Help me pick...I'm stuck

So....

New razor needed. I like full grinds, and I like big blades. The T.I. I hear is nice and stiff, obviously full grind, and has a lot of fans. The second two are obviously big blades, but I don't know about the grind or the stiffness.

If I could, I would just buy 8/8, 9/8 ot 10/8 Greaves & Sons or W&B's....but nobody seems to have any for sale recenly. So, please vote in my poll, and tell me why you think what you think. Or, better yet, sell me your giant, old, shave ready chopper in good shape!!

T.I. 1/4 hollow in ebony
Le Grelot Series
or

8/8 Henckels Fridour
8/8 Henckels Friodur Scalloped Back Spanish Point w/Rosewood Presentation Case - faux tortoise celluloid : Shaving Shop - luxury classic wet shaving products - straight razors

or 8/8 Wacker "magnum"
8/8 Wacker "Magnum" Carbon Steel Spanish Point - blond horn : Shaving Shop - luxury classic wet shaving products - straight razors

How about 'None of the above' and contact Robert Williams to make you one. For what a TI or a Wacker cost, that should be in the same ballpark.

I voted Wacker. I don't have one ....yet.... but the photos on John's website sure look good. I love TIs as well and I have a number of them and they are all good. A Robert Williams custom would be best, as Bruno said, but somehow I have the feeling that you don't want to wait for a year to get it. :)

I like the Wacker and Henckels best, but since you can't vote both the Henckels edged out. To me, goldwash is not that important, its nice, but not important. However, the Henckels has nicer scales and a beautiful scalloped back. It went to appearance because both blades seemed very similar. I don't like the TI because everyone has one and it seems a bit plain-jane when compared to the other too.

Edit:
Just noticed, the Henckels has scales by Robert Williams. No wonder I like them.

LOL! The really, really, funny thing is that I have a Robert Williams custom that I should be getting the e-mail to submit final payment for any day now. It's only been about 7 months, I think.

These razors are just others that I have been starting at recently, but don't want to get more than one of, as I have the RW coming in.

Any chance anyone has shaved with more than one of these (or similar?)
Anyone know what the grind is like on the Henckels or the Wacker? I don't believe I saw it in the description of either.

Looking at the reflection of the Henckels I think its double hollow ground, see how it splits in the middle? All my singing Solingen razors have that wierd split reflection. Don't know if that means it has to be a full hollow or not, but something I noticed. The wacker I'm less sure about but also seems to have the split reflection look, indicated by the darker line between two shady areas.

I think the Le Grelot is outside your preference dimensions as it's a mere 6/8 rather than of the monster sizes you prefer. I have a midget 7/8 Friodur which I think is the cat's PJs, so my vote goes for that brand, albeit it's of also relatively modest size.

Good luck,

This probably wont help you, but of the three you have listed I am only familiar with the Henkles Friodur.

Some of the guys have mentioned it is a bit more difficult to hone. I found it very easy to hone; and, it was an absolutely great shaver! I say "was" because I gifted mine away to my best friend (he's not even str8 shaving now :confused:).

You need a member who is familiar with all three razors, I guess.

Good luck -

Steve

I voted for the Wacker, I am a big Spanish point fan. In any case enjoy!!

You gotta go with the Wacker. I would love one of these but I need to level off my RAD before I can take that kind of plunge.

Wacker if i had the chance. You just can't trust the French to make a razor properly. Like their cars, things won't shut right & before you know it the trim will start falling off!

I own an 8/8 Henckels Friodur just like that one. It is by far my preferred razor. Stiff, blows the hair away with ease, doesn't rust (I like that!) and the honemeister I use says they are relatively easy to sharpen.

I can't really say, because of the razors listed, I've only used a Friodur (and mine is 7/8, not 8/8). What I can say is that I'd recently gone a long time without shaving with her, and when I picked her up again I fell in love all over. She's a very smooth shaver, she does not flex much, and she has a great edge. I have no hesitation in recommending a big Friodur to anyone.

To choose from, that you have suggested - only TI. These Henckels and Wacker are the same, and are made by one person - Wacker.
I can't say that these razor are bad. But they are so far away from old razors.
The best is, to find good old razors from carbon steel. IMHO.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by manah

To choose from, that you have suggested - only TI. These Henckels and Wacker are the same, and are made by one person - Wacker.
I can't say that these razor are bad. But they are so far away from old razors.
The best is, to find good old razors from carbon steel. IMHO.

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Not true! Heribert Wacker has absolutely nothing to do with any of the Henckels razors and never has.:tu

You can't go wrong with what you have listed. Also, consider a Dovo 7/8's NOS vintage Straight Razor : Double Edge Razor : Shaving Products Supplies : Merkur Safety Razor : Badger Shaving Brush : Men's Grooming Products : VintageBladesllc.com. Its a big boy with a lot of heft and you can have it within days.

Pabster

Thanks for all the input everybody. With the vote being almsot a dead tie, I went with sort of none-of-the above. I am going to buy the henckels blade in the basic scales, and send it out to Glen for some custom ones. I wouldn't want to mess around with the Wacker, and when I get it, I will leave it alone. For now, that nice big balde with some new scales, I think I'll be happy! I'll post pics (of course).

Don't be a follower, be different. Buy a Wacker.

And tell me how it shaves. :) Yes, I'm advocating a Wacker so you can be my...uh...tester.