Thread: The Sophisticated Solingen's

Just a quick question - what do you know about Sanssouci razor? I strongly believe that it was made in DDR after the WWII. What do you think?

@Traskrom:

Hmm, interesting question! I posted some pictures of this raszor in the German wetshaving forum, I am member, and only got one reply. A friend of mine said, this razor was made in the 1920ies, and that his Sanssouci was one of his best razors. That would mean, at least this particular one was made before WWII. But it could have possibly been made in the DDR (eastern Germany before reunion): In Berlin, there is a castle called "Sanssouci", pictured at the razor's box. I'll try to do some research, but I'm not sure, if I can find out more about this straight, as I said, I only got one reply in the thread I posted about this one.

I'm not sure, if any razors were made in the DDR, but they definitely had here manufacturers of DE razors and blades. Maybe they imported straight razors from Russia? If I can mange to find out anything more, I'll post it in this thread. Lets see, what the members of the German razors know about DDR razors.

Here is another picture of Sanssouci razor. This is not mine, we were just discussing it lately.

Nice one!

I justed posted this qustion in the German forum. So far one member, born and still living in eastern Germany said, that his old honemeister definitely knows some DDR razors, but is not very enthusiastic about their quality. Still not sure about the origin of the Sanssouci but at least my one was a good shaver, easy to hone and able to take a good edge.

Awaiting more answers from the other forum...

Meanwhile, the world is holding it's breath, to find more about the mysterious Sanssouci razors, I want to show you some more Solingen razors

- J.W. Engels 3/8" (not identical to the C.W. Engels/Engelswerk razors)

- Bismarck 4/8" (must been made before 1957, the year, Dovo took over Bismarck razors)


Not a German or DDR razor, but the only razor I ever possesed, made in Eastern Europe. This particular one is made of Kayser Ellison Sheffield Steel,
but was ground in Breslau,Poland by Ed Moebus. This was my first razor, I bought it from Olivia. Never saw another Moebus again.

Ed Moebus 5/8"

Wester Bros Anchor brand - manganese steel

In terms of the Sanssouci razors:

One guy from the German forum, who also owns a Sanssouci, replied today, that his razor definitely was made before the 1950s. That means, it was made, before the DDR existed.

it was made, before the DDR existed.

Moleman, thanks for information.
Traskrom, this is what I supposed.

This razor may be not as "sophisticated" as it should be for this threat, this is just an amazing shaver!
Imperial Razor, Warranted, Registered 20507, Germany

Böntgen & Sabin, Solingen.

Nice razor, manah. Never heard of this brand. But according to my experience, the unknown manufacturers from Solingen made really terrific razors, that can easily compete with the well-known brands.

Here is a razor from W. Hodge and sons, the "Dreadnought". Although Hodge is an English company from Plymouth, the tang and the box reads "Made and ground in Germany expressly for W. Hodge". We can assume that this is a Solingen razor. This is the one and only Hodge razor I have seen so far, they seem to be pretty unknown, perhaps I will never get to know, who actually made this razor. But if you look at its' grind, you will see, that this has been the work of someone who knows his business