Thread: # 14

IF I was to ever find this razor...... I would buy it and send it to ya.

Ya never know what these antique stores in my neck of the woods have in em.....

I shall begin Prayers for an Ottoman of my own, NOS. Mwwwahahaha

Now the #14's will flow again, now that Phrank has his supply (kidding).

That W&B Ottoman is stunning and I can see why it has been on your hit list Phrank. I wonder if that hasn't been modified at the toe? Can't see a #14 on the tang either,,,, har har.

Originally Posted by Jazor

Haven't heard of the erdinand Herberz name yet: interesting logo.

They're quite well known, actually:

Ferdinand Herberz & Cie, Stahlwarenfabrik, gegründet 1864, registriert am 17.Juli 1917, Sohlingen-Ohlings. Spezialisiert auf die Herstellung von Schneidwaren und Rasiermessern.
Markennamen: Palmera, Palma, Barcelona, Harpune, Sekurapid, Efax, Effax, Eros, Herberz, El Plumero

In case you're wondering about the Palmera brand, there is this old thread: http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...w-palmera.html

And a bit about Palmera: "Juan Vollmer bought a razor blade factory in Irún and was authorized to use the PALMERA trade mark in Spain (the PALMERA trademark was first registered in 1864 in Solingen, Germany). PALMERA's evolution since then has been substantial; it met very specific objectives in those years and became a symbol of quality that would later support other products manufactured by the company." (Source: http://www.snaeurope.com/media/89748/sna_timeline.swf)

Vollmer apparently worked as an OEM, cf this "Vollmer" lather catcher (which is a Henckels for all intents and purposes): https://goo.gl/Xubpfl. And there's even a Juan Vollmer Place in Irún.

You'll probably find this thread interesting, too: Tengo en camino esta navaja Juan Vollmer

Palmera timeline :::: PALMERA :::

Originally Posted by RobinK

They're quite well known, actually:

In case you're wondering about the Palmera brand, there is this old thread: http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...w-palmera.html

And a bit about Palmera: "Juan Vollmer bought a razor blade factory in Irún and was authorized to use the PALMERA trade mark in Spain (the PALMERA trademark was first registered in 1864 in Solingen, Germany). PALMERA's evolution since then has been substantial; it met very specific objectives in those years and became a symbol of quality that would later support other products manufactured by the company." (Source: http://www.snaeurope.com/media/89748/sna_timeline.swf)

Vollmer apparently worked as an OEM, cf this "Vollmer" lather catcher (which is a Henckels for all intents and purposes): https://goo.gl/Xubpfl. And there's even a Juan Vollmer Place in Irún.

You'll probably find this thread interesting, too: Tengo en camino esta navaja Juan Vollmer

Now having shaved with four different #14's - Palmera, Filarmonica, Dorko and Henckels, I simply can't tell really any difference between each of the razors. If one was to do a, "blind taste test" so to speak, I highly doubt a person using each one would think other than they'd used the same razor on four different occasions.

The sound, the feel, the manner in which they shave, the feel of the steel - the striking similarities sweep the balance in my opinion towards a common origin.

Again, this is just my experience and my opinion, but having just had my morning shave with the Dorko #14 - it's hard to argue against a common manufacturer.

This has been fun!

Originally Posted by Phrank

I simply can't tell really any difference between each of the razors.

There are. Some are full hollow grinds, some are extreme hollow grinds. Palmera and Filarmonica are middle of the road compared to, say, a Mehl.

Originally Posted by Phrank

it's hard to argue against a common manufacturer.

That's purely a US forum phenomenon. Go visit any of the German forums, and you'll see that their (epic, and rich in pictures) #14 threads, include all #14 blades, ie Palmera and Filarmonica as well. I'll probably never understand why, but that's all right. Maybe if I'd paid $500 or more for an export quality Solingen razor, I might want to make believe it shaved better than anything else, too.

@ Phrank: nice Palmera, congrats.

@ RobinK: interesting links.

Kindest regards, Jazor

Thanks to both Martin and Robin for the links, but I couldn't view the pics of any other #14 razors.
There is no doubt in my mind as to the origin of these blanks, but I had a good look at my Palmera today. My eyes are not the best , it appears to be a bellied hollow grind and wafer thin. If it was much more hollow ground, it would be border line on failing, it will flex 2mm on my thumbnail. Can't help but admire the craftsmanship of the old gents who made them. Would be great to see photos of others you have in your inventory Robin.

@ Grazor: checking the # 14's in my rotation I have to agree that most are bellied hollow of the finest craftsmanship.

This goes for various brands and I guess it is one of the reasons why for my taste they shave so well.

Keep the pics and info's coming!


Kindest regards, Jazor