Thread: Otto Fromm? Really?

Gentlemen,

Someone sent me a 5/8 Otto Fromm to hone. It is pictured below in the blackened shank next to mine, which is a sweet razor. The one sent to me showed the name stamped or etched on both sides of the blade. Those of you familiar with the Otto Fromm name know it as one of the fine Solingen razors of bygone years. It doesn't take long to put a beautiful edge on it.

I knew immediately there would be a problem honing the razor and knew why, but proceeded to hone it just for the challenge. Now, I don't consider myself a gift to the honing world, but I do all right. After all, I've had three of the greatest teachers anyone could ask for: Lynn, Randy and Sham.

After two hours, I managed to put some sort of an edge on the razor, but not much compared to that on my own Fromm.

Here is the question for you, gentlemen: What do you think the problem is with this razor?

The one you can't put a good edge on is new production by someone who bought the Otto Fromm name to use. I say new production because of the way the name is put on the razor and the new style nail head pins.

Bob

Forgot to add that the new razor does not say Germany or Solingen on it so who know where it was made and what the quality really is.

The older vintage Otto Fromm are very nice razors and also take a very nice edge. The new'er Otto Fromm are nowhere near the same quality and are mostly a hit and miss when it comes to honing as they can be very tricky. The end result is and OK shave but nothing really to get excited about.

Originally Posted by BobH

The one you can't put a good edge on is new production by someone who bought the Otto Fromm name to use. I say new production because of the way the name is put on the razor and the new style nail head pins.

Bob

Forgot to add that the new razor does not say Germany or Solingen on it so who know where it was made and what the quality really is.

Well Bob your absolutely right that the newer production of Fromm razor are pretty much garbage, Like Obie i have the same razor The Fromm 72 and its a wonderfull razor that takes a wicked edge.

That said the newer razor does have The Made in Germany but on the blade not on the tang and they are easilly spotted compared to the originals.

Gentlemen,

Keep your thoughts coming.

We should get it added to the not to buy list then.

Originally Posted by Martin103

Well Bob your absolutely right that the newer production of Fromm razor are pretty much garbage, Like Obie i have the same razor The Fromm 72 and its a wonderfull razor that takes a wicked edge.

That said the newer razor does have The Made in Germany but on the blade not on the tang and they are easilly spotted compared to the originals.

Martin,

Thank you for the photo; my photography isn't the greatest. Yes, that was the razor sent to me to hone.

Gentlemen, keep your thoughts coming. And newbies, please stay with this thread.

Originally Posted by Martin103

Well Bob your absolutely right that the newer production of Fromm razor are pretty much garbage, Like Obie i have the same razor The Fromm 72 and its a wonderfull razor that takes a wicked edge.

That said the newer razor does have The Made in Germany but on the blade not on the tang and they are easilly spotted compared to the originals.

Sorry, there was no photo of the blade markings, I was looking at the tang for Made in German or Solingen.

Another thought is that regardless of it saying 'Made in Germany" it may merely be assembled there from parts brought in from who knows where. Lord only knows what the technical definition of "Made in" means in these days of global free trade. I mean what level of skill would it take to assemble a straight if given the two scale halves, wedge, blade and a couple of those new nail head pins with washers. I might even be able to do it. I am not saying this is what is happening but I really wonder sometimes considering what has been said in this thread of the quality control being wildly variable.

Bob

The Original razor is a 72. The new one is a 72R, R must stand for Rubbish or Reject

Gentlemen,

You are all correct. Thank you for your responses.

This thing is nowhere near the original Otto Fromm 72 in quality. When the owner sent me an e-mail to hone the razor, I asked about the brand and was told Otto Fromm. I always ask about the razor brand before agreeing to hone it, because recently there has been a run on Kriegar and some other low quality razors around town — and I have refused every time. I knew of this "fake" Fromm, if I may call it that, but forgot to ask the person to give me a description of it.

When the razor arrived, the blade was jammed into the scales so hard that it took some work to dislodge. Still, I took the challenge to hone the nasty thing. Big mistake! Yet I am glad I made the attempt to get a first hand experience in honing another low quality razor.

My first was the Gold Dollar. Good heavens, what an experience in futility. First, when I wiped the blade with a cloth, the etching on the blade smeared. Came right off, just like that. What's this? After that, it was like mud wrestling with a gorilla. Eventually I put some kind of an edge on it, but I think that would have offended even the gorilla.

The Gold Dollar is already on the forum's "no-buy" list. I will propose to the gentle moderators to have the "fake" Fromm join it on the list. Thank you, TrilliumLT, for the suggestion.

I think newbies should be especially weary of such low quality blades. I, too, think this "fake" Fromm is only assembled in Germany, if even that, but where it comes from is anybody's guess.

And there so many fine straight razors out there. Oh well . . .