Lather Catchers

I was just wondering if anyone else enjoys shaving with these antique (100+ years old) single edge razors, popularly known as Lather Catchers.  I get wonderful shaves from them and they make a great change-up from my usual DE or Injector razor shaves.

 

I've had a couple and didn't enjoy the shaves at all. I was very bummed as I do believe these lather catchers to be some of the loveliest razors ever made.

I've had a couple and didn't enjoy the shaves at all. I was very bummed as I do believe these lather catchers to be some of the loveliest razors ever made.

That's interesting, Brian.  I find them a very different feeling shave but quite good.  In fact, after I decided that straight razor shaving wasn't for me, for a variety of reasons, lather catcher shaves came closest to giving me a straight razor shave.  It is, as I said, a different experience than a DE or Injector SE shave.  As always, what works for one may not work for another.

I do agree with you that I think they are truly beautiful in their look.

Aren't the 1912 and 1914 variations from GEM and Ever-Ready still considered "Lather Catchers" because of their design with the swoop off the back of the blade plate down to where the handle mounts?

I think the 1912's are just regular SE razors - at least to me they are.

I don't have any lather catchers, but I think they're the coolest razors! I used to have one or two but got rid of them in one of my purges. I still shave with a 1912 regularly though and get fantastic shaves from it. Mostly though, I straight razor shave.

I had a few, I believe, but only shaved with 1 that used a wedge blade. it worked fine, though I sold it because I didn't want to have to deal with wedge blades.

let me see if I can find photos of the few I had (all sold now, AFAIK)...I think one of them I even bought from truckman, lol!!

Andrew, many of those, like the EverReady with the wooden handle, should take a regular SE blade. That EverReady is like the one I have and I use modern SE blades in it.

Andrew, many of those, like the EverReady with the wooden handle, should take a regular SE blade.  That EverReady is like the one I have and I use modern SE blades in it.

yeah, I think all of them except the last one used a standard SE blade.

I have at least 7 LCs and use 5 of them. The other 2 I haven't even cleaned yet or even examined to see what make or model they are. I have no idea how many are in storage; a few anyway. LCs aren't my everyday razors, but I do enjoy using them. As already written, they are gorgeous! But I have a buddy who thinks they are butt ugly. He definitely likes the way that they shave though.

Will any given LC take a SE blade? Well, yes and no, and ultimately yes; all LCs will accept a SE blade one way or another. If it has front blade stops it should be able to use one without modification as long as the stops are still functional. These razors are old and the blade stops may be worn out. The others that were designed to only take a wedge blade (or those with worn stops) can be made to take a SE blade without modification. Take a wedge blade and remove the shaving edge. Something like making a shim for a DE razor. BTW, don't destroy a good wedge blade; they aren't made anymore. Instead use a ratty blade that can't be used for shaving. OK, take the wedge blade with the missing shave edge and piggyback a SE blade on top of it. Insert that sandwich where previously only a wedge blade would have been and you're off and running. Why do I mention modifying a LC for use with SE blades and then mention that non need to be modified? I find that even the ones with stops work just a hair better when the "springs" that keep the wedge blade against the razor head are bent up just a bit. That removes the bend that can be placed on the SE blade if they're too tight. To do this DO NOT modify the spring portion itself. Instead the clamping surface that contacts the SE blade might need a tiny amount of adjustment. When I do this I do it with the knowledge that it will never be used with wedge blades again. All of my LCs take SE blades. I don't even piggyback a SE blade on any. I don't want the aggravation, but it can be done quite easily if one chooses to do that.

As far as 1912s and 1914s being called lather catchers... You'd think so wouldn't you? It would make sense, but that's just not the way it is. The ER '14 is called the "little lather catcher" but it's the only razor of it's general design to be called that. The 1912s are never referred to as any type of lather catcher. It might make no sense, but that's the convention. Why are some folks called Robert or Brian? It's just naming. Someone decided to do it that way.

Nice razors Freddy. I don't have a Lather Catcher but I just won a very nice Gem Micromatic OC off Ebay yesterday. I can't wait to use it, gonna pick up some Gem/Personna Stainless Steel blades for it today.

Clayton

I was just wondering if anyone else enjoys shaving with these antique (100+ years old) single edge razors, popularly known as Lather Catchers.  I get wonderful shaves from them and they make a great change-up from my usual DE or Injector razor shaves.