Thread: Singing Engels

Finally figured out how to do pictures! Here is my entry to the club!
Great shave but seems like real tough steel

Slawman

Hi guys,

My latest acquisition is this F.W.Engels Leader 5/8 Full Hollow with original scales and box; New Old Stock from Ebay. I am very glad I got this one and it’s a looker! The blade, scales, bolsters, and original cardboard box are in top notch condition!

I very much like the gun blued tang and the ‘leader’ logo. It’s my first straight with a blued tang and as I hoped it adds something special. I still have to see how well the blade does in a first run; the edge does cut arm hair so I am curious whether this is the original factory edge, and if it performs a decent shave. Either way, a few laps of honing will improve things anyhow.

In the pics are the Leader’s stable mates: a FWE 5/8 Trade Mark (or Hänsel und Gretel) with faux ivory scales, and the 6/8 Special with honey yellow scales. Together they make a very nice trio!

Thanks for watching.

Kind regards,
Paul

Anyone know anything about them? I am familiar with the Special, but not with this particular model.
Here is a pic from shaveready.net (where I ordered it from). I posted this in the general razor forum, but am hoping to find someone who knows a bot more about this model.
Thanks in advance,
Ted

My FWE Special is in good condition. Will put it on strops for use next shave. Only drawback is one of the bolsters near the pivot feels somewhat lifted. It is flat to the eye and I have put CA adjacent to it; however, it doesn't seem to hold it down. Anyone have suggestions?

I did pay a pretty price on these two, but I wanted to get a few nice FWEs after I got my first straight. My first FWE purchase was a Special, and that made me want to get anew FWE Leader.
Of course once I saw this FWE Perfection on the 'bay, I finally caved and paid their price.

Sorry for the poor pics, I am in the process of moving and have nothing "special" around for a backdrop.

Originally Posted by colosilverado

I did pay a pretty price on these two, but I wanted to get a few nice FWEs

I checked the auction and saw what you paid. Y'know that FWE is like new and is one of the great brands of vintage razors. The old barbers in north Jersey that had been doing it 50 years (1980s) told me dubl duck & FWE were their favorites. So compare the price of that razor to a current model with the same amount of bling. I think you made out very well.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

I checked the auction and saw what you paid. Y'know that FWE is like new and is one of the great brands of vintage razors. The old barbers in north Jersey that had been doing it 50 years (1980s) told me dubl duck & FWE were their favorites. So compare the price of that razor to a current model with the same amount of bling. I think you made out very well.

I let the auction run it's course once for sure...maybe twice to see if the price would drop. It didn't seem to. In the end, I decided I'd probably wonder if I'd see another one like it anytime soon and kick myself if I passed up the chance multiple times if I didn't see another.

Actually, I believe I read a post of yours somewhere else where you mentioned what you stated above, and that made me look to FWE!
I love my Special and cannot see myself buying an new razors for the time being. Right now, I prefer razors that have a story to tell.

I'll be sending the Leader and Perfection to a honemeister/restoration expert for a touch up on them and to make them ready.

Thanks again!