Reviews
Product summary
Product price
50
Product URL
General thoughts
A great razor! Case refers to the 132 Red Imp as a wedge. I find it to be more accurately described as a near wedge, simply because there is some grinding and hollowing to the blade on both sides, albeit minimal, and likely done simply to aid in honing. Overall, this is a blade that I have long waited to try, and when I had the opportunity to own one, I was not disappointed. A great razor if you can find one in good shape at the right price.
Shaving Smoothness
Outstanding!
Ease of Sharpening
It's a near wedge, and as such, requires a bit of effort to get that edge where you need it to be. Heavier blade means more effort, but nature of the amount of steel that needs to be removed, but Case did a great job of finding that happy medium between the heavy, wedge blade, and hone-able steel.
Lasting Edge
This, wedge blade retains a very keen edge with routine maintenance.
Ease of Maintenance
It is a true straight and requires maintenance. Maintenance has a learning curve. If you are comfortable honing a razor, maintenance is easy. If you are not, it will take some time for you to get it down, and be able to establish and maintain a quality shaving edge.
Value
This is tough to answer. As a vintage razor, you have to weigh condition vs. price. I did not pay anything for this razor as it was a gift. That makes it an outstanding value, but truth be told, in this condition, this blade would be an exceptional value even at the high $80 mark and up.
Quality
Case quality. Making high quality blades in the US for 100 years or so, this company knows tool and blade steel and created a long-lasting product worth holding on to.
Packaging
I can't answer this. I did not receive a box or anything with this blade, so I have no idea what the original manufacturer supplied. I will say that I have purchased Case knives, both vintage and new, and the packaging is always very protective and of good quality. I will assume the same is true of their vintage razors, and provide a mid-range grade.
Comments
Lipripper660 · 04-17-2017, 01:31 AM · in reply to #60
Great review. I had a chance at a good one A year ago and this review makes me wish I'd had pulled the trigger.
BadDad · 04-17-2017, 09:14 PM · in reply to #60
I got lucky and had 2 given to me. This one at the full 5/8 in excellent condition, and one that has been honed down to a 4/8, and will eventually need new scales. I only need one, so the 4/8 has been gifted to a friend, and when the time comes, I will rescale it for him as well. Great razors! Be aware, though, that there are 2 versions of the Red Imp. This one which is a near wedge(132), and another that is full hollow(133, I think, but I'm not sure on the designator for the hollow). I have not shaved with the hollow version, and have no idea how it would compare...