Thread: Questions on JA Henckles

I picked up a Henckles 75 on ebay.
I was surprised at how delicate and dainty it is.
It's 4/8 and very light.
I touched up the edge just a little (not claimed to be shave ready) and got a decent shave from it.
There probably is some getting used to a light blade. I prefer a bit of weight and momentum to a blade.
Still and all, a nice razor.
Any comments are welcomed.

I like that brand best of all the razors I have, although its tough to say for sure because I also have more Henckels than any other brand. I recently got a 17 Friodur and it is very impressive, but a much bigger razor. I think they are top shelf and shave exceptionally well. The other thing that I like is that they are a little less money than some of the other top shelf brands.

The vintage ones are top of the line razors up there with the best of them. The new ones I think aren't in the same league.

Originally Posted by Neckbone

I picked up a Henckles 75 on ebay.
I was surprised at how delicate and dainty it is.
It's 4/8 and very light.

My only comment is to pass on the suggestion a friend gave to me in a similar situation. It was back when I had the RAD bigtime and I was on ebay. Saw a Merkur NOS- NIB in a large close up photo or two. Seller in Bulgaria and the buy it now was $180.00 or best offer. He didn't mention the size but it looked big in the photos. I offered $100.00 and he jumped on it like a kangaroo. I got the razor and to my surprise it was a 4/8

Now I can shave with a 5/8 but not a 4/8. I kicked myself and thought I'd be lucky to get my $ out of it. I put it in the classifieds twice and the second time around it sold. A buddy of mine pointed out that I need to look at photos more carefully, and if I'm not sure about anything ask.

I made a similar mistake with another razor that was, as it turned out to be, in poorer condition than I anticipated. Same buddy pointed out to me that the issues were visible in the photos listed. I just didn't look at them carefully enough. So if you're not sure, ask first before you bid or buy. Look at the photos provided carefully and if they aren't adequate ask for better photos. My 2 bits.

I know that both Thiers Issard and Le Grelot made quite dainty 4/8 razors. I haven't seen a Henckels though. I used a Thiers Issard one and it was a really good shaver. I guess that they needed to cover all razor preferences. Not everone likes an 8/8.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

My only comment is to pass on the suggestion a friend gave to me in a similar situation. It was back when I had the RAD bigtime and I was on ebay. Saw a Merkur NOS- NIB in a large close up photo or two. Seller in Bulgaria and the buy it now was $180.00 or best offer. He didn't mention the size but it looked big in the photos. I offered $100.00 and he jumped on it like a kangaroo. I got the razor and to my surprise it was a 4/8

Now I can shave with a 5/8 but not a 4/8. I kicked myself and thought I'd be lucky to get my $ out of it. I put it in the classifieds twice and the second time around it sold. A buddy of mine pointed out that I need to look at photos more carefully, and if I'm not sure about anything ask.

I made a similar mistake with another razor that was, as it turned out to be, in poorer condition than I anticipated. Same buddy pointed out to me that the issues were visible in the photos listed. I just didn't look at them carefully enough. So if you're not sure, ask first before you bid or buy. Look at the photos provided carefully and if they aren't adequate ask for better photos. My 2 bits.

I thought that you thought you were wrong once, Jimmy, but when you thought about it again you were wrong.

Now I have doubts!

Regards,
Neil

Being a new guy, I thought 4/8 would be just that with a similar spine to the larger razors. If some thought was put to that thinking, that would the be a clumsy razor.
I can picture this razor being used by a young maiden with a delicate touch.
I'll stop there with that thought.

Originally Posted by Neckbone

Being a new guy, I thought 4/8 would be just that with a similar spine to the larger razors. If some thought was put to that thinking, that would the be a clumsy razor.
I can picture this razor being used by a young maiden with a delicate touch.
I'll stop there with that thought.

I should have added, I don't like a 4/8 because my thick clumsy fingers, large ham hock sized mitts, find it hard to manipulate. The thin tangs twist between my fingers as I'm attempting a pass. Guys not so encumbered find a 4/8 a fine razor to shave with. Just different strokes for different folks.

Originally Posted by Neil Miller

I thought that you thought you were wrong once, Jimmy, but when you thought about it again you were wrong.

Now I have doubts!

Regards,
Neil

Neil, like Tony Montana (Scarface) who said, "Even when I lie, I tell the truth," even when I'm (shudder) wrong ....... I'm right .

A: Henckels

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

..Neil, like Tony Montana (Scarface) who said, "Even when I lie, I tell the truth," even when I'm (shudder) wrong ....... I'm right .

OTT I know, but that is an all-time magnificent movie. The Tony Montana / Al Pacino character was based on the 1930s gangster film of the same name, with Paul Muni, Howard Hawks and Howard Howard Hughes. Paul Muni plays Pacinos role and is called Tony Camonte. There the similarity ends as this one is about bootleg liquor. Tony does become the boss of bosses, though...

Regards,
Neil