Thread: Wonderedge question

I know wonderedge/lifetime are the top of the line dubl duck razors. Wanted to ask users of the wonderedge are there any other razors that you find match its shaving ability? Any other makers that made a straight using similar techniques, heat treating, and steel as the wonderedge? I am thinking blades like the m***k 30-33 and such come close but thought I would ask the thread. I may or may not get one eventually but I do have a mk 30-33 maybe 133/40 something as well as a nice Japanese straight whenever time passes and I see a good deal.

No magic in the Wonderedge. Supposedly cryo treated but who knows. What makes them desirable is they give a great shave and are easy to hone and they give many shaves between honing. Those are a rare combination. Many many razors shave just as good though.

Dubl Ducks are decent (mostly) full hollow Solingen-made razors in fancy looking scales, no more than that (apart from being quite common in the US).

Best regards,

Pieter

I've had most of the ducks at one time or another and IME the Wonderedge was a bit more difficult to sharpen. (mine was an ebay acquisition and not shave ready) TBH I favor the Special and the Goldedge for the quality of the steel more than the Wonderedge. Years ago on the Yahoo group Lynn Abrams praised the shave quality of the Wonderedge, and rightfully so, and then everyone wanted one.

So the prices went through the roof. Seven to ten years ago a pristine Wonderedge might bring $500. I'm not sure if they're that 'hot' an item nowadays. Anyway, if you can get one at a reasonable price give it a shot, but I personally wouldn't pay a premium. BTW, IIRC the Henckles Friodur are also said to be cyro hardened but they are stainless.

“Years ago on the Yahoo group Lynn Abrams praised the shave quality of the Wonderedge, and rightfully so, and then everyone wanted one.

So the prices went through the roof. Seven to ten years ago a pristine Wonderedge might bring $500”


That and because Ducks are notorious for cell rot, few of them remain. It is rare to find one without rot.

They are shavers but nothing exceptional or better than any good Little Valley hollow ground razor.

I have had several models of Dubl Duck razors. I can see no difference in the shave quality from one to the other. The Special no. 1 seems to sell for about half of the others, which in my mind makes it the best of them. There are several others out there that shave like a dream. A bargain razor that shaves like a dream but often does not sell for much is the SRD razors, all made for Sevrine R Droescher. I may have messed up his first name.

Yes, the DD No.1 Special shaves as well as another high end model DD I have and that does make it the bargain of the DD series. Oth the DDs do not seem to shave any better than any other Solingen made razor with the equivalent grind that I have. The again I am a bit cynical about razors with an internet rep and high price tag in regards to actual shaving ability.

Bob

I have all 5 of the razors that you mentioned and quite honestly my MK's are better shavers and keep an edge better that my Wonderedge or Lifetime. I have 2 Bresnick's and 23 MKs if that gives you an indication of my preference. The Swedish steel is hard to beat. Start with a MK*31 and you'll be pleased, I can assure you.

You might also consider a Filarmonica Sub-cero. Great shavers, easy to hone, and they seem to be more readily available than Dubl Ducks. S.R. Droescher's are also fine razors, and almost any Japanese western straight will please you if you don't have one yet. I found a Nichiri frameback on the bay in excellent condition (no hone wear) for under $50 shipped.

Good luck expanding your collection of straight razors!

I've honed all those Ducks even owned a few NOS Goldedge nothing special about them they are a decent razor and they shave OK and the grind and finish is very good, I never felt much love for mine and the reason I sold them.