JA Henckels Rapide Razor

[Dave in KY]

Tuesday May 25, 2021
Razor: JA Henckels Rapide
Blade: Gem (1)
Brush: Mr.EE LE
Soap: Baron's Choice 1508.5 Project
AS 1: Humphrey's Alcoholado Maravilla 70
AS 2: Skin Bracer
Fragrance: N/A
Consecutive Daily Shaves - # 930
   
   
The German Rapide was invented by a man called Scharff in 1894 and when his US Patent expired in 1911 the razor mechanism became very popular and was copied and reproduced by many other Manufacture's including, Henckels, Wester Brothers, Solingen and many others.....

The Rapide was designed to use a Single Wedge Blade...Some of the Rapide variation's will take a Modern SE Blade easier than others. Some of the Rapide Variants have somewhat small and delicate blade stops that will not hold a Modern Blade so easily. The original Wedge Blade that was originally intended for the Rapide are literally Wedged into place and the blade stops only provide a minor and secondary function in securing the wedge blade. My JA Henckels Rapide does accept a Modern Gem blade.

1892 — German Patent for the Rapide safety razor
Patent: DE64903
Invention: Sicherheitsrasirmesser
Filed: Saturday, 19th December 1891
Published: Thursday, 13th October 1892
Inventor: Ernst Scharff
Language: German

     
So for the 1st shave this morning I started with the Wedge that appeared sharp enough to shave.........wrong. Sharp enough to cut you and FEEL sharp but tuggy to shave with and will need honing to use. I did the right side of my face with the wedge before seeing it wasn't removing whiskers well enough. Easy swap to a Gem blade and the shave was on in earnest. This is an aggressive razor but smooth. Just need respect and a light to no pressure approach but you will be rewarded with an EXTREMELY close shave. I love the look and history of this thing as well as the Henckel branding. Glad to have it in the den. Will do a video on it eventually as I have the goal to use on video each of my vintage razors to document them going forward. Hope all have a splendid day !!
   
   

[bcshaves]

Tuesday May 25, 2021
Razor: JA Henckels Rapide
Blade: Gem (1)
Brush: Mr.EE LE
Soap: Baron's Choice 1508.5 Project
AS 1: Humphrey's Alcoholado Maravilla 70
AS 2: Skin Bracer
Fragrance: N/A
Consecutive Daily Shaves - # 930


The German Rapide was invented by a man called Scharff in 1894 and when his US Patent expired in 1911 the razor mechanism became very popular and was copied and reproduced by many other Manufacture's including, Henckels, Wester Brothers, Solingen and many others.....

The Rapide was designed to use a Single Wedge Blade...Some of the Rapide variation's will take a Modern SE Blade easier than others. Some of the Rapide Variants have somewhat small and delicate blade stops that will not hold a Modern Blade so easily. The original Wedge Blade that was originally intended for the Rapide are literally Wedged into place and the blade stops only provide a minor and secondary function in securing the wedge blade. My JA Henckels Rapide does accept a Modern Gem blade.

1892 — German Patent for the Rapide safety razor
Patent: DE64903
Invention: Sicherheitsrasirmesser
Filed: Saturday, 19th December 1891
Published: Thursday, 13th October 1892
Inventor: Ernst Scharff
Language: German

 
So for the 1st shave this morning I started with the Wedge that appeared sharp enough to shave.........wrong. Sharp enough to cut you and FEEL sharp but tuggy to shave with and will need honing to use. I did the right side of my face with the wedge before seeing it wasn't removing whiskers well enough. Easy swap to a Gem blade and the shave was on in earnest. This is an aggressive razor but smooth. Just need respect and a light to no pressure approach but you will be rewarded with an EXTREMELY close shave. I love the look and history of this thing as well as the Henckel branding. Glad to have it in the den. Will do a video on it eventually as I have the goal to use on video each of my vintage razors to document them going forward. Hope all have a splendid day !!

Fine looking razor! I saw one on ebay but these tend to be expensive!

[GAW9576]

The Henckels Rapide Razor is a phenomenal shaver. Congratulations.

[Jayaruh]

twhite was responsible for putting me onto the Henckels Rapide. I had two at one time but decided I did not have to be hoarding these fine razors, so I sold one to share the joy. Congratulations.

