Double Duck vs FW Engels vs Ern: opinions

I keep noticing the cult status of Double Duck razors. I'm sure they're great, but what makes them go for well over $200 on ebay? Do they have some magical properties that make them measurably better than any other razor new or vintage? Or are they top level razors that are just priced above all others because of scarcity?

The reason that I ask is because I have an Ern and a FWEngels special that I need to restore. I know that those are highly rated, but I've been curious to hear opinions as to how they stack up against a Double Duck.

Can anyone make good comparisons of those razors? Are they all in the same class?

Old barbers I spoke to on the topic back in the 1980s, when I began collecting straight razors, said the duck and the Engles were their preferred razors, but any Solingen and to a lesser extent Sheffield, were also very good. They did not mention USA made razors.

ME, after shaving with many over the past 7 years, I think they are all good. Some maybe a hair (no pun) better than others. The Engels Special is as good as any duck I've shaved with, and I've shaved with the reapers, wonderedges, and goldedges. Most all of them are good and the lesser known are a bargain many times. IMHO.

I don't think they have magical properties and they certainly aren't scarce. They are darn good shavers that are quality blades that have for whatever reason reached cult status. Then again Ern and FW Engels have reputations as quality razors too. You want a cult razor get a DD and if you want a quality razor that will shave stay with the Ern or Fw Engels.

Bob

Thanks Jimmy. I've been wondering if I should aspire to getting a DD, with the way that people have been going nuts about them, but I want to try to keep the RAD in check.

As I said, I got an Ern and FWE ( both NOS, and tarnished, but never used) and I was hoping that those would be as great as anything else from the old days.

I know there's a lot of subjectivity to all this. I just want to hear about other people's experiences with those vintage razors, since the only vintage razors that I've used so far are Shumates, and they stand up very well to the modern Solingen razors that I use. I still get some of my best shaves from a couple of Shumates that I restored a few years ago. Shumate has got to be one of the most seriously underrated razors.

DD was a shave shop supplier and what made them different and gave them an advantage is they had salesmen who went into shops and sold their razors. Of course the razors had to be quality but when you have a slick salesmen and you got to sample the product you were more likely to buy it. Once the barbers had them they sold them to their customers and that's how the legend began.

I also want to add that I find USA made razors from back then great shavers. Case, Cattaraugas, Torrey, Shumate, Robeson and I'm sure I'm forgetting some great ones. Many of the Solingen razors are equal to ducks ....... Bartmann, Fritz Bracht, Wilhem Mandt, Robert Klaas (kissing cranes) among the lesser known. Merkur and their antecedent Hermes made great straight razors. The Filarmonica are as 'hot' as the ducks, the Henckles Friodurs were real hot for awhile. All fine razors. I've never met a Swedish made razor that wasn't great.

They had to be good to compete. Back then pro barbers were the chief customer base and they shaved many faces back in those days. Get a few and be satisfied with what you have, don't chase the holy grail because it can be a big hole to throw money in. Ask me how I know ....... :o

Don't forget to throw in good old Kinfolks from little valley New York. Mine has the best edge out of all my razors and one of the honemiesters out there swears by them. Tc

Bresnick gave a lot of people what they wanted back in the day. I think that was his key to success. Everything he sold was made by the very same German manufactures they are compared to today. IMO Bresnick held a very high standard for the supplies he sold. With the amount of razors he sold I imagine the manufactures were happy to deal with him. The logo is highly recognizable and stood for quality. The fact that they look cool doesn't hurt the value either. So, the same holds true today as it did back then, everybody wants 1. For me, I love the way they shave and so I bought a couple and that's all I use for the most part. Yes there are other fine razors out there that YOU can be just as happy using. I have a few of those also. Just to keep from being a cult member :<0)

Bresnick was the guy that imported the ducks before Pearlman (Pearlduck) took over. Bought him out I guess. Real good stuff. thebigspendur knows the exact progression. They were Bresduck for awhile too. Speaking of cult followings ........ Puma , and especially the Puma ducks ..... imported by Bresnick BTW.

I have a Bresduck Lifetime that is truly the best vintage shaver I have. It was near mint when I got it and performs flawlessly, holds an amazing edge, and rarely needs touching up. Something about it is just right. Never had the same luck with my Engels blades. Nothing scientific to report, rather simply my observation.

From using American made razors, English made razors, German made razors, Swedish made razors and a Spanish made razor, I can not say any were substandard in providing a very good shave. I have my preferences/favourites mostly based on criteria other than the ability to get the job done.

Bob

Just like Pumas, Dubl Ducks and F.W. Engels had great PR (outside of Germany) and looked fancy (I'd call them flashy, personally). Ern were among the largest producers of (amongst other things) razors at the time, so logically they had a large output which is still obvious by the number of razors around today. All are pretty common.

As far as I know, Dubl Ducks were mainly made for export. They are by no means scarce or rare. In fact, they are quite abundant, yet often in bad shape. Still, a fair number in good to really good condition seem to still be available, even if one merely goes by the numbers seen on eBay on a regular basis (which is probably just the tip of the ice berg).

I own razors from all 3 brands you mention, I have 6 Dubl Ducks as a matter of fact, and to tell you the truth, if you blindfold me and hand me any of them to shave with I would not be able to tell the difference provided they are all well honed.

But remember that most of us SR shavers are in the hobby not just for function but for aesthetics as well. I personally love the look of the Duble Ducks and have paid the high prices they command. But I just love to pull them out of the razor roll and look at them, I confess that I do this several times a week :)

The only man I know who shaved with a straight until his hands became to shaky, is my mother's uncle. He lived in The Netherlands where Solingen made razors were used most. AFAIK he only used Heljestrands that he got from Sweden where he travelled a lot for work. I love my Swedes and gravitate towards them very often though I have many other razors to choose from.

I am not bragging because it was a sickness but ovee 800 razors have passed through my den in the last 7 years.... I now ONLY shave with Heljestrands. The only razor that came close was a Puma #89 Puma Special that I traded or sold to RayG. ALL the razors you mentioned (OP) are fine blades indeed, but make mine Heljestrand!

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Originally Posted by Kees

The only man I know who shaved with a straight until his hands became to shaky, is my mother's uncle. He lived in The Netherlands where Solingen made razors were used most. AFAIK he only used Heljestrands that he got from Sweden where he travelled a lot for work. I love my Swedes and gravitate towards them very often though I have many other razors to choose from.

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Thanks for all the input, guys. That helps.