Thread: Giessen & Forsthoff razors.

Gentlemen,

Recent discussions re these cheap razors, brand new at $88 for their best model 571 6/8.Their has been various comments on it, (It's on our razors to be avoided list) maybe should be re-visited.

I have one that came out of the box with geometry problems. I have no issues recommending that people buy something else. I don't think they are a value. It seems that I am not alone in this experience.

Originally Posted by RezDog

I have one that came out of the box with geometry problems. I have no issues recommending that people buy something else. I don't think they are a value. It seems that I am not alone in this experience.

+1 I've never owned one but have heard many times that they are sub-par razors at best comparable to a Gold Dollar.

-1 I like and still shave with my example of the much-maligned modern Otto Fromm 72R razor, which I believe is made by Giesen & Forsthoff. I would like to see reviews of the current production of G & F razors. (And would appreciate it if those reviews aren't quickly removed from view on this forum.) After being tested these razors could still be considered not worth the trouble by most, but if they have improved it would be good to know.

I have many razors in my collection, both modern and vintage. By comparison my G&F razor is sub standard. I don't think that you should have to pay for any razor with geometry issues. Those issues make it a serious pain to hone, the only thing that saves it from the dust bin is the steel is ok, not great but ok. Take a top shelf razor for a spin then a good condition average vintage blade for a spin and if your blade is as nice as mine then you will see why they are on the junk list. Not that I think that Lynn's opinion s the end all be all, but he has honed more modern razors than likely anyone else, his stand is he does not accept them for honing. That too has to say something. There are many others that have poor opinions of this brand. Mine is but one opinion, but has the backing of many similar opinions so collectively it has some weight and value. I am glad you like yours and thumbs up to you. Mine still sucks.

I'm with Rezdog on this - I had two and both were very difficult to set a bevel on. Once set, they appeared to be OK but if I was honing for a living it would need a premium price before I'd accept one.

I haven't had the "pleasure" of seeing one in real life. I have, however, seen plenty of pictures.
So I say, keep it on the list of razors to be avoided. You might stumble on a decent one, but the probability of one with issues seems too high.

May not have any bearing at present but back in the day G&F made good tools.

Originally Posted by Ozarkedger

May not have any bearing at present but back in the day G&F made good tools.

I agree.

I have a vintage G&F TIMOR "Blue Steel" that is both easy to hone and an excellent shaver. Out of the thirty or so razors that I pick and choose from to shave with, there are but three that are full hollow grinds. That TIMOR is one of the three. The rest of the blades I use are pretty much big, older Sheffields.

If you can find a vintage G&F in good shape, then you will have a nice razor.

Manilla was beautiful city when I was there in '72. Olongapo was, different for lack of better words, than anything I'd ever seen.

The parts of the Phillipine Islands that I was able to visit were gorgeous and the people were wonderful.

Things did get rather crazy when Marcos declared martial law in '72. That wasn't a pretty sight.