Kriss Kross Stropper Value Guide

The Kriss Kross Stropper is a marvel of 1920s American engineering designed by the Rhodes Manufacturing Company to combat the high cost of safety razor blades. It is highly collectible for its unique mechanical action that automatically flips the blade to sharpen both sides against a circular leather disc.

What affects the value of Kriss Kross Stropper?

• Mechanical functionality: A smooth, working flipping mechanism significantly increases value over seized units.
• Condition of the leather: Original leather that remains supple and free of deep gouges or rot is highly prized.
• Plating quality: Examples with intact, shiny nickel plating command higher prices than those with heavy pitting or rust.
• Completeness: The inclusion of the original colorful cardboard box and instruction manual can push value toward the $45 range.

How to Identify Kriss Kross Stropper?

• Look for the 'Kriss Kross' brand name and 'Rhodes Mfg. Co. St. Louis, MO' stamped into the nickel-plated steel housing.
• Verify the presence of the original circular leather stropping pad inside the mechanical assembly.
• Check for the distinctive hand-crank handle and the internal gear mechanism that flips the blade holder during rotation.
• Confirm the patent dates, typically ranging from 1921 to 1925, etched onto the metal surface.

History of Kriss Kross Stropper

Produced by the Rhodes Manufacturing Company in St. Louis during the 1920s, the Kriss Kross Stropper was an ingenious solution to the high cost of replacement razor blades. At a time when a pack of blades could cost a substantial portion of a worker's daily wage, this device allowed users to extend the life of a single blade for months or even years. It features a unique mechanism that flips the blade over automatically to sharpen both sides against a circular leather strop.