New Boker razors

Hey guys I covered this info in the brotherhood site a while back but don't mind covering it here the Boker Co. is indeed making straights again with the help of Mr. Wacker. They look very nice but have a high price point in my opinion here is an email I received from Boker a little while back when I contacted him about the origins of these razors.


I am glad I could help and you are satisfied with the information I could provide.
As to Mr. Wacker: Yes, it is true that he is helping us a lot to get back into the manufacturing of straight razors.
It is 2 generations that Boker has not manufactured this highly sensitive product. So there is no know how available within our staff. The grinding is the most critical operation as you know. Mr. Wacker is probably the best in town as far as this craftsmanship goes. So, we are happy that we can learn from him.

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Originally Posted by Leighton

If that is true, then we are not experts.

Pure marketing ploy and clearly erroneous.

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I dont know about 'cheap' blades, but I have looked at pics on SRP that were posted by members that showed the steel of a razor blade actually being deformed over a thumbnail.

The idea is that this type of grind takes alot of skill to achieve. An ultra thin grind like this also produces a relatively fragile blade that may have trouble lasting for generations in the wrong hands.

Personally, I have never held one of these fine grinds in my hands... although I am very interested to try one out.

It is my understanding that the craftsmen who make blades like this are few and far between... with most of them being deceased; taking their craft with them.

Also, I've never heard the terminolgy of 'axes' being use to describe a blade. That doesn't mean this terminology isnt used, though.

Well, I have had a Boker "Picadilly" and now I have a Boker "King Cutter".

Both vintage blades and both very high quality shaving instruments.

I've owned and just sold a modern Wacker razor and it is also a quality shaving instrument.

So I for one wish Boker every success in trying to return to straight razor production.

If you do a search on www.ebay.de and search for"rasiermesser puma" you will see some new "PUMA" razors. If you look closely, the stainless one is made by the same people that are making the Stainless Solingen blades on www.rasurpur.de

Again, Im sure there will be lots of ridicule by those who dislike competitive change, but I really find it all quite encouraging, just so long as the quality is good.

The other thing, the more medium quality stuff there is out there, the higher the vintage blades will appreciated.

Take a lesson from me and stick with the vintage razors. Not only are they fantastic as shavers, they go up in value just as long as you look after them.
This doesn't tend to happen with the modern stuff because the factory prices tend to put a top on the price a razor is worth.

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Originally Posted by Whiskers

I dont know about 'cheap' blades, but I have looked at pics on SRP that were posted by members that showed the steel of a razor blade actually being deformed over a thumbnail.

The idea is that this type of grind takes alot of skill to achieve. An ultra thin grind like this also produces a relatively fragile blade that may have trouble lasting for generations in the wrong hands.

Personally, I have never held one of these fine grinds in my hands... although I am very interested to try one out.

It is my understanding that the craftsmen who make blades like this are few and far between... with most of them being deceased; taking their craft with them.

Also, I've never heard the terminolgy of 'axes' being use to describe a blade. That doesn't mean this terminology isnt used, though.

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The blade bends because it is a hollow grind. Nothing fancy about it. They're saying that if your razor itsn't hollow ground or extra hollow ground, its crap. That is pure BS.

I think Bokers statement, or translation of their statement is a bit 'off the mark'. I can see what they mean though about very finely ground or "extra hollow ground" razors. I think they were the final evolution of straight razors during the era of their widespread use.
Something else I've noticed, I have seen old razors that say "extra hollow ground" or similar statements on them, when they are clearly not.
Were these makers trying to get the public to buy their out dated, heavy, hard to sharpen razors by making false statements on their products? Even though today we enjoy the heft of heavy grinds, the average punter in the past would have struggled to make them keen at home. And don't forget, they only wanted a shave!
I wonder if the ability to produce a very fine (I mean thin) razor wasn't within the capabilities of many cutlers/grinders?
I'd imagine they are really hard to grind that fine too.
Here is a challenge, could one of the custom makers copy a Gotta 120 :D
Saying that, I think Dovo and TI still produce "Singing edge" razors:hmmm:
M

Talk about coincidence. Our Public Works director (my boss' boss) knows I'm into straights and gave me a Boker catalog, and in this catalog is a picture of their thumb test.

Attachment 23603

In it you can see (I hope, this is a photo of a photo) the deformation his thumb is causing. The question is does this really prove quality?

I have both a new King Cutter and the damascus with the fake ivory scales. Both are very well made and shave great.

The ivory scales on the damascus razor looks a lot better than they do in the catalog pictures I've seen.

if wacker is making the blades, why not just go get a wacker?

to me it doesnt seem like a real boker because its not being made by boker's guys. its wacker with boker name.


thats just me, i think they look beautiful tho.

I took a look at the new Boker site. Now, as a person with little experience, here are my thoughts. First, they are expensive as are the Dovo, TI, Puma, and other new razor manufacturers. To me they are much too expensive. That said what are you getting for the money. I do not believe for a second that any of these new companies are a bit better than W&B, Rogers, Genco, Maher and Groshe or many other English and American brand razors. The idea is to get a good shave. Even if you want a new razor, the idea to get a mid range razor costing in excess of $200 from these makers is absurd. As for the grinding and needing know how, any reasonable person knowing metals will know these are going to be ground with a computer run machine most likely. From what I have read here, TI is having quality issues ( and someone recently contacted me about honing a new one for them thought the salesman said it wasn't necessary), Puma appears to be doing well, and Dovo is just the biggest name out there in my mind. I don't particularly swear by their products, nor do I use anything they make except their strops. I started with their basic razor and have since moved on. So for those who want a new razor, by all means spend hundreds of dollars adn buy a new Boker, Dovo, or other new brand. All you will get is a razor that needs to be honed (if not pre-honed) and at best a great shave. As for me, I will take my $10 restores (bought off ebay) or other cheap razors in the classifieds by some of the sellers and get an equal or better shave than you will get spending hundreds.

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Originally Posted by straightcrazy

:rofl2: ROTFL! One razor for your whole life! That's rich! Sorry, maybe I'm the only one (not) but there just seems to be something about straights that once it's in your blood, well... I guess I'm preaching to the choir here. Really funny joke though, thanks for the laugh. Regarding the post though, I'm not sure the new stuff is better or even as good as the old stuff. Maybe I'm nuts but my new DOVO Bismark almost seems... warped. It's been a pain to hone and I'm still not sure it's shave ready to my liking. Is that sacrilege to say something bad about DOVO?

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I said you could theoretically use one blade for the rest of your life!

You know, if the person is poor and cannot afford dozens of cool razors like I can. ;)