Who's in business?

[fpessanha]

I've a question for all the experts out there. Who's in business? I mean... which companies are currently making razors? I know that Dovo and TI are making razors. I've heard that Boker had resumed production of razors due to market demand. Who else? Any chance of reapearing any old time (or new companies for that matter) companies in the US or in the UK? It also appears that the Wapi people are manufacturing a new Wapi...
Some consistent information would be great... this would somehow help understand if the straight razor is just a thing amongst us or if the companies are getting back on their toes. And, of course, if a new manufacturing company would be viable... By the way... what do you think? Is it viable?...
Thanks!

[thebigspendur]

I'm not sure Boker is actually making them. Some have said Wacker is making them. For a while Henckels was making some but I don't know if they still do. Of course there's plenty coming from Pakistan and China. However making quality blades from scratch it's TI and Dovo and some custom guys.

[Bruno]

I read that Heribert Wacker is the one doing the grinding for Boker. Don't know who forges them though.
Other than Dovo, TI and Boker, it's only customs makers and Chinese / Pakistani crap as far as I know.

I would love for one of the sheffield forges to start making their way into straights again. If I had the money to do so (I.e. I was rich) I would try to work together with Joseph Rodgers cutlery and start a new line of razors under their brand name again.

[fpessanha]

So we have Dovo, TI and Boker accounted for. How about Henckel's are all the "jewels" NOS? And Puma? Or any other, for that matter... Of course there are the suctom makers but those are a world appart. I'm looking into factories.
Pakistani and chinese made razors don't count. When I decide to make a thread to know how's making letter openers, I'll start with them...
I've been doing some minor research and concluded that a lot of the old Sheffield brands are still in business. They make knifes and other cutlery stuff. Maybe there's no interest in reviving the SR just because of a possible fad or maybe there's nobody capable enought to grind and make blanks for razors?...
But the thing is... are we some sort of isolated comunity or the interest in SRazors is growing? Because if it is it just might make the revival and creation of old and new brands economicaly viable... I guess?

[Stuggi]

Problem is that nearly all the Sheffield grinders are dead, and they used to do all their work by hand. Making razors by hand is also a lot more labor intensive than kitchen knifes, and they've probably got machines for making knifes anyway. Remember that razor-grinding used to be the very top of the blade-grinding business. So if they wanted to get into business again they would have to invest heavily in machinery which the competition has already got, or they would have to learn the trade from nearly scratch. Option A produces expensive razors that might be good if QC is good enough, option B produces expensive razors that are probably pretty bad to start of with. Neither is a pretty good business strategy if you aren't a big company that can afford to waste a lot of money and sell products at a loss just to get a piece of a market.

[fpessanha]

Thanks!
This probably means that companies like Dovo or TI - those two that are, indeed, making razors - have never stopped production of razors, have kept the grinding equipment and have been able to pass down the knowledge on grinding as some sort of corporate heirloom? Either that or Duncan McLoud is the chief grinder for Dovo or TI...
I see what you mean...
So, once the brand names from Sheffield, for instance, went out of the razor making business there is no way they can resume production? That's sad... Sheffield steel is good steel for razors. I guess they are busy enough fighting the far-east overflow of crappy metal and trying to keep their positions in the cutlery business and razor making is simply not an issue, right?

[Stuggi]

Yeah, and Dovo and TI has probably also automated their process (no way they would be able to sell completely hand ground blades at the prices they go for)

But Sheffield could get back if they wanted, but they would have to automate like the others and probably also custom-make their machinery (don't think there is a huge market for straight razor manufacturing plants).

[thebigspendur]

Most of the really legendary makers especially the German ones are still in existence making cutlery but not razors. Actually you might find many of the knives with these names are imported out of the orient and they just put their names on it. I don't know what the laws in these countries dictate about how you can claim say made in Germany on a product. Many have cheaper lines and high end lines and higher end ones might be made still in the home countries.

I doubt you will find anyone beginning to make razors from scratch. remember also that most of the old companies didn't make complete razors. They bought ready made blanks and did a variety of operations on the razor and bought scales from scale suppliers. Very few did it all from scratch. To start now means probably have to do it all. very expensive to start up and get experienced people.

[Leon]

Just out of curiosity I asked Henckels if they had new straight razors for sale since I saw a straight razor in their catalog at zwilling.com.
I received an email from Consumer Relations thanking me for my inquiry and saying that their grooming line has moved to Tweezerman and that I'd be contacted through them.
Later that day I received another email from Tweezerman saying how I can buy the new Henckels straight razor:

Regarding your recent enquiry about the straight razor. This line is manufactured by Zwilling J.A. Henckels and now sold by Tweezerman International.
You can purchase them online and view the Zwilling Pour Homme line at www.amazon.com or www.nashvilleknifeshop.com – the retail price is $149
If we can assist you any further, please let us know.
Regards
The Tweezerman Team

So, Henckels is back?

[ShotgunLuckey]

It sure looks like a Henckels

Zwilling J.A. Henckels Straight Razor - Zwilling J.A. Henckels