Thread: Genco Master Barber

Hi! Im new to the world of straight razors. Recently I picked up an old genco razor from an antique shop. It was in rough shape but had quite a bit of potential. It took me about a week to remove the patina pitting and rust but I was happy to discover that the edge was pretty decent.

Anyway, I'm really enjoying the restoration process, but I can't find much information on how to date this particular razor. I've looked online and I can only find information on razors with the genco master barber trademark with two lines next to it, where as mine has three. This leads me to believe that it may be rare or not worth anything at all. Thanks for the help.

Here's some pictures, my phone wouldn't let me upload them

Hi, welcome to SRP.
That is one fine razor, it cleaned up very nice.
I can't help with any information, but I'm certain someone else here will be

That is a very nice clean-up you did there! Well done and please get it honed professionally, as it will give you a reference for shave-readiness and this blade looks like it has zero to no hone wear.

That's some nice work you did there! I can't tell you much about your razor but you can check the razor clubs. They have one for Geneva Cutlery/ Genco (same company if I'm not mistaken). I have a Geneva Cutlery Co.
Check it out, some of the guys with collections of em may be able to help.

Welcome and again great restore job.

Thanks guys, I was really lucky to find one that had so much to work with. I haven't taken it to a pro yet, but I did hit it with a 6k stone and strop. It seems plenty sharp and I was able to get a pretty decent shave out of it (a little bloody my first time, lol). Is there any reason I should have a pro look at it other than peace of mind?

Originally Posted by Drew92M

Is there any reason I should have a pro look at it other than peace of mind?

Welcome! Yes, Welcome to an older and much better way of shaving!!

Nice job on cleaning up that razor!!

As far as sending it to a Pro please do so! It's going to be more than peace of mind, you will then know what a truly shave ready razor feels like and shaves like!!

As far as honing for yourself, Please Wait! You have more on your plate right now than you know! Learning to 'Properly' Strop and Shave, let alone making a nice lather is much more important than trying to learn how to 'Properly' hone a razor! Just ask my dear friend pinklather why he chose that handle!! Well I'll give you a clue, you mix Red Blood with White Lather-------

While I do my own honing (well for the most part) I do have a favorite pro and that's Glen (GSSIXGUN), you will find his edges most excellent, his turnaround quick and his Customer Service second to none!

Also if you could Please Post your location it would be very helpful! There just may be a more experienced member right down the road!

Hands on learning teaches more in a few hours than reading and watching videos for months!

That sounds a little like my first attempt. I'm actually located on base, here at Fort Lee, VA. It would be very nice to find someone around here that would be willing to help me out rather than sending the razor off, seeing as how I'm active duty and need to shave on a daily basis.

Drew!

Thank you for your Service!!

Back in the day I was playing Tag with the Rooshkies on a Nuke Fast Attack Sub!! My boat was the Spadefish SSN 668! It was State of the Art! However it was decommissioned and part of it now may be a paperclip you use !

Drew92M,

That's a nice clean up for your first restore! I find restoring dirty, rusty razors to be one of the most enjoyable aspects of this hobby.

I own some Gencos, and they are all nice shavers. They are some of the better-regarded American from the early 20th century. My understanding is that Genco was the largest razor manufacturer in the US at one point. They appear to have marketed their razors to barbers as there are models called "Master Barber (yours)" and "Head Barber". As such, while these razors are excellent shavers, I do not believe they are really that rare. If you look on Ebay, a Genco can often be found in decent condition for less than $30.

The wiki has some info on your razor:
Genco "Master Barber" 4/8 - Straight Razor Place Wiki

For comparison, I've looked into the Head Barber, and it is a slightly larger blade. Whereas the Master Barber is 4/8, the Head Barber is apparently 6/8.