Which stainless to buy?

In reference to my recent post about benefits of stainless razors, I finally decided to buy a stainless.

I've been looking for a vintage Henckels Friodur in Ebay, but the prices are bit off of my budget for NOS and mint-condition razors.

I had impression earlier that Thiers-Issard makes stainless razors but I guess this was a misunderstanding, since I haven't actually found a single stainless produced by them.

Anyway, I'm looking at these modern razors, all priced under 130 EUR (about $180):

Dovo All Stainless:
Groot aanbod aan scheermateriaal in De Messenwinkel - DOVO - Mat roestvrijstaal -5/8

Dovo, unknown model (says "Best Class", #43 inprinted on the razor, or something, but I cannot quite identify this). The price is too good to be true since it comes with a Dovo strop:
DOVO Rasiermesser Setangebot 2-teilig Edelstahl -

Revisor 6/8 stainless (their only stainless model to my knowledge). This looks cool, but perhaps a little too cool for my preference. I prefer solid, all-steel razor, a'la Wapienica.
6/8

Which one would you recommend? Are there perhaps other obvious candidates that I missed?

Might I make this recommendation? A little more than your looking to spend, but it's a heck of a razor:

7/8 Henckels Friodur Square Point - black plastic : Shaving Shop - luxury classic wet shaving products - straight razors

Neither of the Dovo razors is stainless, just the scales on them are. Do not buy a razor with steel scales because it's extremely unbalanced.
The stainless blade that Dovo makes is numbered 41.

Look for a vintage Hess 44 as well, they are easier to find than other stainless razors like dubl duck or c-mon

Thanks for the answers, guys!

I forgot to mention I'm located in Finland, EU, so ordering from USA means I have to pay VAT and customs on top to the price of the razor. In the case of that $239.99 Henckels, I would pay bit over 90 bucks extra, not counting postage (!) That Henckels looks terrific, though!

Are you sure only the scales of the Dovos I mentioned are inox? That's not what the product information says. I know this is the case with Wapienica, though. What comes to the unbalanced handles, you are probably right: I love my Wapienica as a shaver but it certainly is extremely unbalanced.

I'll keep an eye of the vintage razors you recommended. Hopefully Ebay of UK or Germany will give me some results one day.

Yes, I'm sure :)

Hess is an american company and even though their razors were made in Germany it's probably harder to find them in europe. I find them smoother than Friodurs though. You should be able to find Friodurs in europe, probably in Germany, that's were the US sellers get them from, and few years ago there was a guy, I think his ebay name was manyrazor who had them on a regular basis. Those were not the vintage ones though, the grind is a bit different and they're lighter, they're the same as the shavingshop. Get a vintage one if you find it in your price range.
I think I had a george butler stainless, the only stainless out of sheffield I've seen - very nice shaver too, but may be rather hard to find too.

BTW stainless puma - among the worst stainless I've tried.

If you jump onto ebay Germany and type rasiermesser rostfrei into the search area, you'll get some good options from Dovo, Puma and Burgvogel Solingen. I had a great stainless a couple of years ago that I picked up on ebay US. It was just branded as Rust Less. It took a great edge.

I can recommend this seller.

If you want a pristine Henckels Friodur he has them. Some have hone wear that doesn't show well in the photos but nothing too serious. When they say it is sharpened by a specialist, believe it. Mine is the keenest razor I own.

If you think you don't want to wait for delivery from Japan, I didn't.
YMMV.

gugi: Thanks, I'll take your advice on those modern Dovos. It seems that manyrazor has Friodur 5/8 for $139 (free shipping) in Ebay: Straight Razor J A Henckels Twinwork Stainless | eBay. Only problem here is that this is from 70s, as you indicated, not true vintage if I understand correctly.

I also bumped into these in Revisor's site, the price is around $130 for both, any opinions on these?
Carl Schlieber: Messer der Woche
Alcoso Solingen: Messer der Woche

Hart: Thanks, I sent PM to japannippon if he can deliver the cheapest razor shave-ready (it is currently not shave-ready according to the item description). The price is so good that I think I could take it despite the customs and taxes.

