Thread: Genco = Magic?

i too have a Genco that has become a favorite. It is easy to hone, holds the sharp longer than anything else I have, and gives the smoothests shaves.

Lately I have been enjoying a NOS Shumate extra hollow ground I scored on the 'bay.

It honed up very nicely and shaves extremely smooth. It's my first American blade and it quickly went to the front of the rotation.


I'm quite interested in trying out other American blades.

Originally Posted by JimR

Or are Gencos just magical mystery shavers?

Yep, and for me at least, the Fluid Steel would be the Albus Dumbledore of Gencos.

Let me chime in with Genco De Roma. It is an excellent little razor with very thin and flexible blade and quite nice yet simple design.

The biggest thing i've noticed about my American steel razors is that they're unmatched for comfort & just soooooooo smooooooooth!

Originally Posted by RayG

Yep, and for me at least, the Fluid Steel would be the Albus Dumbledore of Gencos.

an imaginary dead guy who never shaved??? i don't get the metaphor

I've had mixed experiences with American steel. I have:

1. a 6/8 robeston cutlery co. roundpoint with a fairly heavy grind
2. a 4/8 robeson nubak roundpoint
3. a 6/8 geneva spike that is very hollow but has a very heavy spine.
4. a 5/8 green lizard (or salamander - it's the model with a lizard embossed that doesn't say green lizard on it but the model is GL something)
5. a 5/8 round point christenson Brockton razor

The robesons hold an edge great and give a nice stiff smooth shave. Very hard steel. I have a very hard time honing the RCC model, but that's probably a function of the light smile, heavier grind and very hard steel. But when I get it right it's wonderful and holds the edge. The nubak is easy peasy to hone and shave with, but a tad boring at 4/8.

The Geneva spike takes a great edge but that spike is a monster. And it had a ding on the point part of the spine that makes it strop unfriendly, but I think I've fixed that with some sanding. But it's a stiff little guy and shaves real nice, so I'd like to get a square or round point one sometime.

The cattaraugus I just can't get right. It gives a good enough shave that if I shave in the morning I can get through the day unembarrassed, but not a good shave. Can't figure out why I can't hone this right.

The Brockton is interesting - it feels really smooth, almost swedish steel smooth, but I haven't gotten it really sharp yet.

I find solingen razors are the best for me - they almost all take an easy edge and shave smooth and close. But I do think the US steel is harder.

Originally Posted by jockeys

an imaginary dead guy who never shaved??? i don't get the metaphor

Here's a clue: it was in reference to magic