[GAW9576]

twhite was responsible for putting me onto the Henckels Rapide. I had two at one time but decided I did not have to be hoarding these fine razors, so I sold one to share the joy. Congratulations.

And I'm very glad you shared the joy my friend.

[Dave in KY]

Tuesday August 3, 2021
Razor: J A Henckels Rapide
Blade: Gem SS (?)
Brush: Graydog Quilt
Soap: Talbot Cades Cove
AS 1: Humphrey's Alcoholado Maravilla 70
AS 2: MAOL Cades Cove
Fragrance: Penhaligon's Opus 1870
Consecutive Daily Shaves - # 1000

Shave #1000 without missing a shave. As I stated before I believe I am MUCH further than that, but this is what I could state that was documented. As a daily shaver it will go up for sure and is just a marker. Next marker would be the 3 year mark of @1095 I guess (not sure if there is a leap year involved. GREAT shave with the products and tools selected. Have a Stellar day Folks !!!

   

[GAW9576]

Tuesday August 3, 2021
Razor: J A Henckels Rapide
Blade: Gem SS (?)
Brush: Graydog Quilt
Soap: Talbot Cades Cove
AS 1: Humphrey's Alcoholado Maravilla 70
AS 2: MAOL Cades Cove
Fragrance: Penhaligon's Opus 1870
Consecutive Daily Shaves - # 1000

Shave #1000 without missing a shave. As I stated before I believe I am MUCH further than that, but this is what I could state that was documented. As a daily shaver it will go up for sure and is just a marker. Next marker would be the 3 year mark of @1095 I guess (not sure if there is a leap year involved. GREAT shave with the products and tools selected. Have a Stellar day Folks !!!

Fantastic gear there. I like the Graydog brush. I'm lucky enough to have 3 but no quilts. He does amazing work.
I just haven't been able to shave every day. I don't know what that would do to my skin. It seems like when I do several days in a row no matter how good they go after a few days the shave will just be rough.

[Dave in KY]

Tuesday August 3, 2021
Razor: J A Henckels Rapide
Blade: Gem SS (?)
Brush: Graydog Quilt
Soap: Talbot Cades Cove
AS 1: Humphrey's Alcoholado Maravilla 70
AS 2: MAOL Cades Cove
Fragrance: Penhaligon's Opus 1870
Consecutive Daily Shaves - # 1000

Shave #1000 without missing a shave. As I stated before I believe I am MUCH further than that, but this is what I could state that was documented. As a daily shaver it will go up for sure and is just a marker. Next marker would be the 3 year mark of @1095 I guess (not sure if there is a leap year involved. GREAT shave with the products and tools selected. Have a Stellar day Folks !!!

Fantastic gear there. I like the Graydog brush. I'm lucky enough to have 3 but no quilts. He does amazing work.
I just haven't been able to shave every day. I don't know what that would do to my skin. It seems like when I do several days in a row no matter how good they go after a few days the shave will just be rough.

Thanks, I'm not sure how many I've had of Graydogs but have gifted some to others that had none and I'm down to 3 now. Steve does beautiful work.

[Jayaruh]

Tuesday August 3, 2021
Razor: J A Henckels Rapide
Blade: Gem SS (?)
Brush: Graydog Quilt
Soap: Talbot Cades Cove
AS 1: Humphrey's Alcoholado Maravilla 70
AS 2: MAOL Cades Cove
Fragrance: Penhaligon's Opus 1870
Consecutive Daily Shaves - # 1000

Shave #1000 without missing a shave. As I stated before I believe I am MUCH further than that, but this is what I could state that was documented. As a daily shaver it will go up for sure and is just a marker. Next marker would be the 3 year mark of @1095 I guess (not sure if there is a leap year involved. GREAT shave with the products and tools selected. Have a Stellar day Folks !!!

I love that brush handle. Quilt, huh? I must try to make one. Lovely picture.

[Jayaruh]

I have had two Henckels: one with the Henckels guys on the back, and one without. I sold the former. twhite sharpened my Henckels wedge, and I almost always use it with the Henckels.





This is my Henckels when it first arrived at my house. I copied the case to use on several other razors: J.A. Heljestrand, Supply (2), and the Henckels I sold. This one came complete with the stropping handle and two useable blades.