Thread: Die Wackerfans!

Max, you're gonna love that!

Did you get from the Canadian distributor or John at Shavingshop? Did it come shave ready? or are you going to ride the stones yourself?

I have one close to that size (15/16), and had to hone. The steel is hard, but when it dials in, it'll put a big smile on your face. For all the threads about the taller blades being less maneuverable, even this noob gets a thrill each time I use it.

Speckey, scroll up a bit - the pic is on the same page

Oops there it is.

I like the dark horn over the light

Pink did you have to re-hone or touch up? I had to re-hone

Originally Posted by speckey

Pink did you have to re-hone or touch up? I had to re-hone

I cut John slack on the one blade that wasn't shave ready. He jumped through his navel to get it out on about a 12 hr turnaround. 3 blades over a couple months (get the impression I like wacker?). Of the two that were shave ready, the edges were outta this world - but didn't last. About 7-10 shaves and they no longer returned to shaving sharp with just stropping. In both cases, it began at the heel. Being unable to duplicate John's set up or stroke, I reset bevel, and have had no issues since. The only touch up now is if I find a better finishing process and want it on the wackers.

The 3 I have are all pretty different, 6/8 1/4 hollow, 6/8 wedge, 15/16 full hollow. Pretty much any day I use them at least starts out a really good day. If I were to buy another, I'd be split between another config I don't yet have, or to get another 1/4 hollow. Main gripes - no top jimps, few 3-pin models. FWIW, I saw 15/16 Antik on the German site. 'Really beautiful. 6/8th antik sold out first (from John), then, while deciding which to get other than the Stosser Wedge, the 7/8 antik sold out.

'Don't know which blade you're wielding, but I hope your luck after honing was at least as good as mine. This may not last long, but I'm so happy w/ my current blades, I don't really want any more (until my turn comes up on R. Williams waiting list).

I have the 13/16 70 year Stosser. When it came the shave was very harsh something was just not right. (I am not to the point yet that I can hone my own). I sent it out to Bob Keyes to get honed.
What came back was like a totally different blade. It is a very smooth and comfortable shave.

Another Wacker is on the wish list, looking at this

I've never seen that model, and it's really really handsome. It's disturbing. I'm just getting comfy, happy w/ the blades I have, and you had to show me this!

Where did you get that?

'Would have been a heartbreaker for it to arrive and not be usable if you don't hone (I'm not particularly good at it, but like my edges). I'm really glad the edge work has allowed it's normal performance to satisfy. There are many good blades, but I think these are on the better end of the spectrum. 'Next time my doctor tells me I have too much money, I'm sure another one will follow me home!

Thank You for posting, Speckey! It's beautiful.

Check these out:

Rasiermesser

Jubiläums Rasiermesser Mod.3

Originally Posted by speckey

I have the 13/16 70 year Stosser. When it came the shave was very harsh something was just not right. (I am not to the point yet that I can hone my own). I sent it out to Bob Keyes to get honed.
What came back was like a totally different blade. It is a very smooth and comfortable shave.

Another Wacker is on the wish list, looking at this

Hi Speckey

I have the 8/8. It's very light (x-tra full hollow/narrow spine), which makes it a joy to handle - however the narrow spine also make it difficult (for me) to hone. I do my own honing and I have't been able to get this one quite like I'd like it yet - not sure what to do next, is this just me, has anyone else come across this? Thanks Michael

I just purchased my first Wacker from Muscles. Shaved with it last night and it is a great shaver.

Originally Posted by MichaelS

Hi Speckey

I have the 8/8. It's very light (x-tra full hollow/narrow spine), which makes it a joy to handle - however the narrow spine also make it difficult (for me) to hone. I do my own honing and I have't been able to get this one quite like I'd like it yet - not sure what to do next, is this just me, has anyone else come across this? Thanks Michael

Just a suggestion, but thin spine and that much distance 8/8 or 1" is quite a ways from spine to edge and you might try putting electrical tape on it and honing a NEW bevel to the one that is already on there. It will be a bevel starting about 1/2 way down the existing bevel and going to the point of the blade. It will increase the angle of the bevel a little. The thickness of the spine determines the angle of the bevel, and it's all about relationship between contact on the back(spine) and the edge. Further distance, means less angle. If you had a 5/8 extra hollow but very thick spine, that angle would be a lot steeper than if you had a 15/16 or 8/8 (which is a 1" blade) and the spine was not as thick.

Tape it and try.. might try 2 pieces. If yo don't like it, just re-hone it without any tape and it will be as before. One thing to note: Start at 1000 grit minimum or a little less if you have it for a starter for setting the bevel. Make sure that once you have the bevel set at 1000 grit, that you can cut hairs on your arm like the sharpest of knives, BEFORE moving up the scale to 4K, 8K and 12K or beyond. You cannot look at getting the edge sharp at those finer grits, it should be done at least at the 1K level. ALL the blade. If yo find it not poping hairs at 1K mid way in the blade, but OK at the toe or OK at the heel, keep working. It has to be sharp all the way from heel to toe. Then move on.

I've got another question of observation. I have seen Heribert Wacker (pronounced VaakeR) razors at John Crowleys site. I notice the Red Head with a Native North American Indian, and also the use of a Buffalo (Bison) same N. American species. Was there some interest in the Amerian Indians and Buffalos? Also of coincidence, which is odd, is there was a Buffalo Nickel, which had a Buffalo on one side and an Indian Head picture on the other side. I think they may even have a new Gold Dollar, .9999 Fine Gold, that is that way as well.