Which Wacker? Please help now!

Hello everyone :)

I will introduce myself shortly; I've been lurking in SRP for a couple of months, because I wanted to wait until I actually 'own' a straight razor and shave with it before starting to talk about them.

I finally almost found what I've been looking for, i.e. the ultimate object of my obsession was the Heribert Wacker Jugendstil 1034. I've searched the entire WWW and it's no where. My second wish was the Feinster Hohlschliff, but *sigh* no.

These and after months of daily searching (almost lost my job and marriage from amount of time spent on the Internet googling and teaching myself German and Russian to correspond with vendors lol) is what I have come up with.

And I need to buy one by tomorrow else they'll be sold. Can you please pick one for me? :) Please?

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The one on the left!---edit: that seems to have floated to the top

I like the top

Hey FF, I'm a fan of the heavier grind Wackers - have 4. Back when we had a 'product review' section, Jimmy did a review of the 2 razor set, which included the 13/16 1/4h Spanish Point, and the 13/16 Kielschliff Wedge. Both are more hollow than others w/ that description, but both have been rock solid shavers. I've had 2 and honed a 3rd full hollow wacker, and 2 of the 3 had warp or wave, making for more work to hone. Having put that much into Wackers, my hindsight would gladly by the heavy grinds again (and again), but I grew gunshy about the warp & wave in the full hollows. Admittedly, his full hollows are *extra* hollow (.0075" thick, measured 1/8" above the bevel). The physics of keeping steel that hard perfectly straight is almost impossible. I just disliked spending than much and having what I think is a mfg. defect. If you get one and its straight - you'll be a happy man. They can be a challenge to hone - very hard steel & can chip when honing. But the patient work will be *will* rewarded.

Hi pinlather and thanks for your advice. As I'm reading it again trying to digest the technicals, do you suppose for a novice like me who hasn't the smallest inclination yet to comprehend honing 'issues' that buying a Wacker altogether is a bad idea? I mean, if and when I do buy it, I'll be learning to strop for the very first time. If it is not shave ready or not properly honed by the vendor then I'm pretty much scr**** no?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ffarouki

Hello everyone :)

I will introduce myself shortly; I've been lurking in SRP for a couple of months, because I wanted to wait until I actually 'own' a straight razor and shave with it before starting to talk about them.

I finally almost found what I've been looking for, i.e. the ultimate object of my obsession was the Heribert Wacker Jugendstil 1034. I've searched the entire WWW and it's no where. My second wish was the Feinster Hohlschliff, but *sigh* no.

These and after months of daily searching (almost lost my job and marriage from amount of time spent on the Internet googling and teaching myself German and Russian to correspond with vendors lol) is what I have come up with.

And I need to buy one by tomorrow else they'll be sold. Can you please pick one for me? :) Please?

Attachment 143308Attachment 143309

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You say you've been lurking here for months and you need to ask a question like that !?! '-)

The answer is easy - BOTH!!!

:rock:

I own the Jungmeister and love it. I am partial to the Spanish point but the French would be my second choice so in my opinion you can't go wrong with either choice. BTW, Phrank has the right idea; just eliminate all that fussing over which one to get.

rs,
Tack


Edit: That same blade shape is available in quarter hollow grind - same horn scales even. I'm drooling over it now myself.

Have had many Wackers inc several 7 day sets.It is said that Heribert is no longer running the company.
That being said, the two I have seen made in the past year had terrible fit and finish.
Not bashing but I would make sure I had return privilages with the vendor your dealing with.
When they are right, they are fantastic razors.

Chose door #3! Really, I like the scales best on the top one, I'm sure their both great razors.

Phrank & Tack- Right. I wish I could. But in reality my first SR a few days ago was the Dovo Bergischer Lowe, which I am absolutely in love with. I got it and almost couldn't shave with it because it was so pretty. And I didn't shave with it, because I saw a manufacturing defect in the gold plating/etching and so I sent it back. But I am unrealistically excited about it coming back. Point is, I can't afford 2 Wackers. Finito la musica, it's gonna either be this or that and no more SRs this year.

