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Hello- I'm from the U.S. (SC) but currently living in Germany. I'm due to move back to the States at the end of the year. I'd like to get a German-made razor before I head back. I'm considering a Ralf Aust or a Revisor. does anyone have an opinion on these? Or are there other German razors I should be considering? Any help would be appreciated. Oh, and I'd like to keep it under 250€. Thanks! Troy
Both are well regarded razors here, haven't heard a bad thing about either brand. For your price point, the RA might be a better deal.
Hi Troy!
Either the Ralf Aust or the Revisor are fine choices and great examples of Solingen steel. If I were considering a newly manufactured Solingen straight, I'd be looking at either Ralf Aust or Revisor.
Since you're in the neighborhood, perhaps you could pay each a visit and make a decision. Better yet, since every straight shaver should have two straights, save some pennies, and visit both over the next calendar year to pick out a straight from each of them! Trust me my friend, you're in a position to so what most of us straight razor nerds can only dream about. Take advantage :rock:
The obvious answer: one of each. You know it makes sense:rock:
One of each for sure. Wacker makes a nice razor as well.
I argee! In addition of 50€, you can have bothQuote:
Originally Posted by Maladroit
I think it would be incredible to visit Revisor. From the pictures on their web site I would expect it to be quite the shop. I do not know if Ralf Aust has a shop, but living in Germany, it would be a shame to return home with out a tour of the city of blades.
Unless he commissions his razors from China, he probably has a shop.Quote:
Originally Posted by RezDog
:)
Gotta go a long way to beat a Ralf Aust razor. The shoulderless 6/8 with worked back has come up on my radar, but I must sell one before buying another. Sadly there doesn't seem to be a bunch of people buying used razors lately.
You can't really go wrong with either. I have an RA and a Revisor and cherish shaving with both. Money not being an obstacle, I would say one of each. If you find yourself in a pinch, I would choose an Aust over the Revisor based solely on how far your $ gets you. I think Aust gives you just a bit more in options and value for the $. This is not a statement of quality or materials....just what options you get for the same money.
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.;)
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by hatzicho
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.