Kampfe Bros razor

[JSan]

I picked this up for 5 bucks and want to start using it in my rotation with my str8's.




I sharpened the wedge on the right and tried it. It seems to be sharp but had alot of burn.
What angle do you hold it at? Any help would be appreciatted.

Jeff

[natchez]

How did you hone it; what stones, or other method? How did you test the blade's sharpness? A lot of burn may just mean not sharp enough for a really good shave and it just needs a return visit to the hones. From the picture I cannot tell if it is hollow ground or a wedge blade. I would suggest a layer of electrical tape when honing. If it is a true wedge it needs to be taped evenly on both sides, to keep the bevel even. If it was mine, I would probably take the rust, or staining(?) off the blade before honing.

Generally, you use these razors at a rather shallow angle to your face.

If your razor has blade stops in the front, it also may just take a regular SE blade as an alternative.

[Teddyboy]

It looks like a Taliban interrogation instrument. Are you sure you want to do this?

[Greyfox]

Looks as if you have one that will take a modern single edge blade. I have one and use it regularly.

[JSan]

Natchez
I did clean it up. It is a hollow. The way i honed it was to slip it in the handle then put one layer of tape on the handle. I did about 20 or 25 circles with some pressure. Did TNT for bevel set and passed. Then I did 5 or 10 more circles and 10 trips with little pressure then 15 with no pressure. I switched to 8K and did 15 with no pressure then I did a pyramid like on str8's. Took the tape off and did 50 laps on a pasted paddle strop. Then 20 laps on a seatbelt webbing then 50 on leather strop. It popped hair on my arm. I think I was using to much pressure and wrong angle not knowing. I have it in my rotation with my 3 str8's so I will give it a try again in a few days.

[MajorBurnz]

It takes some real skill to sharpen these blades (I speak from experience). I've found that they really do well when sharpened on a Japanese Natural using circular strokes, though they could probably be sharpened adequately using other hones as well.

You didn't mention which hones you used, but it you stopped at 8K, even followed by a pasted strop, then perhaps that was the issue. No way of telling, of course.

If it was properly sharpened, then you may be right in that your technique may have been wrong. Try to shave with the head as close to flat against your face as possible, and then adjust the angle based on feel. You need to use 'straight razor techniques' - skin stretching, etc., to get the best shave with a wedge blade.

As has already been pointed out, it looks like your razor will accept modern SE blades. Get some from CVS and give them a go - make sure they're SE blades meant for shaving (not utility blades). They will be sharper and more comfortable than the wedge blade.

The razor should give you a good shave once you've mastered it. It's a bit aggressive, but with proper technique, you'll get a great shave. All the best.

[JSan]

I will try a modern SE blade. I have read that the Kampfe's that have the head that swings open are to old to accept them. Thank You for all the advice.

[MajorBurnz]

I will try a modern SE blade. I have read that the Kampfe's that have the head that swings open are to old to accept them. Thank You for all the advice.

Nope, that's not necessarily the case. If it has the really tiny tabs at the comb end, then it can take modern SE blades. As I said, I've had several Kampfe razors, and only one of them wasn't able to take SE blades. It's hard to tell from your pics, but I believe I've possessed the same model you have, and it worked with modern blades.

[HoosierTrooper]

I've had three Star No.1 sets with that Kampfe Bros razor and sold all three. I just didn't enjoy using them, the whole head assembly is just too big and clunky for lack of a better word. I never used any of the wedge blades, only used modern SE blades in them.