Thread: First razor “hen and rooster"

Some good advice above. There are some really good vintage razors on the BST here recently which shave well. What it's all about really, especially when starting out.

Originally Posted by tintin

the description says "made in spain". are they known for good razors?

I don't know firsthand. I see they are very cheap on ebay and I doubt if they are as 'good' as the Solingen made razors. I have one old one from before the second world war and it is great. Also one like the Spain made but made in Solingen and it is real good.

Hen and Rooster trademark was bought up by (I THINK) Frost cutlery, and production has been moved from Solingen to Spain, and I believe today they are China. Not really sure. But its safe to say the quality is certainly not what it used to be.
I have one of the last of the Solingen blades, from the 90's and it reminded me very much of the Dovo Special.

Go over to The Superior Shave and get yourself a Dovo 100681 6/8" 'Best Quality, its shave ready and for $91.00 shipped, you can not go wrong!

There is a list of razors NOT to buy somewhere in the SRP WIKI> I can't locate it at the moment but here is a list of razors that will be suitable for your use:

Category:Straight Razor Database - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Forget Hen & Rooster anything. Ask before you buy.

Originally Posted by Magpie

Hen and Rooster trademark was bought up by (I THINK) Frost cutlery, and production has been moved from Solingen to Spain, and I believe today they are China. Not really sure. But its safe to say the quality is certainly not what it used to be.
I have one of the last of the Solingen blades, from the 90's and it reminded me very much of the Dovo Special.

That's true, Frost is the current owner of the trademark. A sad end to a super quality product through history.

You have to be careful with "made in" claims because the requirements to say that vary from country to country and often times to pass the bar to say "made in" is shockingly low.

+1 the thebigspendur's quote, 'A sad end to a super quality product through history.' I still remember an exquisite little Hen & Rooster fruit knife I bought before a trip to Mexico in 1969.

I just bought my first from Whipped Dog.... Allot of members gave me positive marks for ordering from them. I got the "sight unseen" for $28, I'll let you know in the next couple days how I think my money was spent. I'm really excited about it. Bottom line I listen to the experienced members here, they seem to value their reputation so I don't think they will lead you astray

I own a Hen and rooster and i like it... I paid 30$ for it and it shaves as good as my more expensive razors... Hen and rooster used to be made in Germany and now Spain... They also make an insane amount of different pocket knifes... Mine is made of stainless not carbon and they wont come shave rdy... So far i like it... Its a good project razor to learn how to hone since u can get them cheap... Honing a vintage sometimes can be very challenging because of ware ... Just my .02... Mine performs great! Actually i shaved today with mine... Tomorrow i shave with my Aust!

Originally Posted by robert2286

I own a Hen and rooster and i like it... I paid 30$ for it and it shaves as good as my more expensive razors... Hen and rooster used to be made in Germany and now Spain... They also make an insane amount of different pocket knifes... Mine is made of stainless not carbon and they wont come shave rdy... So far i like it... Its a good project razor to learn how to hone since u can get them cheap... Honing a vintage sometimes can be very challenging because of ware ... Just my .02... Mine performs great! Actually i shaved today with mine... Tomorrow i shave with my Aust!

I guess it depends on 'luck of the draw' or maybe on the skill level of the honer. I haven't had one made in Spain, but I do have a Solingen made H&R from maybe 10 years ago. It is a real good razor and like the new ones but made in Solingen. I also have a pre-WWII H&R and it is a great razor. Glad you got a good one. At that price it would be hard to beat. The few reviews I've read on the Spain made H&Rs weren't complimentary.