Thread: # 14

Hi all,

Saw this "Mannos # 14" for sale on Ebay.

Thought it'd be a nice addition to the line up of the various # 14's we are putting together here.











Whom has any information regarding this brand?

Kindest regards, Jazor.

Interesting!

Have any of you seen a stainless #14?

I have a 15/16 Henckels Friodur (I suspect it was 8/8 before wear) with 14 stamped on the end of the tang. Do you think this is related to these other 14 cousins or just coincidence?

Despite some hone wear and a small frown it hones up beautifully on a narrow hone and delivers one of the best shaves I've ever had.

@ dakotaev,

What a beauty!!

After looking at your pictures, I'd say it is a # 14, as it has all the tell tale design features, even if the 14 is punched into the tang.

Kindest regards, Jazor.

Here's my 14

Its a magnetic 7/8's I need to clean it up an get it honed, but I am definately excited to try it!

I really dont know anything about it so if someone knows about this blade please inform me!

yours truly
Adam

Hi Adam,

Thanks for sharing your # 14: it is a really interesting one.

Love it and it is the first magnetic # 14 I have seen.

How did you get it?

Kindest regards, Jazor.

@Jazor
I was looking to buy a vintage dubl duck at an antique shop in glendale az when I saw this jumbo beauty. I didnt know anything about the #14's or magnetic blades, when i picked it up in my hand and held it I knew i didnt want the beat up dubl anymore. Also I thought that the magnetica bit on the blade was just advertising until i set the razor down on the sink and a metal clip stuck to it!

@ Adam,

Great story: you chose well.

As far as I have read on various fora and in various postings, straight razors were magnetized as it was believed that the edge would reset itself quicker or better when left over night between shaves.

Opinions vary as I have read enormous discussions on the pro's and the con's: some are believers, some feel it was only marketing.

I can't participate with an opinion as I have not tried a magnetized straight razor myself.

Your magnetic # 14 should clean up pretty nice if you restore it and have it honed.

Please be careful when restoring and honing.

Best to keep the original shape and remove the absolute minimum of material if you have chips or anything.

If too much material is removed, or even the original shape altered, it'd loose it's typical # 14 "feel" during shaves as well as it's typical # 14 looks.

All # 14's I had in my hands, even the NOS ones have an ever so slight "smile" that follows the "hollow" back.

If a restorer takes that away and gives it a "straight" edge, the knife is "castrated" so to say.

Perhaps you can first hone it to perfection as it is now and later consider merely polishing it so.

This might give you a feel for what I'm trying to explain in this posting.

Good luck and perhaps post "before and after" pics once you got it the way you want it?

Kindest regards, Jazor.

Here is my #14 Novodur that I picked up recently. Just got done cleaning it last night and it delivered a great shave.

Here's my Number 14 - 7/8 CUF Solingen, came to me in very tired scales, recently rescaled by Mr Neil Miller in black horn. Sorry for the poor pic!

@ Harvitz81 and Scipio: thanks for sharing pics of your # 14's.

@ Scipio: this is a brand I didn't see a # 14 from yet. What information can you share regarding the brand?

Kindest regards, Jazor.