First day on the job...

Hello all, I've been handed down a straight edge and thought this looked like a great site to start acquiring knowledge of the grand techniques to straight edge shaving..

I've tried to get a bit of info about the razor I've been given before running into this too blind but haven't been able to source a great deal.

What I have in my hand is a black box with faded gold embossed writing - J.A. Henckels. Solingen Zwillingswerk. Inside and well coated with vaseline is a round point with an almost straight spine, longcut/shoulderless, black bakelite (?) scales with markings only on the shank. Markings read as per the logo on the bottom row to the left of the Grand Prix Paris 1900 from the first attachment but also with 42 1/2. Not sure wht the number means?
The markings, from what I understand, are of the 1900 trademark logo and pre 1969.
It appears to have had very little use and I can't recall ever seeing dad use it. He got it in a flea market or garage sale about 30 years ago (I'm 28) and chose this one over the others available because it had never been used and was at the time still wrapped in brown paper. I'll take a few pictures and post them tomorrow.

As I am very new to this art form I am curious to know if this razor is valuable - not for sale regardless, by the way - and if so I should take a risk and learn with this razor or should I purchase another and start with something shave ready? Just fearful of my lack of stropping knowledge and if I damage the razor.

Hi there and welcome to SRP!

I would start reading the Wiki on the forum. Start making your shaving creams, send out your razor to Lynn for a honing and once over. When it comes back to you you should be getting proficient at making the shaving cream and ready to start shaving slowly.

Give it a go and start out slow...

I hope you enjoy as much as the rest of us!

Should be a great razor. Whatever you decide to do, start with a shave ready razor. Whether this means buying a 'new' one ready to go, or sending your Henkels out for sharpening is up to you. Personally I'd go for a combination of the two, buying a starter razor to learn with and allowing a respected honer to get yours up to speed. Though its never been used by your father there's still an heirloom aspect to consider and accidents can happen, especially at the start. Good luck and welcome.

SlimTim, welcome to SRP! That razor should be a very good razor. J.A. Henckles is a very respected brand of razor by many people here at SRP. If you decide to have it sent out to be honed, I will do it for you for free. If you decide to, just PM, me and I'll and I'll get you the info. Welcome and God Bless!

Awsome offer to help get a guy started. That Henkles that you have is just what many of us here look for. A lot of us are using razors that are 75-150 years old, and they still do the job wonderfully. Welcome to a whole new experience.

May your blade always be sharp and your lather slippery.:beer2:

+1 on sending the Henckles out to be honed and getting a shave ready razor to start out with. It's a better idea to start out with a razor that has no sentimental value than to use the the one that does. As was already stated, accidents happen. I would take rrp1501 up on his offer to hone your Henckles. That's a wonderful gesture by the way. Welcome to the world of straight shaving. I think you'll like it here.

Welcome to SRP and +1 to what the previous posters have said. :beer1:

Thank you all for your advice, here's a couple of photo's I've taken... I don't think it needs much work to restore it to it's original glory.

I'll do some research and read all the recommendations I can and look to purchase a shave ready razor as many of you have suggested.

Thanks to RRP1501! The offer is certainly appreciated. I'll be in touch when I'm home in Australia next week.

Tim.

Oh, and can anyone tell me what the 42 1/2 stamped on the shank next to the logo means? I've just pulled the ruller out and it measures in as a 5/8" and 3" long so don't see any correlation there.

No idea on the 42 1/2, unless it has something to do with the grind (1/2 hollow?)

Nice razor! I wouldn't worry about learning to shave on it-- even if you stropped incorrectly the worst you would do is roll the edge which is easily fixed. If you decide to start your own honing, I'd find a practice razor for that, though...

-Chief

I'm no expert, but I believe as per THIS link, that the 42 is meant as a style/model designation perhaps. And I also believe the 1/2 to mean that it is 1/2 hollow.

I know someone else will chime in if I'm mistaken tho :)

That's quite a beauty. I'm a sucker for those utilitarian black scales too.