Thread: Dubl Duck Model Question

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Certainly there are loads of razors out there that shave every bit as good as any duck but collect 25 or 30 of them and see if they are consistantly the same.

Well, the first problem would be to find 25 or 30 of the same manufacturer, simply because the vast majority of Solingen MFGs were so small, whereas Dubl Ducks were mass produced (which is why there are so many of them still around). But seriously, has anyone come across a significant amount of Henckels or Dovo or Böker razors from the era that were inconsistent within their respective line? We are, after all, talking about former convenience items with a narrow profit margin and a saturated market. Logic dictates that similarly successful MFGs must have been producing similarly consistent quality. Not to mention the fact that German guild law (and craftsmen's honour) would demand that, too.

Do not get me wrong, I am by no means saying that Dubl Ducks are bad razors. They are nice razors (except for the scales, which are an abomination in terms of quality). But as with W&B meat choppers, or Filarmonica razors, I would like for the unsuspecting beginner reading this to understand that they are not the be-all and the end-all of straight razor shaving, nor will they make one a better shaver over night. As always, if you can get one at a reasonable price, by all means do. But the current going rate makes them a very unattractive option in my opinion, unless you are a collector.

YMMV, of course,
Robin

Originally Posted by BeBerlin

Well, the first problem would be to find 25 or 30 of the same manufacturer, simply because the vast majority of Solingen MFGs were so small, whereas Dubl Ducks were mass produced (which is why there are so many of them still around). But seriously, has anyone come across a significant amount of Henckels or Dovo or Böker razors from the era that were inconsistent within their respective line? We are, after all, talking about former convenience items with a narrow profit margin and a saturated market. Logic dictates that similarly successful MFGs must have been producing similarly consistent quality. Not to mention the fact that German guild law (and craftsmen's honour) would demand that, too.

Do not get me wrong, I am by no means saying that Dubl Ducks are bad razors. They are nice razors (except for the scales, which are an abomination in terms of quality). But as with W&B meat choppers, or Filarmonica razors, I would like for the unsuspecting beginner reading this to understand that they are not the be-all and the end-all of straight razor shaving, nor will they make one a better shaver over night. As always, if you can get one at a reasonable price, by all means do. But the current going rate makes them a very unattractive option in my opinion, unless you are a collector.

YMMV, of course,
Robin

This is exactly what we are trying to say though Robin, and Nelson and I are collectors and myself I have worked on more DD's than I think anyone else except maybe Lynn has honed more of them... We are saying, or at least I am, that if you find an undamaged DD, you stand an almost 100% chance of having a very consistently good razor, it will hone well, and shave well... Is it the best??? NO I have had individual razors out shave most DD's, BUT not every razor that I have tried of that brand is consistant... Take the Friodur you keep mentioning...Huge inconsistencies between the different models, some smooth, some harsh, some are chippy some easy to hone others are a bear... Not so with the DD's... that is the point I am making, and I think the real reason that they are so popular not only now, but also with barbers back in those days too.. I have actually gone so far as to tell Newbs that if they are trying to learn how to hone go buy a DD and learn the easy way... Now unfortunately everyone knows their value and the prices are nutz, so yes you are right the buy is no longer there...But the consistent quality of the blades is...

Also remember that DD was first and foremost a supplier to the trade very much like Dorco was in Germany and for that reason their scales were pretty pedestrian. It was only through word or mouth by Barbers to their customers that they became very popular. They never had any motivation to make fancy razors with decorated blades or exotic scales. They didn't need to since their wares sold very well as they were.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Also remember that DD was first and foremost a supplier to the trade very much like Dorco was in Germany and for that reason their scales were pretty pedestrian. It was only through word or mouth by Barbers to their customers that they became very popular. They never had any motivation to make fancy razors with decorated blades or exotic scales. They didn't need to since their wares sold very well as they were.

More than one of the old barbers in Newark, NJ told me their favorite razors were dubl duck. I think the ease of getting a shaving edge and the great edge they take was the reason but I guess that goes without saying.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Also remember that DD was first and foremost a supplier to the trade very much like Dorco was in Germany and for that reason their scales were pretty pedestrian. It was only through word or mouth by Barbers to their customers that they became very popular. They never had any motivation to make fancy razors with decorated blades or exotic scales. They didn't need to since their wares sold very well as they were.

Well certainly some of the DD's are quite plain, but the ones with the inlaid names and cute duckies are definitely on the elaborate side of the spectrum. And I must say if all DDs looked like the plain satin wedges I don't think they'd be quite as yummy to so many...

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

More than one of the old barbers in Newark, NJ told me their favorite razors were dubl duck. I think the ease of getting a shaving edge and the great edge they take was the reason but I guess that goes without saying.

Also DD had salesmen who pounded the pavement going from shop to shop selling all the products DD sold for barbers (and they sold just about everything) and I think that made alot of difference introducing barbers to the products. Of course if the quality wasn't there in the end it wouldn't have mattered.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Also remember that DD was first and foremost a supplier to the trade very much like Dorco was in Germany and for that reason their scales were pretty pedestrian. It was only through word or mouth by Barbers to their customers that they became very popular. They never had any motivation to make fancy razors with decorated blades or exotic scales. They didn't need to since their wares sold very well as they were.

DORCO was and still is an independent manufacturer. Their emphasis is now on industrial cutters and they have a factory in South Korea making DE blades. Heribert Wacker makes DORCO brand straight razors today with their blessing.

Bresnick, Bresduck, and Pearlduck were importers for the American marked but did no manufacturing of their own.

Originally Posted by John Crowley

Bresnick, Bresduck, and Pearlduck were importers for the American marked but did no manufacturing of their own.

I've heard that Dovo made some of the last Ducks and the last of the Pumas. It is a shame that we don't know who made the earlier Ducks, C-Mons, Brummels and what have you.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

I've heard that Dovo made some of the last Ducks and the last of the Pumas. It is a shame that we don't know who made the earlier Ducks, C-Mons, Brummels and what have you.

I understand that Heribert Wacker made Puma's at Puma-werk until the early 1990s and then went to work for DOVO making Pumas under contract until he retired from DOVO.

Dubl Duck Stainless Satin Baby Pearlduck can someone tell me about this razor