Tack & pixelfixed- In addition to the above, I also much prefer Spanish points but couldn't find the Jugendstil or the Best Tradition in Spanish. Round is what I got. I started looking at the Jungmeister for that reason. The Bergischer has a Spanish point, so figured having one of each could also be a good idea.

To be honest, I am slightly worried from what I am reading about getting a Wacker- considering that I don't know much about SRs. But I really didn't find any other razors that I liked, design wise. If you guys can make any suggestions, maybe I could end up with something that I'd like more and even save me some :)

Sorry,no help from me,razors to me are like women,my likes about blades are like the wind,changes all the time:)

Top. I have no reason. I likes what I likes.

Between those 2 straights I would purchase number 2.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ffarouki

Phrank & Tack- Right. I wish I could. But in reality my first SR a few days ago was the Dovo Bergischer Lowe, which I am absolutely in love with. I got it and almost couldn't shave with it because it was so pretty. And I didn't shave with it, because I saw a manufacturing defect in the gold plating/etching and so I sent it back. But I am unrealistically excited about it coming back. Point is, I can't afford 2 Wackers. Finito la musica, it's gonna either be this or that and no more SRs this year.

Tack & pixelfixed- In addition to the above, I also much prefer Spanish points but couldn't find the Jugendstil or the Best Tradition in Spanish. Round is what I got. I started looking at the Jungmeister for that reason. The Bergischer has a Spanish point, so figured having one of each could also be a good idea.

To be honest, I am slightly worried from what I am reading about getting a Wacker- considering that I don't know much about SRs. But I really didn't find any other razors that I liked, design wise. If you guys can make any suggestions, maybe I could end up with something that I'd like more and even save me some :)

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Sigh...maybe I'm not making myself clear....

Of course you can't have both, remember, three's a crowd!!

So send me the Dovo Bergischer Lowe for safe keeping, and then get both...see? Problem solved!

I'll PM you my address...you pay the shipping, and get a tracking number, as we likes to watch the Precious as it makes it's way to us....

Might be a bit late on this, but if I had to choose between the 2 I would go for the top one. They are both nice looking razors, but i like the look of the top one better; might have to put both of those on the ol' wish list to see about getting later :hmmm:

Thank you all for your replies.. Today's been, what can I say.. I like the majority of you liked the top one more but the vendor after agreeing and tying up all the bolts and pieces surprised me by insisting on a money transfer rather than just a regular card purchase.

This obviously will turn into a waiting game- money to arrive, money to clear, them to dispatch, etc.

Seriously considering the bottom one now more. Juvenile I know.

Sounds shady to me. Buyer beware.

Michael

I have to agree with Michael, remember that with an account transfer you have no recourse if you are not satisfied. Any vendor who does not at least have a paypal account, not to mention a Merchant Services account (to accept credit cards) is not to be trusted.

That's my two cents worth; I'll wait over here for my change.


rs,
Tack

Aaaaaand.. It finally arrived :)

First, I had to sort payment shenanigans with a foreign retailer with which we don't speak a common language. Second, they kept saying that they're sending it while they weren't. Third, Parcelforce as usual delayed it a few days with their infamous 'insufficient address information' excuse- it always delivers later with the correct address clearly legible on the package. But it's here and I'm so happy :)

Pictures soon to follow in the SOD I promise

Great! We were a little worried after hearing about the suspicious payment requirement, I'm glad it worked out.. eventually. :)


rs,
Tack

To be honest, it was a bit unsettling. They suddenly responding to emails and queries the day the payment was made. Wouldn't pick up the phone either, except once and then said they were busy and would call back.

I thought it was a fraud but was happy to eventually find out it was just bad customer service. I mean, they made the sale so now why bother right?

Several days later after ten of emails sent and missed calls I received an email with a tracking number. Just that, no hello thank you goodbye lol.

Thing is these razors are hard to come by, that particular model almost impossible to find in stock. They were a small shop in Austria that had the pleasure of meeting Herr Wacker himself and so they had it. Their specialty, however, is knives and cutlery. Figures, they don't expect return custom. Sigh.