Thread: NOS Genco?

So I won this auction.

Vtg Geneva Cutlery Corp GENCO Straight Razor Shave Barber Shaving Vintage Old | eBay

It was a stupid low starting bid and a very nice ending bid for 25 bucks. I really sprung on it because it was so clean and almost looked like it was never honed even. On one side the spine has no hone wear. On the other there is a kinda bevel and some hone wear that ends exactly where the bevel ends. The scratch pattern looks to rough and erratic to be from a home and really looks like it was from a grinder. I am also guessing it is from a grinder because the spine before where the bevel is has zero and I mean zero scratch pattern or hone wear and it lines up exactly something I find hard for a self shaver or a pro barber to have maintained. Also it is stupid ridiculously clean. I have the razor now and any dark spots or what may look like scratches in the ebay pictures are just from dust or reflections from the person taking the pictures.

I really want to hone it up and shave with it but am resisting the urge before I can find out for sure if it is NOS or not. I would like to take some pictures that clearly show the bevel and spine wear and all that stuff but I am not very good at taking pictures. I have my phone camera which is a 16MP Samsung GS4 and I have a Nikkon Coolpix 7500. I can't really remember what kind its my wife's camera and I don't really like it because it is really difficult to understand all the settings.

If any one can tell from the ebay pics if its NOS or can tell me how to take better pics that would be greatly appreciated. I plan on using it no matter what. I mean whats the point of having something if your aren't going to use it for its intended purpose you know. I just want proof that it NOS before I start blabbing and saying it is. I have never had a never been used razor except my Dovo from Classicshaving.com but that was honed before I got it and it didn't look like this one.

From what I have read NOS means wrapped in original paper in the original box. It looks like an unused razor but either way it is only good if you hone it and use it.

Nice razor with no visible wear. Tape the spine, hone it up easily, and enjoy it!
Little used or unused Gencos are out there, reasonably priced. One of the best-shaving deals left in vintage, IMO.
I scored a few pretties last month. Paid double what you did, but not complaining a bit!

NOS is a retail term having nothing to do with condition. It simply means it's a new item that has never been sold before. It may be pristine and sealed in the original wrappings or it maybe be a rusty piece of junk. There is the term "like new" which is similar to NOS but it might have been used at some point but never sold retail.

Either way that's a nice razor.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Either way that's a nice razor.

+2. like Tom and spendur said, great deal on a first class shaver.

There was another thread latley on a NOS dorko (was a beautiful razor that one) and the chap took it to the hones.

Someone pointed out that in them days razors came truly shave ready and all it probably needed was a good strop on linen and leather before use NO honing.

If it is new and never been used maybe you won't have to hone it ?

Well then based on the definition that thebigspendur gave then no it is NOS. It definitely was not used before. I did remember reading somewhere about razors back then just needing a stropping and your good to go. I tried this and it would have shaved but not like what I wanted it too. I took it to the hones with a taped spine and set the bevel. Then I used a coti with slurry. My coti is usually pretty fast with slurry, usually the slurry turning dark gray after 25-40 laps. Not so on this sucker. I remember hearing NY razors' steel was pretty hard but I have another genco that is pyramid brand and its not as hard as this one. I think I must have done 50 laps before the slurry even started to turn gray. Not once did it turn dark grey like it does with my other razors. I shaved with it today and it was a nice crispy close shave. I am going to take it to my arkie tonight and finish her up. I can only imagine how much slower the ark is going to be with such hard steel.

I also won this auction too but haven't received the razor yet.

A Pair of Old Shaving Razors | eBay

I am not going to keep the DE and will probably just give it to this guy at work. I have enough DE's as it is and I never use a single one. My other and first Genco that I have that I mentioned earlier I won from the giveaway here and it is my best shaver and has gotten me addicted to them.

I still can't believe how clean that cream colored Genco is. Definetely one of the best options for a beginner on a budget.

I would not consider a rusty piece of junk, an NOS razor wrapped in the original wrapping or not.

Every NOS razor I have purchased has been in the original box wrapped in original tissue with no hone wear. I have taped and honed them all and put into rotation. I guess it depends on why you are purchasing.

In my opinion NOS is all about condition.

According to TBS’s definition unless you bought it from the factory, it’s not NOS?

Well, if it was bought from the factory then it is no longer 'stock', unless purchased by a dealer for resale and never sold.
I prefer mint or near mint if one is qualified to judge condition, of course. NOS is used to describe many things which are in the original box and not ever used, even in spite of shelf wear and rust, corrosion, warping, etc which occurs in the box over time/conditions. In any case, the eyes must be educated to see wear/condition. We seem to go at this again and again, but as long as people are such, tis no controversy, only descriptive words used by.......people! JMO