Thread: Is this a Friodur?

First off let me say hello to everyone. I've been visiting for a while trying to become informed but now I have a problem that has encouraged me to register and make my first post.

I recently purchased a straight razor off ebay
J.A. HENCKELS CUT THROAT STRAIGHT RAZOR Solingen Friodur INOX No Stain Case inst

I didn't see the auction until close to the end so in my excitement I think I missed certain key details that now concern me. Initially I was happy with my win even if the price went a bit higher than I would have liked but now I am worried that it isn't what it was claimed to be. I am hoping someone can answer a couple questions for me.

1. Is this an actual Henckels Friodur? Although it is advertised as a Henckels Friodur Inox I don't see Friodur or Inox stamped anywhere on the razor. It simply says J.A. Henckels Rostfrei-Stainless Solingen-Germany on one side and nothing on the other. I`m concerned that it`s a modern production Henckels stainless, non-Friodur, straight razor.

2. Is that the original box? Does anyone know when these red plastic boxes were used? I have seen these with other vintage Friodurs but I am concerned that it doesn`t belong to this razor.

Any help shedding some light on this will be greatly appreciated.

Also in case I can`t get the link to work the item number is 231070876974

Would love to help you but the link isn't working... What is the item number?

Not that I'd be much help anyway, but the link doesn't seem to work for me...

Sorry about that, I think it should be working now.

I clicked on the link and scrolled down to the listing, if it is the one you are talking about. You might PM Lynn or Glen and ask them about stamped,
unstamped vintage Friodurs. If it is a true Friodur then I'd say you got a bargin. And did you check the SRP wiki razor register to see if a similar one is listed?

I have a Friodur 70 1/2 that came in that same red plastic box and clear sleeve. Stamped on the show side, after the twins, is "Friodur", under that is "Inox - no stain", followed by "Germany" rotated 90 degrees. The back side is stamped with the company name stuff. I bought it new in 1975 and shaved with it regularly until about three years ago when I dropped it - the pic shows the result, sob!



As you can see, that model had some fancy blade decoration back then but, of course, that has no bearing upon how it shaves. I would say that yours is genuine but was produced a little later as a slightly lower cost model and made from a little different alloy. I'd say that you got a good deal since what I paid, in 2013 dollars, was about twice what you paid.

I think you will like it though it might be a good idea to have it professionally honed the first time.


rs,
Tack

It was a little persnickity about maintenance but then I had no idea what I was doing. (If SRP had been around then I could have learned in a few months what took me years to figure out painfullly.) It was always a good shaver and held its edge well as expected of stainless blades.

I have been watching Friodur e-Bay auctions and occasionally acquiring Friodurs for over a year. I also watched this e-Bay auction with interest. The blade of the razor sold appears similar, but is marked differently from my three 70 1/2 Friodurs. The scales appear more white than ivory colored and do not have the word Friodur inlaid into the front scale, although the twins inlay is present. The front shank stamping is different than on any of mine and is not impressed into the steel as deeply as on my razors. The opposite side of this razor's shank is unstamped, unlike any of my 7 Friodurs which are all stamped with a trade mark on both sides of the shank. The packaging looks the same. One of my Friodur 70 1/2 razors has the 70 1/2 stamped on the front side of the tang as does the auctioned razor. The other two have the 70 1/2 stamped as part of the trade mark impressed on the back side of the shank.

I have no information about this particular variation of the 70 1/2, but see no reason to doubt its authenticity. All of my Friodurs shave well, have a lasting edge, and are not difficult to refresh and hone. They also do not rust or stain with any reasonable care. I shave often using a 70 1/2. Enjoy your razor.

I did check the register after you mentioned it with no luck. Thank you for making me aware of it. I will try sending them a message, thanks.

That`s a nice looking razor, it`s a shame it was damaged but I have a feeling I`ll drop one eventually too. At least you got quite a few good years of service out of it. What are you using now? I`m not normally into decoration on the blades but I actually think that one looks very nice. I prefer it to most of the ones I have seen with gold wash. Is it enamel?

Thank you for the information about your Friodurs. The problem is that many of the points you mentioned seem to support my suspicions that it isn`t a Friodur.

The lack of Friodur stamped on the shank, only being stamped on one side, and no Friodur text on the scales all make me very suspicious. If I had purchased it to use it might not bother me quite as much but I specifically bought a mint, unused razor as a collectors item. Oh well, it might turn out to be a very expensive lesson.