Real H&R or fake?

[gfoster]

Been reading in the archives that there's been some issue with fake hen and roosters... I've been watching some on eBay and don't know enough to know whether these are real or fake so I thought I'd ask you guys before I plunked down any money. Doesn't look like anything is stamped on the tang, and I thought that was the distinguishing thing to look for from what I've read but again I don't know enough to be sure

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWA%3AIT&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/HEN-ROOSTER-BLAC...QQcmdZViewItem

(the second guy has several in his eBay store, I suspect if one is real they all are and vice versa).

Thanks!

-- Gary F.

[mgraepel]

Far be it from me to state with any amount of authority on the subject, but from some casual research the second appears to be legit. The first doesn't have a good enough picture to be able to tell, but it could be legit as well.

[gfoster]

Oh and would one of these be a good "starter" razor or should I look for something lower (or higher)? I did spend some time searching here and the general consensus seemed to be good on these but I wanted to make sure that was still the case. I saw Tony used to sell them and quit so figured that might be a warning sign.

I figure if I don't win a strop on the giveaway I might just hit Tony's store up for a strop and starter blade and call it good to go instead of worrying about buying on eBay without enough knowledge.

Thanks... I feel really ignorant, not used to feeling that way heh.

-- Gary F.

[mgraepel]

Buying one through a member is probably going to your best bet. And I think the reason Tony stopped selling the H&R razors was either due to cost or availability of stock, not because they were bad. And don't worry about feeling ignorant, we all start somewhere.

[wvbias]

GFoster,

I would say that H & R Razors are good razors. Their pocket
knives seem to be. It seems as though all German cutlery is
quite good.

Of course a with more knowledge may rule me out.

Terry

[RichZ]

You can't go wrong by getting a razor from one of the guys on the site. Tony's stater kit would be a good pickup.

[wvbias]

You can't go wrong by getting a razor from one of the guys on the site. Tony's stater kit would be a good pickup.

I'll second that. Either one of Tony's kits or check out
www.billysbaldes.com or PM Joe Chandler and ask him
to email his list of razors for sale. This way you are
definately getting a really good razor at a fair price.



Terry

[Tony Miller]

Okay, the H&R story <g>. Nice razors, pretty etching, take an excellent edge, really cool velvet hinged boxes in a nice embossed slipcase. Well done all around. But there is this tiny foil inlaid H&R emblem in the scales. On half of the razors I bought this was coming out of the scales. On my first order! Not a grat way to start. I asked to return them and was told they would send me new inlays and to remove the old ones and glue in the new. yeah right. Back they all went and me and H&R were no more. I am hard on myself with the things I sell and am really hard on those that supply to me <g>

Anyway, as far as I know (and you didn't hear it here) there does not seem to be any 'fake" H&R razors after some reesearch. The original ones Pratt sells are very much like the Dovo made (didn't hear that either) Fromm (or Timor) razors I sold a year ago. The newer "fake" H&R razors are very much like the new Dovo made Fromm (or Timor) razors. A little thinner and a different etch pattern and chemical etched tang instead of stamped. Hmm, the ony thing missing is the blued spine and tang that the new Fromm (or Timor) and a similar razor recently promoted here sport. I think (don't know for sure though) that the newer questionable H&R razors are no more than the latest version, just like the new Timor and Fromm and that other new brand <g>

My 2 rather well informed cents.

Tony

[randydance062449]

Well, the second seller, PDPRATT, has a good rep and has been selling H&R razors for a long time. That being said I have never used an H&R. For whats its worth, get a starter set from Tony Miller.

Just my two cents,

[Tony Miller]

Guys, I hope no one misunderstood my post about H&R quality issues. The razors themselves are great and the seller PDPRATT is well respected. My reason for dropping them was cosmtic quality issues with the scales and more a beef between me and my supplier than the razors. I didn't like the way the supplier handled the bad scale issue.

If you want an H&R you will get a fine razor and I suggest buying form PDPRATT on eBay if this is the razor you are after.

Thanks,
Tony