Thread: Review of Genco purchase from SRP member the wanderer

So, after much tense waiting, I finally received my Genco Henry's X 5/8 spike from the wanderer (for the original post from the classifieds, see Genco Henry's X 5/8 spike point, 3/4 hollow - Straight Razor Place Classifieds )

From the top:

Transaction:
Smooth, easy, and the seller was a pleasure to exchange emails with. He showed generosity and the true SRP spirit with a few tips and some helpful offers along the way; your milage may vary. More importantly, he was also quick to reply to questions! Overall, I know I will be buying something else from the wanderer eventually.

Shipping:
Received tracking number in an email, and was able to track shipment all the way to my front door. Certainly a distraction from work as I sat and refreshed the tracking page, but a real relief for someone who has lost things in the mail before. Razor arrived slipped in it's case, and then wrapped in the invoice, and then inside of a cushioned envelope. While packing was certainly not overdone on, it was far above what I expected considering I was buying from a private party and not a store.

Actual Razor:
The Genco is a beaut! The scales are in terrific condition, and the spotting as specified in the article was, in fact, there. However, it came off after a few passes with my Jeweler's Rouge Cloth (pictured underneath the razor).

The hinge pin was incredibly tight; perfect and pleasurable to open after dealing with my loose, defective TAOS, and an older Genco Navy issue that has it's own issues.

Visual inspection showed that the blade leaned to the left (tang towards me, point facing away, blade closing away from me) just like my other Genco, which may reveal some hinge pin tightening prior to shipping, or due to previous use. This was mentioned by the seller!

There is slight hone wear along the spine, but is almost barely noticeable.

Things the seller forgot to mention:
The case! While not unhappy, I would caution the seller, or buyers, to ask about the case. I was not expecting one, and was pleasantly surprised! The case is leather, with what appears to be medical tape reinforcing the ends.

To those who would complain about it, please keep in mind that the point of a case is so that the razor is not banged up; a beat up case is an indication it's doing it's job!

Other than the tape, the case is in terrific condition. I may attempt to remove the tape and refinish the leather, as there is enough base for a cleaning and polishing.

Here are the pictures of the razor, the first being of the razor in the case:


Out of the case, and next to it:


One side:


The other:


Overall, I am very satisfied with this razor.

This review is not just of the razor; the transaction with the seller is important, and I honestly enjoyed speaking to the seller.

Until next time, happy shaving.

Karl

thanks for the good word.

Sorry about the leaning toward the left scale, I thought sure I had mentioned it.

If I remember correctly, that particular case was missing the ends, but it came in that case, so it left in it.

I'm glad you like it, and I hope it shaves you as well as it has me.

Yep, the case is missing the ends; oh, well, time to take apart that leather jacket lying around!

Also, I forgot to mention that the razor came honed and stropped! Talk about shave ready, the only thing better would have been the shave itself, shipped priority.

Karl

Originally Posted by midgho

Visual inspection showed that the blade leaned to the left (tang towards me, point facing away, blade closing away from me) just like my other Genco, which may reveal some hinge pin tightening prior to shipping, or due to previous use. This wasn't mentioned by the seller, but the lean is not enough to bring the blade in contact with the scales.

Actually, he DID mention it in the listing. I clicked the link to the original listing and I found this:

" Blade leans slightly to the left side, so care must be taken when closing."

I find it odd that you both used the same descriptive term to describe it. Perhaps you both subconsciously remembered that line from the listing?

Well, SRP seems to have eaten my post. I reiterate:

I am guilty of reading too fast! It was mentioned in the ad, I apologize.

The shave was terrific! It's beautiful, almost like the first day I got a perfect shave.

I have edited the post to indicate.

Just wanted to let you know, I was able to straight the pins and the lean is gone!

Glad to know it shaved you well. I must be doing at least something right in my honing then...