Thread: eBay Solingen stainless?

I've been looking to try a stainless. Anyone know anything about the generic Solingen brand sold by Manyware on eBay? In particular, is there likely a big difference in shaving quality between the ice hardened SS models (INOX, Friodor, etc.) and a blade that does not go through this process? I've just sent an inquiry to Manyware asking whether this blade went through a similar process.


http://cgi.ebay.com/STRAIGHT-RAZOR-7...QQcmdZViewItem

I believe the Solingen brand is Pakistani manufacture (read junk). They are trying to make it look like German manufacture, as it is stamped "Germany Stainless" on the tang, and "Solingen" on the scales. It's fairly deceptive marketing. This is a $10 razor, whereas a Henckels Friodur is a $100+ razor. Yes, there's a difference.

If you want a good stainless, try:
ClassicShaving.com
John Crowley's ShavingShop.com
Bill Ellis' BillysBlades.com
Lynn mave some for sale in the gallery as well

Please let us know what the seller has to say regarding the country of origin & manufacture, as well as their tempering process.

Manyware is one of the more respected german dealers and I hae bought from him before. I know of the Pakistani made "Solingen" razors and am 99% sure this is not one of them. The blade etching looks exactly like the Dovo Best Quality and they had closed out some 7/8 round points like this a while back.

Tony Miller

Thanks for chiming in Tony. If you say it isn't Pakistani that's good enough for me. Solingen has been added to way too many knock-off razors, and the cheap price looked like the same old ruse to me.

Kyle,
It gets harder to tell every day. The old tell tail sign of stamped vs. electro etched logos on the tang no longer works either. Most new TI razors are now etched, not stamped.

That razor looks like a good deal to me as the 7/8 non-stainless 7/8 Dovo I can get costs me nearly that much.

Just to be safe though, ask the seller. I have dealt with him and found him easy to work with.

Tony

Thanks guys for your input. I just sent Manyware an inquiry about the origin of the blade; and specifically if it was either made in Pakistan, in which case I'm clearly not interest, or if it was a Dovo closeout as Tony suggests. If the latter, I'm very interested.

Sounds like mcDonalds. I heard that they registered the name '100% Australian Beef' as a business name. Then claimed their burgers had 100% Australian beef in them.

Well, I thought the "Solingen Best Quality" name looked familiar. All of the Dovos in my kits, bought from dovo have the exact same etching on the blade. Mine are carbon steel though, not stainless.



Tony

I have to vouch for that seller also. I've dealth with him before a few times and his wares are all genuine German stuff. I would highly doubt he's selling Pakistani garbage. But as the old saying goes better to be safe than sorry so if you have doubts wait for his E-mail.

If you're interested in something older, try to find a George Butler stainless. Mine's a fairly good shaver. Got it from Tony H, almost mint.