Thread: Herr Wacker, I wish I had two faces

A few nights ago, after a couple of wee drams of single malt whisky melted away my fiduciary inhibitions, I impulsively decided to buy a razor I had heard so many great things about -- a Wacker. A 7/8 Wacker Od Sheffield "Keilschliff" notch point, to be precise. It arrived today.



I've just finished shaving with it.

It was my first time using anything bigger than a 5/8. My first time using a near wedge. And my first experience with a Wacker. All I can say it WOW! Admittedly, I've only been shaving with a straight for a few months, but it was the smoothest, closest, most enjoyable shave yet. I simply didn't want it to end. But after one pass, there was really nothing left to cut. So, sadly, I cleaned my new favorite shaver, stropped it, oiled it and put it to bed. I miss it already. But at least I know that every time I feel my face, I'll think of my Wacker.

It's actually taking me a lot longer than it normally would to write this post, as I have to keep pausing to feel my face.

So what's my point? I really don't have one. I just wanted to share with someone. Because my wife? She just doesn't understand.

Thanks for listening!

Nice! Shaves from thicker razors should not be discounted! Sounds like a great experience !

Variety is a good thing. You only mention 2 razors, sounds like you have room for 5 more to make a set :<0)

Wackers can be some absolute top-knotch razors, one of my favorite razors is a Wacker (Chevalier).

I appreciate your enthusiasm

Great razor and sounds like a great first shave with it. I don't have a Wacker...........YET!

Glad to hear the review! I have all 5/8 and 6/8 at this point...and a 7/8 that should arrive tomorrow if the postal authorities see fit to bestow their delivering prowess upon me...
I have been a bit nervous about jumping into larger blade territory as I am just rounding my 100 shave mark now and have really caught my stride. I am glad to hear you had such a positive experience as it give me a little faith that the result may not be a rash and a lot of moisturizer.

'Haven't heard of a Kielschliff in 7/8 or Bnotch point. Mine's the no longer avail. (from U.S. suppliers) 6/8 roundpoint. The supply of the Wacker heavy grinds would seem to be drying up. I've had a half dz Wackers & still have 5. I like them an awful lot. They can be cranky sometimes on the stones, but they've always repaid the effort. My luck w/ the 'hollow' blades has not been as good, though I've honed some from others that were quite wonderful. One possible reason is that what he called 'hollow' would likely be considered extra-hollow by many. The ones I put calipers on all measured .0075 at 1/8" above the bevel - which is the same thickness as the Duck Satinedge (6 samples measure). Keeping steel that thin straight can't be easy.

A wacker was the first edge I tried that I could call 'smooth'. It was a complete game changer for me as a noob - and launched a costly pursuit of that kind of edge. I don't think we can expect the fair sex to understand this at all.

Originally Posted by pinklather

...I don't think we can expect the fair sex to understand this at all.

Lol...

Originally Posted by pinklather

'The supply of the Wacker heavy grinds would seem to be drying up.

That would be sad. I understand Herr Wacker scours Solingen to find old blanks to grind to his specifications. Sounds like what he produces is a factor of what he can find. I've read that the steel used for my Keilschliff was 30-40 years old.

Originally Posted by Denvernoob

Glad to hear the review! I have all 5/8 and 6/8 at this point...and a 7/8 that should arrive tomorrow if the postal authorities see fit to bestow their delivering prowess upon me...
I have been a bit nervous about jumping into larger blade territory as I am just rounding my 100 shave mark now and have really caught my stride. I am glad to hear you had such a positive experience as it give me a little faith that the result may not be a rash and a lot of moisturizer.

I had no problem making the jump to 7/8. The angle felt a little different to me, but I just took it slowly and all went beautifully. Good luck supersizing. Before you know it, you'll be looking for 9/8 blades to shave with.