Thread: Wacker's

Just a quick one.
I would like peoples opinion on the damascus wacker... you know the one 6/8 buffalo horn.
I have only found old posts about this blade,and would like to know your current thoughts on said razor.
Any info would be much appreciated.
Cheers!

Would like to try one, maybe buy, but they are quit expensive to say the least.

I have shaved with one, but never sharpened one. Review with regards to sharpening/honing in the German forums are, diplomatically put, mixed.

My personal opinion: You will get a pretty looking razor for the price of three or more regular, also pretty looking, razors. Basically, you are paying a premium for the looks of pattern welded steel. Whether or not this gimmick is worth the entry price is obviously a so called YMMV thing.

The scales bear an uncanny resemblance to Thiers Issard scales, and offer high quality and good craftsmanship.

Would I buy one? Absolutely not.

I have found the QC on Wackers to be pretty inconsistent over the past year or so. Would definitely be worth to look at them in person rather than buy blind

It's been inconsistent for years. It's only got even worse lately. If you can buy one in a shop (good luck in finding one), sure, why not? Online? Never - unless you have absolute trust in the retailer. Which, for me, leaves Esbjerg...

Wacker were a welcome alternative 10 years or so ago. Since then, Ralf Aust and Revisor have put razors in the market that equal, or surpass, Wacker razors - and cost significantly less.

If you are lucky enough to find a Wacker actually made by Heribert Wacker from an NOS blank, and with functioning, well aligned scales, that's great. Otherwise, well, not so great. I have owned a few, and have been owning zero for several years.

I can't comment on a Damascus Wacker but I've owned two carbon steel Wackers and I was a little underwhelmed by them. Like RobinK, I know longer own one. I really couldn't find a spot for one in my collection.

Speak as you find - so the saying goes - although I can't speak for the damascus either, my razor goes back about 4 years and is a very nice quality in terms of grind - that's how I judge the workmanship. The original scales were horn and again, decent enough quality in terms of finish apart from the nails used instead of peened rod.

I changed the scales as you can see in the picture - but the razor itself is very much used and enjoyed.

Those are very unique scales, Rob. Any road, that is a "Bismarck" blade, ie a Herkenrath forged 6/8 blank. Yours has a French point and whatever Schorkopf is in English, which looks very nice.

But some people have been attributing mythical shaving capabilities to the Wacker steel, and they simply don't exist. It's all in the grind, and yours looks just great.

Originally Posted by RobinK

Those are very unique scales, Rob. Any road, that is a "Bismarck" blade, ie a Herkenrath forged 6/8 blank. Yours has a French point and whatever Schorkopf is in English, which looks very nice.

But some people have been attributing mythical shaving capabilities to the Wacker steel, and they simply don't exist. It's all in the grind, and yours looks just great.

I should call it the black knight I suppose.

Thank you for the compliments - however I can't find a translation for Schorkopf - please enlighten me.

I always did like his scale choices. His horn esp. His black was pure black with no flaws or streaks and his blond horn was always top notch. Very old school. Must guys prefer mottled and streaked horn now