Thread: Hey all. Just bought my first real razor. Does anyone know anything about it.

I have been in Germany for the past few weeks for work, and this past weekend I found a 70 1/2 J.A.Henckels Solingen Zwillingswerk for 20 Euros at a Flea Market in Berlin. Not sure if it was worth it, but looks to be in very good shape.

I've tried looking online to see if I could find anything about it, but just seem to find some basics. Solingen I guess is the town the company originated, Zwillingswerk means twin plant in German according to Google Translate. 70 1/2 appears to be the model, and the logo on the blade appears to be the current, post 1969 logo.

I now need to learn to hone, and will begin shaving with it as soon as I feel I know what to do.

Does anyone have any thoughts on this razor?


I would appreciate any comments.

Henckels razors are generally considered good shavers. That one looks nice. If you have never honed, I would suggest you get someone to hone it professionally and learn to shave first. Honing is another art all together. Probably best left to touching up to start and learning a bit slower. JMHO of course.
Nice grab BTW
Mike

Zwillingswerk means it was made by J.A. Henckels - one of the largest cutlery conglomerates. Their logo is the twins sticky figure (in several variations through the years as you've discovered), hence the brand Zwillingswerk.

It's a good brand and the condition is great, so once it's honed the chances are it'll shave nicely. You're better off having somebody who's already learned to hone to do that.

You need to get a good strop as well as soap/cream + brush if you don't have those.

yes spend the money that you would for hones and get it pro honed , and get a strop ,brush and soap,, learn to shave then later learn to hone,, you wont know its shave ready till you know how to shave ,, its a great razor ,, so you will have a good one to start good luck tc

Looks like it's in great shape, and Henckels has a great reputation. I'm sure it will be a great shaver after being professionally honed. You might try to member services section of the classifieds to find someone to hone it for you.

Henckels are top shelf. I have quite a few premium brand razors and that is my favorite brand. I don't know what the prices are in Germany but I would gladly pay that for that razor. Honing razors while learning to shave is a double learning curve. I agree with the others about getting a pro to take care of that.
Member Services - Straight Razor Place Classifieds

Great find. It looks in to be in great shape. I would also recommend having it professionally honed from someone who has been recommended to you from a member in your area. You will have a much better experience and might just make a friend.

Thanks all. Looks like I found a decent starter... I guess I'm getting a bit over zealous thinking I could just dive right in and do it all at once. The blade is really sharp, but I'm not quite sure if it's quite shave ready. I will take your advice and go to a pro. (at least for now.)

I've been wanting to try this for quite some time, so anxious to get started.

Once again, I appreaciate all the feedback. Hopefully, this will now become a lifelong obsession...

For 20 Euros you did better than good !!....I still haven't bought a new razor yet,
there are SO many good ones out there and you've got one

I have picked up the odd NOS razor, some I have been able to shave with, just a lot of laps on the strop, and good to go. Your one looks brand new, but maybe a bit of corrosion toward the heel? Good advice here, send it out for pro hone. Just a warning...there is no known cure for this lifelong obsession.