Eclipse Red Ring

**Darjeeling Express** · 02-05-2010, 05:23 PM

I am slightly obsessed about this razor. I don't own one and but I think its a beauty. Here's a couple of pics from/courtesy of shm's SOTD. (Thank you shm!) So how does it shave? What would you compare it to. It has an adjustable feature, how aggressive is it at various settings? Compared to what? Must know. Can't sleep.

**Pike** · 02-05-2010, 05:32 PM

I have a NOS one that I have yet to use...did you notice the magnet in the bottom of the handle for picking up blades???

**amishmotorboat** · 02-05-2010, 05:37 PM

I have one on the way, but I'm not sure if it's a red ring or what. I thought the red ring was a special version.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...=STRK:MEWNX:IT

**Loner16** · 02-05-2010, 05:43 PM

I'm somewhat taken with the Eclipse myself.

It's on my short list of "must haves!"

**spinyeel** · 02-06-2010, 12:43 AM

Nice looking razors,to be sure. I find mine to be a good shaver,not a great shaver.

Sort of like a milder version of the discontinued Muhle,"Fatip" R89 Open comb. A nice addition to a razor collection though.

**ambrose** · 02-06-2010, 02:39 AM

I have no clue but it looks nice.

Part of why I use straights is there is nothing closer and more adjustable than maneuvering a bare blade on the face. When well honed it can be sharp as a feather but smoother than any DE blade ive tried. YMMV

**shm** · 02-06-2010, 03:05 AM

I find it to be a nice mild shaver. I would compare it to a Fat Handled Tech, they seem pretty much equal in performance.
Maybe it is the design of the head but the Eclipse dispose of lather really well during shaving, it doesn't clock up and is easy to rinse as well.
I really love the Fat Handled Tech, but I must admit it has got a serious adversary in the Eclipse.

It's not adjustable however - it is a straight forward two-piece razor with, in my opinion, a quite nice design.

**Darjeeling Express** · 02-06-2010, 04:40 AM

Thank you for this feedback. The magnetic tip is an amazing innovation for picking up a slippery blade. As for the "adjustable" feature, the arrow and longitudinal lines in the base of the handle seem to suggest some adjustability. See Rodd's comments here.

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthr...eclipse&page=2

Check out the whole thread actually, and look at the design detail on the blade cap of Cutting Edge's. Incredible.

**shm** · 02-06-2010, 01:00 PM

Originally Posted by Darjeeling Express

Thank you for this feedback. The magnetic tip is an amazing innovation for picking up a slippery blade. As for the "adjustable" feature, the arrow and longitudinal lines in the base of the handle seem to suggest some adjustability. See Rodd's comments here.

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthr...eclipse&page=2

Check out the whole thread actually, and look at the design detail on the blade cap of Cutting Edge's. Incredible.

Thanks for the thread, hadn't noticed that one.

The reason I don't think it is meant to be an adjustable is, that there is nothing to hold the knob in place - it doesn't click.
When fully tightened the blade is arched and when you loosen the head, the blade will "level out" sort of speak, but I still don't think it was meant to be a feature. The blade gap doesn't become that more noticeable before the head becomes too loose to keep the blade firmly in place.
Furthermore when there is nothing to keep the knob secured, there is a risk of it getting more loose during shaving, and I've once shaved with a New that wasn't fully tightened - bad experience.

I'm not saying it can't be done, the thread clearly states it is possible, I'm just not convinced it is a built-in feature, and personally I'm not going to shave with a loose head.

Just out of curiosity I've taken a closer look at a New and a Tech and on both the blade is arched, so you could call them adjustable as well, as you can do the same; loosen the handle a bit and the blade gap will increase and I'm guessing making the razor more aggressive.

**Darjeeling Express** · 02-06-2010, 06:58 PM

Shm, I relying on your analysis. Loose head - full stop. Tightened down, arched blade - good to go. How does the weight compare to say a super speed?

**spinyeel** · 02-06-2010, 07:54 PM

Anyone have the instructions? That would clear things up.

**shm** · 02-07-2010, 02:22 AM

Weight comparison to the Super Speeds I've got (without blade):

Eclipse: 62.1 grams ~ 2.19 ounces
1940's SS: 54.4 grams ~ 1.92 ounces
1957 SS: 58.3 grams ~ 2.06 ounces
1958 SS TV: 57.1 grams ~ 2.01 ounces

It feels heavy and in fact it is the second heaviest razor I've got if I'm not including the adjustable razors.
The Eclipse is just a bit lighter than a British Ball Ended Tech which weighs 62.9 grams ~2.22 ounces.

I like the weight and balance of it.
With a blade in the razor the pivot point is just around where the knurling starts.

Originally Posted by spinyeel

Anyone have the instructions? That would clear things up.

Yes, I would like that too, I might be totally wrong here.
In the other thread I see that Peter123 writes he has an instruction sheet, I've sent him a PM and hope he will share it and maybe clear things up

**Loner16** · 02-07-2010, 04:59 AM

There is an instruction sheet on e-bay right now... here.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Eclipse-red-ring...item4832cc5a8f

If you blow it up, you can read that it is adjustable...

**Pike** · 02-07-2010, 06:51 AM

All this talk has prompted me to give mine a try! I've had it for ten years or more...guess it's time! I will report back!

**shm** · 02-07-2010, 08:13 AM

Originally Posted by Loner16

There is an instruction sheet on e-bay right now... here.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Eclipse-red-ring...item4832cc5a8f

If you blow it up, you can read that it is adjustable...

Wwell, I stand corrected

...but I maintain my point of view; as long as the knob can't be secured I'm not going to shave with it unless it is fully tightened - but that' just me.

Thank you for the info

**Darjeeling Express** · 02-07-2010, 10:32 AM

thank you gentlemen for all of this feedback. We all look forward to Pike's experience.

**rodd** · 02-09-2010, 10:01 AM

I have one, and use it regularly. I use it as an adjustable. It seemed very mild screwed down tight. I noticed the arrow and notches, so now I tighten it down, the unscrew 2 notches for the perfect shave.

**Pike** · 02-09-2010, 10:18 AM

Originally Posted by rodd

I have one, and use it regularly. I use it as an adjustable. It seemed very mild screwed down tight. I noticed the arrow and notches, so now I tighten it down, the unscrew 2 notches for the perfect shave.

I've been meaning to chime in....I finally used mine and did exactly as Rodd did. I found adjusting it any more would allow the blade to "chatter"....not a good thing!

Overall a very nice, comfortable shave. A bit more aggressive than a regular ol' flairtip, but less so than a Redtip. I do like the magnet in the handle!! I hate sliding blades to edge of the sink to pick them up!!

**ozzy_scl** · 03-01-2010, 11:19 AM

I just got a 1918 Combination Set 461B,with what I thought was a Merkur. (from the pictures on the bay), anyway I received the set today, and I discovered it is an eclipse red ring! what a beauty.

I've been looking at it, but I didn't realise it has a adjustable feature, neither about the magnet in the back!!

I'm going to get ther cleaned and I'll post some pictures.

**merwtje** · 03-01-2010, 11:26 AM

Originally Posted by ozzy_scl

I just got a 1918 Combination Set 461B,with what I thought was a Merkur. (from the pictures on the bay), anyway I received the set today, and I discovered it is an eclipse red ring! what a beauty.

I've been looking at it, but I didn't realise it has a adjustable feature, neither about the magnet in the back!!

I'm going to get ther cleaned and I'll post some pictures.

Watch out with cleaning, the red ring is easily washed off