Thread: New Razor!

Your link does not lead to the razor. If you can fix it, you will get better assessments of your razor. An unused Henckels razor is pretty much always a good thing. Now you just need to get it honed, buy a strop, get a brush and soap, if you don't have them, and start shaving!

Sorry guys I thought it worked but maybe because I'm a member! Anyways it's an early 1900s Henckels Zwillingwerke Straight Razor #75. Here is the ad description:
This Henckels straight razor is in amazing condition for being somewhere around 100 years old. The blade is 1/2" wide with a 2 1/2" cutting edge and it still has it's original mirror finish. The handle is polished horn and is in perfect condition - no nicks, scratches or other signs of wear. Considering the condition, it's possible that it's never been used and prolly needs nothing more than a good stropping.

$45.00 + Postage

How about the size of it? It it too big, too small for a beginner? Did I get it for a good price?
Guess I need to find a stropping kit and such to sharpen it and keep it up.

Originally Posted by ShawnF

How about the size of it? It it too big, too small for a beginner? Did I get it for a good price?
Guess I need to find a stropping kit and such to sharpen it and keep it up.

The most common size of razors was 5/8. The 4/8 is perfectly useable and in many ways is more maneuverable. The narrower blades are a little bit more of a challenge to strop, because the narrowness of the blade makes it easier to roll the edge. A beginner, with no preconceived idea of how big the blade should be, really can start with any size but then later should try other sizes. You will be shocked at how different a 7/8 (or larger) razor feels once you get the hang of your 4/8 razor.

We don't do appraisals here, but yes, an Henckels at that price is a good deal.

You definitely need a strop. You can get a hone or two or four or eight (do you see a pattern here?) or you can send it out to have someone else hone it the first time. The advantage of the latter is that you know that your are starting with a sharp razor, so the only variable will be you and your technique. Normally beginners are quick to blame the razor. If the beginner is both the shaver and the honer, then it is a crap-shoot as to which is to blame though most likely it will be both. If you start with a truly shave ready razor, then you know that your shaving technique is all you need to focus on.

Thanks for the info. He said the blade is 1/2" so I am assuming that isn't correct? You are saying it's a 4/8?

4/8" is the same as 1/2". Nice razor.

If you review your math, you will discover that 4/8 is exceedingly close to 1/2! The convention with straight razors is to use 1/8 increments, though some 1/16s slip in occasionally.
BTW, from the look of it, I'm almost certain that is a 3", not 2 1/2" long blade.

LOL I am sorry guys, 4/8 is the same just as 2/4 is the same as 1/2. I do not know what the heck I was thinking by asking that. I swear I know my math!