Here’s my report on my first shave with my Kampfe Star New Model -
First, I loaded up with a modern Gem PTFE. I used a blade that had about five or six shaves on it. After reading about how aggressive this type of razor can shave, I thought it might help to use a blade with some of the keenness removed.
I lathered up with a tallow based shave soap (Cella) to provide as much cushion as possible.
I’ll use my sixty’s era Gillette Super Speed as a baseline since to me it provides the easiest and smoothest shave I can get from a “vintage” safety razor. On a scale of 0-10, 0 being least aggressive and 10 most, I find the Super Speed in the zero to one range. A Heljestrand lather catcher and a Henckels Rapide with stropped wedge blades are about five to six in aggressiveness. The Star New Model, to me, on a first shave, was in the seven to eight range for aggressiveness.
I found the Star to be very “technique-y” and had to keep changing angles to find the optimum shave angle. I’m not sure if I did. I did not cut myself, but did end up with a couple of slow weepers. And, as I’m typing this I can still feel irritation two hours after shaving, something I’m not used to experiencing with the Super Speed, nor even with a straight razor. I did get a fairly close shave, but at a price. The “Aftershave Test” was a strong positive, even with Witch Hazel, which is normally soothing.
So, my final verdict? I’m not ready to give one as far as performance. I’d still like to try wedge blades, and maybe a little more practice with maybe a fresh PTFE. But the Star LC definitely demands some respect. As far as it’s history and design, it’s a wonderful piece, and I’m happy to own one if for no other reason than to have it in my collection. Whether or not I continue to use it for shaving is yet to be determined.
Great shave report. I'd like to see a picture from the back and the side with the PTFE loaded. I'm curious if the blade sits similar to the way mine do or not.
