Thread: Edelweiss and I

Gentlemen,

My new Boker Edelweiss 5/8" in Bone Scales from Straight Razor Designs arrived in the post today.

It looks lovely, and everything is where it should be.

I plan on shaving with it tomorrow. Then again, I might get up in the middle of the night and introduce my face to it.

It is tempting.

I'll give you my report tomorrow.

Regards,

Obie

Sometimes it would be nice if whiskers would grow faster, so we could shave mornings and evenings. Especially when a new razor arrives.

Well said, keenedge! That's #1 on my wishlist, too

@obie:
Congrats, you bought a great razor. I've got a vintage Edelweiss. An amazing shaver, but looks quite beaten up

What I would like to know: In the German forum, many members complained about the lacking quality of new boker razors. Some say, they are poorly ground, or have a blade geometry that makes proper honing hard or does not allow a lasting edge.

Is that true? Has anyone made bad experiences with new Böker razors?
As many people in the other forum say, I can easily imagine, that Böker simply does not have as much qulified grinders etc., then in the golden days of razor production. But it is not the first time, I read of poorly made new razors made in Solingen. As I don't posses any new razors, I would be intersted if you could confirm the lacking quality, or if its just rumours.

Reading the title I envisioned you serenading your Boker! I hope you enjoy it for a long time!!

Originally Posted by Moleman

What I would like to know: In the German forum, many members complained about the lacking quality of new boker razors. Some say, they are poorly ground, or have a blade geometry that makes proper honing hard or does not allow a lasting edge.

My new Edelweiss shaves beautifully. Fresh out of the box, I experimented just stropping it on 0.5 diamond followed by CrO, and then a good stropping, and I like the shave so much that I don't foresee a trip to the stones any time soon.

Originally Posted by Obie

Gentlemen,

My new Boker Edelweiss 5/8" in Bone Scales from Straight Razor Designs arrived in the post today.

It looks lovely, and everything is where it should be.

I plan on shaving with it tomorrow. Then again, I might get up in the middle of the night and introduce my face to it.

It is tempting.

I'll give you my report tomorrow.

Regards,

Obie

I am sure you will love it. The bone handles are not what I expected at all. They are pretty bulky and provide a great grip and excellent counterweight to the blade. I find this a very nicely balanced razor.

The new Böker "Edelweiss" and "King Cutter" are both very nice razors that anyone would be pleased with.

Originally Posted by Moleman

Well said, keenedge! That's #1 on my wishlist, too

@obie:
Congrats, you bought a great razor. I've got a vintage Edelweiss. An amazing shaver, but looks quite beaten up

What I would like to know: In the German forum, many members complained about the lacking quality of new boker razors. Some say, they are poorly ground, or have a blade geometry that makes proper honing hard or does not allow a lasting edge.

Is that true? Has anyone made bad experiences with new Böker razors?
As many people in the other forum say, I can easily imagine, that Böker simply does not have as much qulified grinders etc., then in the golden days of razor production. But it is not the first time, I read of poorly made new razors made in Solingen. As I don't posses any new razors, I would be intersted if you could confirm the lacking quality, or if its just rumours.

I have yet to see one that was not good quality - but I have not looked at them all either. You are correct that the few companies still making straight razors do at times turn out what we would consider an inferior blade. I think part of it is the Solingen mentality and outlook on straight razors vs. our modern outlook. In Solingen they still look at it as producing a single purpose tool and here in the U.S. in recent years we have come to look upon them as collector’s pieces of modern art; all this while the more proficient older generation of grinders leaves the work force. Another aspect of the periodic problem is the manufacturers’ motivation not to reject marginal blades due to monetary concerns/production costs.

I don't have one of the new Bokers but I do have one of the new Revisors. Thomas, the fellow that owns the company said that he had a staff of men in their seventies grinding and finishing the blades. My copy is as good as any from the past in terms of workmanship. New Dovos are pretty darn good too so I imagine the Boker people are giving it their best effort.

I have a fair amount of the vintage Bokers in my collection. After testing these, there are now 3 more of the new ones there. They really are turning out a nice shaving razor.

Lynn