Thread: Buy American!

The best straight razor shave I've gotten yet was from a Genco, and my Torrey is no slouch either. Both are great shavers.

I got hooked on Genco's, Ontario's and Geneva's. For mass produced razors they still shave great after decades of use. They hold their edges with little maintenance. I have a Jerry Stark in transit. I am very curious to see how his razor performs compared to other US razors. I have German and Mastro Livi's but I guess growing up in upstate New York, I am fascinated with the NY razors.

Originally Posted by kelbro

Resetting the bevel on 62 Rockwell steel is a pain but once you get there, these blades really hold an edge.

What jumps at me is the fact that you had to reset the bevel on a brand new razor.

My first American razor was a long tailed shortie Hart Steel custom with cocobolo scales. I was disappointed in the finish. The cocobolo scales didn't have the pores filled and were rather rough. The makers name had inconsistent etching, strong and dark to light and the Hart Steel logo was put on crooked. I would not have purchased another except for the fact that their custom line had some very innovative and striking blade designs. My second Hart Steel was a thinned paddle tang custom square point, one of my most visually appealing razors. Once again the scales were finished subpar, but the overall look of the razor won me over.

I don't want to seem too harsh on Hart, but I expected a better fit and finish at that price point. Both razors are fine shavers and I really enjoy using the thinned paddle tang one.

I am interested in adding a semi-custom or custom American to my collection in the future.

Originally Posted by Martin103

What jumps at me is the fact that you had to reset the bevel on a brand new razor.

That would concern me. I have only bought three brand new and only one of them has needed anything more than a light 12,000 and the strop.

Originally Posted by Martin103

What jumps at me is the fact that you had to reset the bevel on a brand new razor.

The factory edge was nice but they tape their spines to hone. I don't so I needed to tune it a little.

Originally Posted by kelbro

The factory edge was nice but they tape their spines to hone. I don't so I needed to tune it a little.

Is it personal preference for you Kelbro? If so I get it. You can always set Your bevel on Your razor no matter where you get the razor. Remember it is your face that you are shaving.

Among my vintage American razors I have a Northfield (CT) that I love and use regularly and C.F. Wolfertz & Co. (PA) that I used a lot for a while there and enjoyed very much. In fact, I should call that one back up into the Bigs and put something else on the DL for a while.

I love the shaves from my Hart razors. It's a daily Hart Steel straight razor shave for me. I always liked the Le Grelot and Wade and Butcher 1/4 grounds, so I must just be a 1/4 ground fan. I too reset the edges from the taped angle, for ease of maintenance. There was absolutely nothing wrong with the factory edge, just a preference in maintenance.

I was so scared to hone my first Hart Steel that I used it for many months just stropping carefully and it did great. I took a deep breath when I finally did take the hones to it, but it all worked out well with help from this forum's extensive archives. For some reason honing an old Wade and Butcher or Le Grelot didn't make me nervous in that way. They are all great straight razors, so it doesn't really make sense, but so it was.

Originally Posted by xiaotuzi

Among my vintage American razors I have a Northfield (CT) that I love and use regularly and C.F. Wolfertz & Co. (PA) that I used a lot for a while there and enjoyed very much. In fact, I should call that one back up into the Bigs and put something else on the DL for a while.

Did you know that the Wilfertz factory was powered by dogs?!!!