Thread: Revisor vs Ralf Aust

Both, Revisor and Aust produce great razors. Revisor is a larger company though with nearly 100 year of history, Ralf Aust a one man show, making razors for 10 yars or so, maybe more individual. Both companies get their razor blankets from the same company as far as I know and both use an old hollow grinding mashine (C.F. Ern's Hexe) for grinding. I could not found main quality differences between both brands. I would add the company Wacker as choice. The above mentioned quality and production criteria also applies for Wacker. Anyhow you cannot go wrong with one of these, whatever you choose.

I'm going to be in a similar boat, going to Germany for business sometime in the spring. I think I'm going to narrow down by simply who produces the razor I like the style of the best, I don't own any of them, so no preference. One of the worst situations, where your decision can't be wrong...

I have both razors. I can't say that one is better than the other. As I mentioned in another thread, my RA was a more upscale model and I think RA have more upscale options. My Revisors are fairly standard in nature. But they all shave exceptionally well and hone beautifully. Revisor has many configurations. Flip a coin if you can't do both.

Both are great. It really depends on your tastes. RA mainly uses horn, wood and black plastic scales. They are available from SRD which makes shipping and warranty issues a lot easier. Revisor mainly has plastic scales but the variety is immense. They also do gold wash and enameling of the blades which is top notch.

Basically it boils down to what style catches your eye

Thanks to everyone for the input. I think both is definitely the right answer. Not sure why I didn't think of that in the first place. I'll also have to carve out some time to make a trip to Solingen. I looked into it once before, but it wasn't clear how much there is to see at the manufacturers. I'll have to do some digging. Thanks again! Troy

You might be a little disapointed visiting Solingen in regard of razors or knifes.
There is not much left from the older days. Beside visiting some razor manufacturers, if you have made a date by telephone, which is possible or may be possible, there are at least two museums you should consider to visit. Both are not dedicated to razors but mainly knifes and swords and grinding.
The first one is of course the "Klingenmuseum" in Solingen. Mainly swords and knifes could be seen here, aa small part dealing with razors. Very informative is the "Balkhauser Kotten", an old grinding workshop, which was typical for Solingen knife grinders in the 19ths and 20ths century. At least maybe the "Gesenkschmiede Hendrichs" whih shows a good example of a drop-forge in the old Solingen metal industry.

I hone my fare share of Revisor razors and I must say although I'm a vintage Man myself I've always been very impressed with Revisor especially their shoulderless models, and such a doddle when it comes to honing they almost hone themselves.

Originally Posted by hatzicho

Revisor is a larger company though with nearly 100 year of history, Ralf Aust a one man show, making razors for 10 yars or so, maybe more individual.

I was under the impression that Revisor, while not being a one-man operation (I think it's two or three), is a rather small operation as well. In fact, it is the proprietors' side business - they do not make razors full-time. If I remember right, they run a full-time electrical company. Ralf Aust is a full-time razor maker.

I have not handled too many of each, but in regards to the ones I have handled, there was nothing between them in terms of quality craftsmanship. And yes, they largely use the same blanks.

Oh, and for under €250, you can get a 8/8 Revisor. It's a considerable price increase from the 7/8, though (€245 compared to €178), but they are very nice. But then again, they all are very nice. Just like Austs.

Really, it's a coin toss as far as I'm concerned.