New razor

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08-30-2007, 07:07 PM
Castro

New razor

I've just bought myself a straight razor but I have no idea if its a good one or not...I've bought it in a store where they sell lots of shaving stuff, the razor I've bought is black and it says Greis & Co Solingen, Extra Hollow Ground, Fully Waranted and the number 57 is on it, I can't seem to find this "brand" anywhere on the internet... Has anyone ever heard about it? The lady who sold it to me said all the equipment was of good quality and they have lots of DOVO stuff too, it was 65€ for the razor..the next one was already 130€ I didnt wanted to start with an expensive one so she said this was a good start... I also have a strop of DOVO and a shaving stick of Dr. Harris.. So where do I start? Stropping it first? Do I have to use a brush? Ive visited the site of Dr Harris which says its not necessary with the stick... And the lady didnt say a lot about the honing part she just said to strop it everytime I juse it and if its getting bad to use the backside...
08-30-2007, 08:20 PM
gugi

Welcome! Glad you found this place. Where do you start - by reading the stickies in this section. Your razor may need to be honed first. I think the other members from Belgium have expressed willingness to help newbies start up.

Cheers
08-30-2007, 09:09 PM
Bruno

From where in Belgium are you?
08-30-2007, 10:10 PM
Castro

I study in Gent and I live in W VL, kortrijk -waregem, how about you?
08-30-2007, 10:41 PM
gugi

I am curious about the razor. Is it possible that it is restored vintage or new old stock? From what I understand bad solingen blades are extremely rare (unless they've been messed up with), so it should be a very good razor. But what do I know - I've been around here only 2 weeks or so...
Perhaps somebody with experience can shed more light on this.
08-31-2007, 08:53 AM
Castro

It thinks it's new (she said they were selling pretty good)but I honestly have no idea, it came in a little plastic black box with a white sticker on it which says: RAZOR with super fine, long-lasting cutting edge for exceptionally smooth and clean shaves. Then it says the same thing again in 3 other languages, it also says: Made by skilled craftsmen in Solingen (logo)West- Germany... I just can't find it anywhere on the net...Well I've tried shaving myself twice now and either I'm doing something wrong or it just isnt sharp enough. I can't seem to get all the hairs removed or they just havent been cut close enough to the skin... Straight places are ok but when it comes to edges and stuff, I can just see some hairs staying there after Ive been over them with the razor...
08-31-2007, 09:06 AM
gugi

The case sounds like a standard generic case I've seen NOS come on ebay with. I think it should be a good razor, but it's possible that it is not sharp enough. I'm a complete newbie myself, what I know is just reading past posts. But the people here are extremely helpful.

Cheers
08-31-2007, 11:23 AM
xChris

The fact that the case says "West Germany" (i.e., before the fall of the Berlin Wall), would lead me to believe that the razor is indeed NOS. As already mentioned, Solingen blades are quality, so you should have no worries there.

It is most likely in need of some additional honing to produce an acceptable edge for shaving. While they are whetted before leaving the factory, and are quite sharp instruments compared to knives for example, they are usually not sharp enough to give a superior shave with.
08-31-2007, 12:22 PM
Castro

So if i get this right I might have something antique? Or is that exaggerated? Thanks for the information
08-31-2007, 12:34 PM
floridaboy

New old Stock, it hasn't been used, they made it with parts, that have been stored some were, or it was made a long time ago and stored. It sounds like a good razor and should serve you well. I think that your razor needs to be honed (sharpened) just a little. Some of the members from Belgium offer honing. PM one of them and see if the can help you.
My 2 cents

Phil
08-31-2007, 03:34 PM
Castro

Ok, thank you for the advice.
I've just mesured it and its about 2.2cm wide which is 7/8 of an inch, is this a bad thing? I've read that most razors are 5/8, isnt a 7/8 a bit heavier and easier to hold than a 5/8 razor?
08-31-2007, 03:49 PM
floridaboy

Heavier, Yes. Easier to hold, That's a debate. Just have it honed and go slow. yes it is bigger than most people start with, But the beast can be tamed. Patience and you will get the hang of it. Let us know how you are doing.

Phil
08-31-2007, 08:54 PM
Bruno

I am from Laakdal.
If you think your razor needs honing, I can hone it for you if you want. Send me a PM if you are interested.

The size (width) of a razor is mostly a matter of preference. Some prefer 5/8, some 8/8 and Josh here (jlstorm) shaves with 12/8

I prefer 6/8 and 7/8.
09-01-2007, 09:49 AM
billymeter

Quote:

Originally Posted by gugi

The case sounds like a standard generic case I've seen NOS come on ebay with. I think it should be a good razor, but it's possible that it is not sharp enough. I'm a complete newbie myself, what I know is just reading past posts. But the people here are extremely helpful.

