Thread: Newbs Guide to WTH Solingen is.

Ok, here is my problem. I am new to the whole straight razor shaving community. I have read the Wiki in the SRP website and know which razors to avoid and which one’s are the ones to get. I also know that “At present there are only three companies producing razors - Dovo, Thiers-Issard, and Böker.” (http://straightrazorpalace.com/srpwiki/index.php/Good_Straight_Razor_Brands)

So what is the deal with Solingen? Here is what I know and have read.
A) A city of west-central Germany east-southeast of Düsseldorf. Chartered in 1374, it is noted for its cutlery.
B) Solingen steel is used in to make DOVO razors and other fine straight razors.
C) Also some manufacturers have taken to painting "SOLINGEN" on mid-price razors. The blades of these razors are usually forged in Pakistan, and their scales are then put on in Germany so they are using a legal loop hole to claim these are manufactured (or, rather, assembled) in Solingen.

So here is my problem. Im looking through ebay for straight razors and see Solingen brand straight razors I even see Made in Solingen brand strops. So with all the history that Solingen has with cutlery, should I automatically assume that anything Made in Solingen Germany is going to be a good razor or should I be careful. Also with the statement (C) how am i suppose to figure out what is good Solingen and what is the bad Solingen.

Welcome to SRP!

The Wiki also says: Don't buy from auction sites unless you know what you are doing.
I was lucky in getting unknown German razors from there, but there also is a lot of junk. I strongly recommend to sticking to the Classifieds for the time being. No matter how good the auction deal might look, chances are it will make you unhappy.

Pre-war Solingen should therefore be alright. Also, post-war Solingen manufacturers listed in the Wiki.

Then, there is also the untold story of English manufacturers using Solingen steel, but I shall leave that one to the knowledgeable members of this community.

That said, there is also Wacker of Solingen and, if memory serves me right, Henckels again. Somebody correct me if I should be wrong.

Any road, feel free to browse the SRDB (see signature). There are some nice old Solingen razors in there.

Happy hunting,
Robin

Originally Posted by BeBerlin

Welcome to SRP!

The Wiki also says: Don't buy from auction sites unless you know what you are doing.
I was lucky in getting unknown German razors from there, but there also is a lot of junk. I strongly recommend to sticking to the Classifieds for the time being. No matter how good the auction deal might look, chances are it will make you unhappy.

Pre-war Solingen should therefore be alright. Also, post-war Solingen manufacturers listed in the Wiki.

Then, there is also the untold story of English manufacturers using Solingen steel, but I shall leave that one to the knowledgeable members of this community.

That said, there is also Wacker of Solingen and, if memory serves me right, Henckels again. Somebody correct me if I should be wrong.

Any road, feel free to browse the SRDB (see signature). There are some nice old Solingen razors in there.

Happy hunting,
Robin

+ 1 on BeBerlin!!

If you are trying to use your money wisely stick to what you know for sure, or at least what you can surmise from the wiki w/o interpretation. If you are looking for a 'steal' from Ebay, forget it. Many of us here and a lot more world wide are scouring Ebay for deals on straights and more every day. Almost all razors on Ebay sell for more than they are worth or real colse to their value. There are some good deals on Ebay but you really need to know more than what you see or read. That will come with time.

If you really want to use your money wisely search the Classifieds here on SRP or go to the vendor's that advertise on SRP w/ adds or in the classifieds.

For a low cost razor I have read on SRP that Wapi's and Double Arrows are good for the price. If you buy one of those from Ebay, or any other razor from EBay you should add at least $20 to the cost to have it professionally honed, at least for your first two razors. In the classifieds here most are sold shave ready. Read the adds carefully to be sure and ask if your not.

Of course it's your money to do with as you wish. Good luck.

Just to add to the above- I don't think there's anything particularly good about a strop coming from Solingen. I'd say it's a safe bet (for a noob) to assume that it's not a terribly good strop if it's a new one marked "Solingen"

There are deals to be had on Ebay. But as already been said they are not all that easy to find. Sometimes you get lucky and a very nice one flies under the radar and you manage to get it. Look closely at what you are buying. If you are brand spanking new to straights you should steer clear of Ebay and go to the classifieds, Kenrup, SRD or some of our other vendors. You will get a great razor for a good price from those sources. Unless you have enough experience to eye excessive hone wear, know how to tell if a small chip can be removed by honing without changing the razor too much or can spot other defects quickly, you really don't need to worry about saving money by going that route. You probably won't save any. Even if you get one by chance then you will likely still have to ship it out for honing, which adds time and money to your cost. Get a good one, and get some experience with straights. Then you can go bargain hunting...

Hey guys,

Thanks for the information. For the first two razors i bought i went and got two brand new Dovo straights. Now, Dovo claims that these razors are shave ready and i have heard and read rumors that they are not nearly ready for shaving. Do these razors just need some stropping or do i need to hone and strop these razors.

Daniel

Of the several Dovos I have bought new, only one was honestly shave ready right out of the box. Either have the vendor hone them if that option is available or check the classifieds for the friendly honer near you.