Just found an old genco blade for sale what do y'all think about this brand and how can I tell if it is authentic ?Attachment 171258Attachment 171259Attachment 171260Attachment 171261
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Just found an old genco blade for sale what do y'all think about this brand and how can I tell if it is authentic ?Attachment 171258Attachment 171259Attachment 171260Attachment 171261
They were a good pro barber brand. I've yet to see one counterfeited. Add the price of pro honing into the equation. We don't do appraisals, so can't say if the price is right. Do a completed items search for Genco on ebay for what the market is bearing right about now. :gl:
I just bought it but it said shave ready if not then I will have to have it honed right ?
right you are...or hurt your face :(
Lol well thank you sir for that advice I sure don't want to do that
If the seller said it was shave ready than chances are it is. If you haven't shaved with a straight yet give the SRP beginner's guide a once over, if you have already shaved with straights you'll know if it is shave ready when you try it out.
Straight Razor Place Library - Straight Razor Place Library
I have purchased several razors off of eBay that were listed as shave ready, wanna guess how many actually were? For a truly shave ready, you need to buy from some one reputable and known for good work or else learn to hone 'em up yourself. The only ones I trust are listed here in the classifieds.
Yes I do believe I will be able to tell but the only difference is it has a little more of a square point than my current oneQuote:
Originally Posted by JimmyHAD
I would love to start honing I am usually an all in guy when I pick up something so getting honing stones are next on my list if you have any suggestions that would be greatQuote:
Originally Posted by guitstik
Also I cannot see the classifieds for some reason
Past experience with forums is that I have to make a certain amount of post before it is available but not sure how many or if that is the case here or not
Is this an extra hollow master barber? If so, I have one and they are nice little shavers, but mine is a little bloodthirsty.
My suggestions will differ greatly from the majority of those here, but for starting out I would suggest getting three Arkansas stones, coarse, fine and extra fine. You could add the extra, extra fine stone if you wanted but it isn't necessary. Look here for a kit Arkansas Sharpening Stone Kits with 3 StonesQuote:
Originally Posted by Antzgarciak7
I can guarantee that others will chime in and tell you to get the Norton or Naniwa stones, those are all fine stones but I would stick with the natural stones and learn on them before moving on to the more "exotic" rocks. That's just my two cents, now I am broke from RAD overload.
Looks like you will be his broke two cents mentor if he goes that route, stick! :rofl2:Quote:
Originally Posted by guitstik
I personally would consider naturals the exotic stones. Because they are not always consistent and have a longer learning curve, but you are right about one thing; I'm gonna say buy the Naniwas! They are awesome, consistent stones. I would start with the 1k, 5k, and 8k.
If he goes that route all he needs is the Norton 4/8K. The 1K and 12K can come later. There aren't to many razors I haven't been able to hone to shave ready on that combo. Rarely do I hit either the 1K or the 12K.Quote:
Originally Posted by aa1192
I started with Arkansas stones because I had then from many years of knife sharpening. They can put an awsome edge on a razor but they are slow and I could see an inexperienced person having problems. I now use Norton 1K, 4K/8K and a Naniwa 12KSS. I will soon be adding a black or trans Arkansas as a finisher.Quote:
Originally Posted by guitstik
I have the Norton 4/8, but prefer the Nanis. The 4k just has a very rough grainy feedback, but the 8k is great.
They are somewhat on the slow end of the spectrum but that is what makes them good teaching stones. Go slow and check progress every so often and learn what to look for. Someone new to honing won't know how far is to far and fast stones can eat a razor quickly. We had a member here recently that found out the hard way.Quote:
Originally Posted by john3126
thanks for all of the input I am currently doing research on all of the stones listed here.
I know that I will not need one for a while as long as I strop correctly and take care the blade but I still like to know how to fix my own toys so this is all useful
Used correctly and a good stropping technique, you shouldn't need to put steel to stone for a long time. When it gets to the point that stropping has no effect then use a little CrO2 (Chromium Oxide) on the back side of your strop to "freshen" it up. Or else get something like this Vintage Razor Hone | eBay with a little shave soap, light pressure and the proper angle to freshen the edge.
I found I had to lap the 4K side of the 4/8 for what seemed like 1/8" before it lost that porous, grainy feel.Quote:
Originally Posted by aa1192
Once there the change is surprising and it's great to work with.
Smooth Shaving...
MJC, I have lapped well past that point and then some during its use. It is just the feedback of the stone I think or maybe something is off about mine. The Naniwas just have this very smooth, soft sensation to them that I love. As with all things shaving related: YMMV and everyone will have their own preferences. The Norton is a workhorse and got me through a lot of razors when I first learned honing, but if I could go back I would just buy the Naniwas. The only thing I don't like about my Naniwas is my 1k seems to clog up with swarf quickly and needs to be cleaned often. Next time I need a bevel setter I'm gonna try the Chosera, but that maybe forever away. As for needing a 1k... if you have a shave ready razor, no you aren't going to need one yet. If you do buy Ebay razors it's gonna be an excellent investment and really cheap honewise. Sure, it is possible to set a bevel at the 4k level, but be prepared to be there a while.
I bought a 1k king. Seems OK. The price was right for the amount of use it will get.
Gencos are all great quality blades. I have more Genco razors than anyother brand in my collection. Here is a photo of some of them. You will like your Genco if it is shave ready.
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Attachment 171889Attachment 171890Attachment 171891
Genco steel is really good quality. I find it to be a bit more labor intensive to get just right, but once it is, great stuff.
Genco's are good blades, also know as Geneva Cutlery which I believe became Case cutlery.
As to shave ready, they rarely are. For hones, 95% of my honing, a 320 diamond plate to cut/set the bevel, then a 600 and 1200 diamond to clean it up, then a 4000/8000 Norton and some 0.5 micron chromium oxide on strop (50,000 grit) to polish and leather. I have honed thousands of razors and that combo will get you most all the time. Add in a 10K for a few pickier blades. Then if you want to play with things like Coticules, Thuringians, and Escher Stones you can but like I said, 95% or more I dont need them and never had a complaint about the edge on any blades I have honed other than they are too sharp.
Finally got the Genco I ordered to day and it is defiantly shave ready can't wait to use it in the morning Attachment 173699
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Attachment 173701
Fine purchase, sir!
Back to the razor....
I would also recommend a pro-hone. However, I would make sure the honer is capable of blunting the nose(the square point). This will save you alot of nicks and cuts.
Also, slow and easy on the stropping. Bad stropping will curl an edge quicker than I can break wind.
Welcome, bruv.
Good lookin blade! That is for sure the same Genco I have, so watch that vampiric point.
