Proud owner of a Star Kampfe Bros. safety razor.

**Floid_Maniac** · 08-08-2012, 03:32 AM

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** · 08-08-2012, 06:47 AM

Originally Posted by 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** · 08-08-2012, 06:58 AM

Originally Posted by Floid_Maniac

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** · 08-08-2012, 10:49 AM

Originally Posted by MacDaddy

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** · 08-08-2012, 01:02 PM

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** · 08-08-2012, 02:18 PM

Originally Posted by 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.

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.

**baidarka** · 06-16-2013, 08:34 AM

Hi,just registered and having been an active shaver for 62 years I find myself drawn to the Star and Kampfe Bros. Razors.I am interested in making a purchase but I find that most of these razors are bereft of any blades and those that do have them look as though thave been badly abused.My question is ,I see Star single edge blades on Ebay for sale and was wondering if these and also modern single edge blades are a SAFE suitable replacement.
I am in the process of restoring some shaving mugs like this one and would love to have a Lather Catcher as an accompanying piece. The photo of the mug can't be resized to fit the sites parameter restrictions.
Your advice will be most welcome.
Regards,
Bruce

**shavefreak** · 06-16-2013, 09:10 AM

This thread is a little old, a new thread might have been a better idea but lhe lather catchers were made for a wedge blade that had to be honed and stropped. The balance of these razors are also not a nice to shave with a newer models and even the early Gillettes. The very last razors in the Kampfe line were called the Star cru steel which would take the single edge blades you are talking about. The later wedge blade models pre cru-steel that have the tight extended double riveted type blade holders like the one at the start of this thread will take modern SE blades just fine and expand up for the older wedge blades.

Originally Posted by baidarka

Hi,just registered and having been an active shaver for 62 years I find myself drawn to the Star and Kampfe Bros. Razors.I am interested in making a purchase but I find that most of these razors are bereft of any blades and those that do have them look as though thave been badly abused.My question is ,I see Star single edge blades on Ebay for sale and was wondering if these and also modern single edge blades are a SAFE suitable replacement.
I am in the process of restoring some shaving mugs like this one and would love to have a Lather Catcher as an accompanying piece. The photo of the mug can't be resized to fit the sites parameter restrictions.
Your advice will be most welcome.
Regards,
Bruce

**Galhatz** · 06-16-2013, 11:14 AM

I need to clean up mine and take it for a spin.

**ERVARGASNY** · 06-16-2013, 10:30 PM

Wow Very Nice and its in great shape, Congrats

**MacDaddy** · 06-18-2013, 02:05 PM

Originally Posted by baidarka

My question is ,I see Star single edge blades on Ebay for sale and was wondering if these and also modern single edge blades are a SAFE suitable replacement.

Welcome, Bruce! I would steer clear of the older Star blades on eBay -- they won't have weathered the years well, and their edge won't be as easily renewed as a straight's or a wedge blade's would be -- but modern SE blades will work just fine in any of the later Star lathercatchers, as Shavefreak mentioned. You'd be looking for one that's open at the front (just to get you into the right era) and has spring-loaded clips on the sides that keep the blade from sliding side to side and hold it down flat against the blade bed. The other critical thing is that the blade stops on the outside two teeth of the comb are present and correct, otherwise the spring clip at the rear of the blade will push it too far forward.

**baidarka** · Yesterday, 06:58 AM

Thanks MacDaddy,I will move forward with caution........does anyone still make or have a supply of wedge blades or do you just find them ny happen stance?I think I understand the razor parts and nomenclature and will do more study.
I wanted the Lather Catcher for it's uniqueness and also to compliment a mermaid shaving mug made by Apollo in 1885 that i am restoring.
Again thanks for all the comments and guidance.
Regards,
Bruce

**MacDaddy** · Yesterday, 08:50 AM

I don't know of any good modern source for wedge blades, but there are still lots of vintage ones floating around. It'd be pretty much like shopping around for a decent vintage straight, just without any of the concerns with the scales or pivot. Steer clear of anything with chipping or cracking in the edge as it'll be more trouble than it's worth to fix, and watch out for significant amounts of active rust. Beyond that most things can either be overlooked or pretty easily remedied. But unless you're geared up yourself to refurbish and hone, it may just be more than you'd want to take on.

There are other lather catchers out there, too, beyond the Star. And many of them work perfectly well with (and in most cases were designed for) modern SE blades. You can check out the Safety Razor of the Month thread we did on them last year for some nice examples.