmotorboat]

They are aggressive, but very nice to use.
Also, I believe yours will accept standard single edge blades (it does have the blade stops, right?)
Nice pick-up. Congrats!

 

[CubReporter]

I'm a little hesitant to use it for a couple of reasons — I don't know how to hone or strop a blade, I don't own a strop and I'm with the crowd on here who said it looks pretty gnarly. But it's so freakin' cool! I'll definitely hold on to this as a collectable, though.

I've also got an email out to J.A. Henckels to get a little more history on this razor. As soon as I hear back from them, I'll give an update so we can all learn a little more about this beauty.

 

[HoosierTrooper]

I'm a little hesitant to use it for a couple of reasons — I don't know how to hone or strop a blade, I don't own a strop and I'm with the crowd on here who said it looks pretty gnarly. But it's so freakin' cool! I'll definitely hold on to this as a collectable, though.

I've also got an email out to J.A. Henckels to get a little more history on this razor. As soon as I hear back from them, I'll give an update so we can all learn a little more about this beauty.

Stick an SE blade and give it a shot, I mean, seriously, what's the worst that can happen? Plus, I'm sure you know how to get to University Hospital.

 

[amishmotorboat]

A little scrubbing bubbles and a gem stainless blade is all you need as long as it has the blade stops.
I have a Henckels Wotan, which is very similar to yours but with a thinner head, and have also used another clone of the rapide. They are excellent shavers. Yes, they are a bit more aggressive than other SE's out there, but it is still, after all, a safety razor.

 

[Rob72]

I'm a little hesitant to use it for a couple of reasons — I don't know how to hone or strop a blade, I don't own a strop and I'm with the crowd on here who said it looks pretty gnarly. But it's so freakin' cool! I'll definitely hold on to this as a collectable, though.

I've also got an email out to J.A. Henckels to get a little more history on this razor. As soon as I hear back from them, I'll give an update so we can all learn a little more about this beauty.

The honing part isn't bad- just like a straight. Lay the blade on a hone, and using EXTREMELY LIGHT finger pressure (on the spine) push or circle, fip and repeat.

Any variant of this strop: http://stropper.com/home/stropper_v...=&select2=&select3=&select4=&select5=&select6= will work. You inset the blade int the little metal "V" below the hanger assembly and between the strop sides, and pull back and forth on the strop handles. The mechanism automatically slips the blade from side to side. You can find them on ebay for ~$20-60, depending on maker, condition, etc..

EDIT: Yes, a SE Gem blade will drop right in.

 

[DunEdinRanger]

Great find, Congrats!

 

[CubReporter]

The kind folks at JA Henckels in Germany came back with a quick reply. Here's what they said:

Thank you very much for your mail to my colleagues in the US.

In an old catalogue from the year 1922 we found a razor set similar to yours (see enclosed copy).
This item was a special edition for our subsidiary in the US, TWIN WORKS, located in New York.

Mit freundlichen Gruessen / Kind regards

ZWILLING J.A. Henckels AG

i.A. Bettina Thomas
Archiv / Archive
-Marketing-

The file they sent doesn't have the exact set I have, but it's close.

​

 

[djm]

I'm a little hesitant to use it for a couple of reasons — I don't know how to hone or strop a blade, I don't own a strop and I'm with the crowd on here who said it looks pretty gnarly. But it's so freakin' cool! I'll definitely hold on to this as a collectable, though.

I've also got an email out to J.A. Henckels to get a little more history on this razor. As soon as I hear back from them, I'll give an update so we can all learn a little more about this beauty.

So, have you tried it yet? I have a Rapide that is almost identical, but without the blade stops and with a different handle. I have still found a way to use it with a GEM and it is, along with a lather catcher, the best shave next to a straight that you can get bar none. My advice would be to toss a blade it it and use it (if it does not have stops, PM me...)