Note that the one from jappannippon is a 4/8. I am not aware of how to date the friodurs by years, so if manyrazor knows that his are from the 70s that shouldn't discourage you - the ones from the guys who don't know may be from the 70s or the 80s or the 60s.

Carl Schliepper is very good brand, but I am not familiar with their stainless.

My order of preference would be the one from manyrazor, then the ones from revisor and lastly something from jappannippon but not the small one. Looking at the picture from Hart the tip looks very strange - may be just the lighting and really bad perspective but based on that picture I wouldn't buy the razor, unless I can verify that the hone wear at the tip is the same as at the heel.

Of course, if you can find trustworthy comparison between friodurs and a stainless schlepper the later may be a better choice.

If you make the assumption that all the stainless razors are in good condition with no defects, I personally would not think there is much difference in quality from any of the well known Solingen brands. I have a Hess, a Friodur, a Schulze and a Herder stainless razor. All these stainless razors shave well and appear to be quality blades.

Bob

I have a Ralf Aust 6/8 Stainless which is a great shaver, and I imagine may be cheaper for you in Europe than it was in the US...and it was had for a decent price here from SRD.

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Originally Posted by gugi

Yes, I'm sure :)

Hess is an american company and even though their razors were made in Germany it's probably harder to find them in europe. I find them smoother than Friodurs though. You should be able to find Friodurs in europe, probably in Germany, that's were the US sellers get them from, and few years ago there was a guy, I think his ebay name was manyrazor who had them on a regular basis. Those were not the vintage ones though, the grind is a bit different and they're lighter, they're the same as the shavingshop. Get a vintage one if you find it in your price range.
I think I had a george butler stainless, the only stainless out of sheffield I've seen - very nice shaver too, but may be rather hard to find too.

BTW stainless puma - among the worst stainless I've tried.

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I have two Friodurs and they are both wonderful razors. They take a great , smooth edge and shave exceptionally well. I don't think I'd ever part with them. But if I were interested in a new stainless, I'd try the Revisor since I'm so impressed with the two normal steel razors I've bought from them.

I have some Henckels Friodur razors. The first couple were bought before I knew they were stainless. After I found out I bought some more. At first I had trouble putting an edge on them when the original owner's edge wore off but now I've figured it out and think they're wonderful shavers. I'm not familiar with other stainless razors. It probably doesn't matter because we're talking about quality razors in this thread. The respondents are very knowledgeable.

I am still trying to choose a nice stainless razor. Not too many vintage ones to choose from, although couple of nice Hess 42s and 44s have slipped past me (they post to US soil only).

I've been looking the following Friodur for weeks if not months now: K367 Shave Ready Straight Razor 72 1 2 J A Henckels Solingen Germany | eBay. All seems to be in order to me, but I just can't help wondering why nobody takes it, discounted price and all? To me it seems there's only one razor here, although the seller has other similar items.

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Originally Posted by joemonco

All seems to be in order to me, but I just can't help wondering why nobody takes it, discounted price and all? To me it seems there's only one razor here, although the seller has other similar items.

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I never buy round points any more. Nothing wrong with them, I just don't care for them. The price is decent for what it is but many shavers don't want to spend that much. I see the seller has many feedbacks and 100% rating so, if I wanted that razor I would go for it.

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Originally Posted by joemonco

I am still trying to choose a nice stainless razor. Not too many vintage ones to choose from, although couple of nice Hess 42s and 44s have slipped past me (they post to US soil only).

I've been looking the following Friodur for weeks if not months now: K367 Shave Ready Straight Razor 72 1 2 J A Henckels Solingen Germany | eBay. All seems to be in order to me, but I just can't help wondering why nobody takes it, discounted price and all? To me it seems there's only one razor here, although the seller has other similar items.

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That's who I bought mine from. It may be that he is in Japan that puts some people off. I received mine in just four days. It was exactly as advertised and very much shave ready.
It really seems to be everything you want.

I think the original two you were looking at, the Dovo's are stainless. I'm not sure where Ivan is getting the not stainless from. Both are plainly marked. One says Innox on the blade and the other says stainless on the neck.

