Thread: NOS Friodur 7/8 - there's more?

I purchased one of these from open_razor last month, however it came with these scales. I love cracked ice scales, but like Bladerunner's razor, the blade peeks out a tiny bit from the bottom.

I'm working on a new set of scales for the razor right now. The blade isn't quite in the "chin-whisperer" class yet, but I'm sure I can get it there.

I know this doesn't follow the theme of the thread. I also know this has probably been discussed before. However my search-fu has failed me.

I see that open_razor is selling some stainless Solingen "First Class" blades. Any idea on their origin or quality?

I stumbled upon these today ... I ordered one right away. I have been looking for one for a while, and didn't want to drop the cash that shavingshop.com is asking. I'll probably send it out to get rescaled in the future, but for now, you can't beat that price.

Thanks, Leon for starting this thread.

Originally Posted by Pyment

I know this doesn't follow the theme of the thread. I also know this has probably been discussed before. However my search-fu has failed me.

I see that open_razor is selling some stainless Solingen "First Class" blades. Any idea on their origin or quality?

If this is the razor it is a great blade. It is stainless and holds an excellent edge.

IF I'm correct, and it's a big if, why should you care about who really produced the razor. These razors may not be the truly genuine Friodur, but they sure have excellent steel, are skillfully ground and can be honed to outstanding shavers.
The craftsman who made it, probably kisses his wife and children when he arrives home after work and complains about the job to his friends, regardless him being a Chinese gent in the year 2000 or a German fellow in 1950. It's the one that sells it that knows the origin.

Bart.

Originally Posted by Bart

IF I'm correct, and it's a big if, why should you care about who really produced the razor.

Curiosity. And if your theory is correct, that ebay seller is a fraud. I do not think he would be selling them for $100 if they were missing the dancing twins logo.

Originally Posted by sparq

Curiosity. And if your theory is correct, that ebay seller is a fraud. I do not think he would be selling them for $100 if they were missing the dancing twins logo.

That is correct. But being suspicious of something, is not the same as accusing someone of being a fraud. I could easily be wrong.
I have shaved with this razor. I've also shaved with a €400 Dovo (mammuth ivory scales and their highest end blade). This 7/8 "Friodur" is at least as good as that Dovo.

I am sure that there is a consensus on this product.

Sorry Bart, I´m sure you are wrong. I´m actually not seen any chinese razor, that show the qualitiy that a Friodur has. If they would be from an actually chinese production, be sure you would be found similar blades, without the twin brand.

The truth is, that all the big solingen companys gave their blade blanks to various different individuall grounders in Solingen. In the 1950 - 1960 over 600 from them worked at home in little garages and grounded for the great companys. Some of the blades are still in this garages or cellars and come now back to the light.
Also in the 1960´and later the market for straight razors clashed. So many of them couldtn be selled. I think some of this stuff is still stored somewhere.
I talked with some guys here in germany and they told me, that they have still a bunch of this old blades. The main problem is to find matching handles and pins.
A other point is, the Friodurs dont will rust. So a 50 year old blade is optical like new or very easy to polish. Many of the old carbon steel blades are now rusty and rotten or you need much more experience to polish them.

This is an extract from a thread over at B&B - maybe relevent

"The Dealer is "MeckyMesser" in the German "www.gut-rasiert.de" Forum.

Grinded on vintage "Schleifhexe" & honed by himself from NOS raw blades (because his Grandpa owns an original Razor Maker Company (Schleifkotten) in Solingen around 1920)."