Proud owner of a Star Kampfe Bros. safety razor.

[Floid_Maniac]

Hi Porter,

in the meantime I also think that the razor is silver plated. I have seen another one with the same handle like mine but in not so good condition at the frensh ebay. Also the spring is missing. Seems that this one is also silver plated. I got mine from France, too. Probably there existed a separate silver plating line for the french or european market? Possible. Have send you the link as P.M.

Regards, Alexander.

[MacDaddy]

I'll update with what I find going through the Stars I've got later tonight.

Turns out I have two Stars just like yours, Alexander, one in a cased set with two blades and one just loose. They've both got nickel-plated spring clips and the same markings as yours. I'm not sure how I'd overlooked that at all, but you're right. That does appear to be completely normal and probably was a later change since it's only these late-model versions that seem to be that way. The handles on both of mine are like Ignatius's, though, with the three thin knurled rings at the bottom. Too little information to say what the significance of that might be, if any.

[MacDaddy]

in the meantime I also think that the razor is silver plated. I have seen another one with the same handle like mine but in not so good condition at the frensh ebay. Also the spring is missing. Seems that this one is also silver plated. I got mine from France, too. Probably there existed a separate silver plating line for the french or european market? Possible. Have send you the link as P.M.

Hard to say for sure what that's plated in... it looks more like nickel plating to me here. I think those small black splotches on the handle may just be dirt, but I wouldn't put any money on it. Whatever the plating metal is, I think the spring clip may just be tucked down inside the head. You can see at least part of it in the front view photo, and it's plated to match the razor frame.

The Stars seem to have been very popular in France, just judging from the number I see turning up there. It wouldn't surprise me if they were doing some things there that they weren't doing elsewhere if their market was really that much stronger. I would love to find some better information there.

[Floid_Maniac]

Hard to say for sure what that's plated in... it looks more like nickel plating to me here. I think those small black splotches on the handle may just be dirt, but I wouldn't put any money on it. Whatever the plating metal is, I think the spring clip may just be tucked down inside the head. You can see at least part of it in the front view photo, and it's plated to match the razor frame.

The Stars seem to have been very popular in France, just judging from the number I see turning up there. It wouldn't surprise me if they were doing some things there that they weren't doing elsewhere if their market was really that much stronger. I would love to find some better information there.

Indeed, the spring clip is really just tucked down inside. But you are right, I also would not buy it in that condition. Too much rust on the handle which you cannot remove. I quite agree that Kampfe Bros. produced also a special product line (different plating and different handle) for the french market. I have seen that late-version models which got the same handle like my razor, sometimes but also not often, only at the european ebay. The late-version model with the three thin knurled rings at the bottom was sold also in France but today you see it most of the time at the american ebay. I have never seen a late-version Star razor without the three knurled rings at the bottom of the handle at the american ebay.

Seems that I have to get one of those with the knurled rings and nickel plated, too.

[retturn2blades]

Interesting thing about this old razor...its got this big solid looking head with a skinny, hollow, fragile looking handle. Not great balance IMO, but still cool looking. If I had one I'd look for a different handle to shave with.

[Floid_Maniac]

Interesting thing about this old razor...its got this big solid looking head with a skinny, hollow, fragile looking handle. Not great balance IMO, but still cool looking. If I had one I'd look for a different handle to shave with.

Hi Jeff,

indeed, the long two part handle of the Star razor looks fragile but it is not really. The shorter one part handle of the late-version New Model Star razor got a hollow space at the bottom to hold the blade stropper while stopping the blades. 80% of the handle are not hollow. With that model I have the same heavy and solid feeling in my hand as if I am using one of my single edge Ever-Ready or GEM razors.

Regards, Alexander.