Need Help Identifying Kampfe Bros. Razors

[dillon_b12]

I bought a few Kampfe SEs from a local collector yesterday. What's the easiest way to identify what years these were made? Any other information would be great as well.

 

[MacDaddy]

I'm not as up on the minor variations of the later iterations of the Star lather catcher (the second one you've got there) off the top of my head, so I'll leave that one for someone else to grab. But I believe that first one is from right around 1913-1914. It's a crappy little illustration, but I believe it's what's pictured, in a different case setup than the one you have, in this 1914 ad from Collier's Magazine (click through the see it in context and to be able to zoom in further):



I've got one or two just like it myself:

 

[Sled Dog]

Nice Stars!!!
It is hard to see the details in your pics, but I would guess the second one is an early New Model and would date 1900-1903ish

Thanks for sharing, enjoy!!

 

[dillon_b12]

 

[Sled Dog]

Thanks for posting more pictures
I would guess that this Star would have been made between mid 1901 and early 1902
It has the April 30 1901 Patent date, but the European countries the patent is still pending.
Below is a picture of one of my Star razors which shows the European patents in 1901 (Also Apr 30/01)

 

[shavefreak]

This is the model HR-11b and is a later model as all the hinge backs and double tongs are (two tongs together at the rake) but it is on the rare side of the Kampfe line. On a 1-6 rarity scale 6 being the most rare it rates a 4 and values $90 - $125 without a tin. 1902 -1908 ish? later Kampfe's are tough to date.

 

[dillon_b12]

Thanks so much for the info! Are the tins fairly rare? The decoration on mine isn't in great shape, but it opens and closes fine and still has a blade and blade holder inside.

I usually clean up old razors with soap and hot water. Would that be alright on a razor this old?

 

[shavefreak]

Some tins are rarer than others but they are out there. The round early tins and razors are the rare models. Here is a post I did on the first two models ever produced and the tins. http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showth...st-Safety-Razors-Kampfe-pics?highlight=kampfe The rectangular ones can be snagged on ebay when no one is paying attention for cheap and sometimes a whole set will go for a lot...like any razors these days. The orange tin and second model razor in my post was a steal. I just wanted the tin as it is almost perfect and there were no photos on the back of the razor and no one was watching, happy surprise when I received it to be a second model and not mismatched. The original wooden handle one in the original very first red tins is my baby until I get a nicer red tin

Try scrubbing bubbles or Kaboom and a stiff toothbrush, watch the blade holders on the top is all. You can also use silver dip. The yellowing is plate loss and that won't come back.

Thanks so much for the info! Are the tins fairly rare? The decoration on mine isn't in great shape, but it opens and closes fine and still has a blade and blade holder inside.

I usually clean up old razors with soap and hot water. Would that be alright on a razor this old?

 

[dillon_b12]

Try scrubbing bubbles or Kaboom and a stiff toothbrush, watch the blade holders on the top is all. You can also use silver dip. The yellowing is plate loss and that won't come back.

Are these razors silver plated? I'm not famililar with silver dip...

 

[shavefreak]

It is just a safe jewelry cleaner instead of the whole baking soda tin foil deal. After scrubbing bubbles I silver dip for a couple of minutes.

Are these razors silver plated? I'm not famililar with silver dip...