Personally I have an Aust Stainless and it's a great shaver and it's reasonably priced.

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Originally Posted by thebigspendur

I think the original two you were looking at, the Dovo's are stainless. I'm not sure where Ivan is getting the not stainless from. Both are plainly marked. One says Innox on the blade and the other says stainless on the neck.

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Yes they are, I was mistaken. Didn't see the inox on the blade and the stainless on the shank and misread the number off a carbon-steel Dovo.
All 41, 42, 43 are stainless blades noted in Dovo's catalog.

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Originally Posted by joemonco

I am still trying to choose a nice stainless razor. Not too many vintage ones to choose from, although couple of nice Hess 42s and 44s have slipped past me (they post to US soil only).

I've been looking the following Friodur for weeks if not months now: K367 Shave Ready Straight Razor 72 1 2 J A Henckels Solingen Germany | eBay. All seems to be in order to me, but I just can't help wondering why nobody takes it, discounted price and all? To me it seems there's only one razor here, although the seller has other similar items.

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I find that japannippon is funny that way. I watch his stuff, and I have purchased several items. I think his premium on price for many items scares people away, but if you watch long enough, there are deals to be had. A super nice 472 1/2 Friodur ended yesterday with no bids (starting at $128) - it seemed like someone would have grabbed it (I almost did, but I bought a different one :)).
Long story short, don't be afraid to buy from him, but DO ask questions. He tends to just put boiler plate descriptions.

I ended up grabbing a square point Friodur 472 from japannippon: U431 RARE Straight Razor 472 J A Henckels Solingen Germany | eBay. It doesn't come shave-ready, though, but I asked if he could do it for me for extra payment.

Let's hope the Henckels delivers, thanks for helping me out, guys!

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Originally Posted by joemonco

I ended up grabbing a square point Friodur 472 from japannippon: U431 RARE Straight Razor 472 J A Henckels Solingen Germany | eBay. It doesn't come shave-ready, though, but I asked if he could do it for me for extra payment.

Let's hope the Henckels delivers, thanks for helping me out, guys!

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I don't think you will be disappointed. And at that price, I don't see you doing any better.

Heh, that's the same razor I bought from him but you got a better price!
Mine was wonderfully honed though. What made me decide on that one was the decorated spine, despite the point which bit me the first time I put it to my face.:o

You guys! The razor arrived today! It arrived from Japan to Helsinki in just 3 days! (But was sitting in Finnish customs for whole 6 days!)

Here's a picture. More info coming soon in separate thread. Thanks again!
Attachment 167981

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Originally Posted by joemonco

You guys! The razor arrived today! It arrived from Japan to Helsinki in just 3 days! (But was sitting in Finnish customs for whole 6 days!)

Here's a picture. More info coming soon in separate thread. Thanks again!
Attachment 167981

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Same thing happened to mine but was moved along without delay and I got it in four days total. Same wrap with text too. Anyone know what it says?

Attachment 168039

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Originally Posted by Hart

Same thing happened to mine but was moved along without delay and I got it in four days total. Same wrap with text too. Anyone know what it says?

Attachment 168039

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No idea. Having studied Japanese alphabet years ago, I am still unsure if it is actually upside down in our photos, or not...

Hi, do you happen to know what the ## stand for in Henkels? What does #50 stand for? I have 72 1/2 and I love it. Want to buy #50; the price us great, but have no clue what it means, and the pic doesn't say much

Numbers dont necessary mean anything. Sometimes the same numbers have different grinds and widths. But some numbers on certain brands pertain to certain razors.

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Originally Posted by ibixon

Hi, do you happen to know what the ## stand for in Henkels? What does #50 stand for? I have 72 1/2 and I love it. Want to buy #50; the price us great, but have no clue what it means, and the pic doesn't say much

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72 1/2 is round point and 72 is square point for example. 472 is the same as 72 but has spine work, while 72 should have gold wash.
As you can see from those examples styling has to do with the numbering as all of the above are, IIRC, 13/16 (or 6/8 depending where you measure from)