Thread: Genco Henry X

My wife and stepson got me an antique razor for fathers day. It's a Genco, with NY and Henry X stamped on the tang. Is this a good shaver? It was in great shape, with no pitting or rust on the blade. I brokeout my gunsmithing gear and I cleaned it up real good with some CLP and polished it up with some Flitz, and now my barber has it and is honing it up for me. It's my first real straight. I have been using a Dovo Shavette, which I decided to buy to give straight shaving a try. Now I'm hooked! I'll report back after I get it back and shave with it.

If it's as you described, it should make a good shaver provided your barber knows what he's doing. Be sure to let us know, and post a picture after you get it back.

I will, and my barber knows what he's doing. He's been barbering all his life and he's pushing 70. I know his razors are sharp as hell because he uses them every week on my noggin when I go in for my weekly shaved high and tight haircut (old Marine Corps habits are extremely hard to break). I'll get some good pics and post it up when I get it back. Thanks!

That's a great resource. Barbers like yours have become a rare thing in the states. Most places, they only use shavettes these days. In fact, many (but not all) states have health regulations that require barbers to use shavettes instead of a proper razor.

Having received many straight shaves already, you'll be a step ahead of the curve, since you know what it should feel like.

The Marines ingrained in me the need for the ultimate high and tight haircut, and a buddy of mine (who was a Marine also) put me on to this guy. Andy shaves my head from above my ears all the way around my head, so that everything is completely bald except for the hair on top. The shaved high and tight just always felt so good and clean. Here in Kentucky there are still barbers all over the place that use straights, but like you say, most either don't use razors at all, use a safety, or a Shavette. But, the big difference is that I go to an honest to God barber shop. I don't know anybody at those hair places other than a barbershop that do anything like that. At any rate, Andy is cool. He's been a great friend as well as my barber. I was in a car accident several years ago and was in a coma for 17 days. I spent a total of a month and a half or so in the hospital. It's a long story. I was recovering in the hospital and I guess it had been a month since I had a haircut and I was going nuts. He came to the hospital and cut my hair, and the didn't want to take any money for it. We made him take it, but that's above and beyond in my book. He'll always have my business, and he's excited for me to get into straight razors. He has offered me good insight and advice about it already, and I hope I can continue to learn alot from him. If you ever make it to Elizabethtown Ky (but I don't know why anyone wants to come here), you'll find his shop over on Woodland Drive. I figure he'll keep me from doing something stupid like ruining my razor!

Well, I can't imagine how I'd find myself there either, but if I do, I'll certainly look for his shop.

I had one of those in recently, seemed an excellent blade and took a fearsome edge. I rate Genco's very highly and they are probably my favourite American-made razor.

I've got a Genco Fluid Steel that is a real good shaver. I imagine yours will be good too. If I'm not mistaken Case bought them out and continued to make razors with that brand name afterwards. Not sure what the timeline was but they made a good razor before Case and certainly after.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

If I'm not mistaken Case bought them out and continued to make razors with that brand name afterwards. Not sure what the timeline was but they made a good razor before Case and certainly after.

Right on, Jimmy:

"In 1912, the company was the largest US manufacturer of razors. In 1928, the company changed their name to the Geneva Cutlery Inc. They used the "GENCO" trademark In 1936, W. R. Case & Sons Cutlery Co. purchased Geneva Cutlery Co. and manufactured razors under the Genco name."

melvin

i have one and it shaves great. one thing with the gencos is that they are not as forgiving as a larger blade but they do a better of a better cut i think. but thats just my 2 cents. in a hands of a good barber it should be a great shave. good luck sir