Cheers

This is a bit off topic, but what does NOS mean? I tried to search for it so I wouldn't have to ask, but the search told me that my search term was too short :shrug:
09-01-2007, 09:53 AM
xChris

Quote:

Originally Posted by billymeter

This is a bit off topic, but what does NOS mean? I tried to search for it so I wouldn't have to ask, but the search told me that my search term was too short :shrug:

NOS = New Old Stock

Also, see Floridaboy's post (#10) above as he elaborates on the definition.
09-01-2007, 07:22 PM
Castro

I've found the exact same box as I have...http://shop.thewellshavedgentleman.c...6&productId=97 but this site says its a new razor? And mine is not a dovo...
09-01-2007, 08:01 PM
gugi

Quote:

Originally Posted by Castro

I've found the exact same box as I have...http://shop.thewellshavedgentleman.c...6&productId=97 but this site says its a new razor? And mine is not a dovo...

Yes, I think these are generic solingen boxes that dovo may be using on some of their razors. Or may be Tony gets the razors and the boxes separately, I don't know. I am not sure who is regrinding the NOS's - but I think they can also get hold of these boxes.
I don't think it matters much - you've got a good starting razor and as long as it's in shave ready state you should be golden.

Cheers
09-01-2007, 08:14 PM
Castro

Ok glad to hear that..
I've tried the hanging hair test a couple of times and the hair did not pop or anything, I've watched a movie on stropping on youtube and this person says that the canvas side of a strop removes a bit of the material and that it might work as a light honing... Could this help or do I just have to hone it anyway?
09-01-2007, 08:37 PM
Viktor

Quote:

Originally Posted by Castro

Ok glad to hear that..
I've tried the hanging hair test a couple of times and the hair did not pop or anything, I've watched a movie on stropping on youtube and this person says that the canvas side of a strop removes a bit of the material and that it might work as a light honing... Could this help or do I just have to hone it anyway?

Why don't you drop Bruno a PM? He offers honing services in Belgium.

Viktor
09-01-2007, 08:45 PM
gugi

+1
If I were you I'd have sent it to Bruno by now.
I don't think the linen removes enough material to serve as a hone. May be good for a tiny touchup but I don't think it can replace proper honing.
09-02-2007, 10:38 AM
Castro

Thanks for the quick replies
I've already contacted Bruno,but I think I'll try it myself, if it needs a honing between every 10-30 shaves, I figured that I'll have to be able to do it myself sooner or later.
This morning I've shaved myself for the third time and it went quite well, just the part around my chin didnt go that well,cut myself only on 3 places, small cuts so I'm quite happy with the result... And I tried the hanging hair test again and I must say that if I hold the hair really close to the cutting edge and move it back and forward while kind of pushing it down, it does break but this is probably not the correct "hanging" hair test but more "pushing" hair test... Any other test I might do? I'm looking for a honing stone anyway but I don't want to hone it if its not necessary...
09-03-2007, 07:58 AM
gugi

I don't think this qualifies it as passing the test, but the only test you really need is that it can shave your face comfortably. However this doesn't mean that it will, since the technique is equally important. I know for sure that I wouldn't shave with your razor, but your beard may be fairly soft and easy to cut with a razor that isn't super sharp.
I don't think you need honing every 10-30 shaves (most people need it between every 2-3 months to almost yearly), but you are right that you would want to learn honing. How to go about it is a whole different story. The usual advice is to get at least once a razor honed by somebody who know what they are doing and then learn honing on a cheap ebay razor. This way you have a benchmark of sharpness.

How often to hone - the answer is whenever the razor isn't sharp enough. There is no way for anybody on this board to determine remotely if your particular razor is sharp enough for your beard. The closest you can get is sending it to one of the masters or at least to a member with honing experience and they will make sure it is sharp enough for most (or all) beards.

I personally chose to follow the advice of the more senior members and started with a razor honed by a fellow member. If I had to start over, I'll do it the same way. But eventually it is up to you how you want to go about it.

Anyway, good luck.
10-29-2009, 01:36 PM
Jantjeuh

I know this is an old post, but strangely enough I have also found one of these razors, it's not the same one, the one I saw has '60' on it. Also Geis & Co 'Solingen'.

Also in Belgium! Not in a shop, but online sale like that, but still, strange that the other known one is also in Belgium :-) I'm hesitating to buy it..
10-31-2009, 03:29 AM
ziggy925

Quote:

Originally Posted by xChris

The fact that the case says "West Germany" (i.e., before the fall of the Berlin Wall), would lead me to believe that the razor is indeed NOS.

My razor is brand new (DOVO) and is labeled W. Germany. So, I don't think you can date a razor that way. I just can't believe what I got is that old. It would be cool, however, if it was.
10-31-2009, 06:12 PM
xChris

Quote:

Originally Posted by ziggy925

My razor is brand new (DOVO) and is labeled W. Germany. So, I don't think you can date a razor that way. I just can't believe what I got is that old. It would be cool, however, if it was.

I surmise that while it was purchased new, it was most likely from earlier manufacture -- sitting in inventory from the vendor -- hence, New Old Stock.

What's the packaging like? Perhaps that could further prove the period of manufacture?