Thread: New J.A. Henckels | Cognitive Dissonance

In other words... buyer's remorse.

When I locate the cable for my digital camera, I'll post some pics of the unboxing, but I received my new Zwilling J.A. Henckels 5/8" in the mail today and I was most certainly not excited when I opened the box. I was looking for a nice Henckels for daily use, and while I see vintage ones on eBay often, I just don't really trust the consistency of eBay razors, so I bought one of the brand new ones.

I was initially drawn to the simplicity - this seemed like a solid, no-frills blade that would do well for daily use. But this thing just feels cheap; reminds me of my DOVO "Best Quality" (the first 'real' razor I ever bought), only it came at more than double the price. Blade feels similar, and the cheap plastic scales are an eyesore. At least the pin job looks decent, but overall I was severely disappointed.

Who knows... I'm going to put it to the finishing hone tonight. This thing had better shave better than it looks in person. Henckels: Get it together. You have a reputation, for Pete's sake!

Here's the stock photo of what I got.

I hope it works out for you!

Ouch.. hope the shave makes up for the quality of the razor. Good luck!!!

I am really interested to read about your results. I have been curious about these new Henckels razors.

I even started a thread about them awhile ago:

http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...ls-razors.html

From what I have been reading, these new Henckels razors have been disappointing. There are rumors that Dovo maybe manufacturing these razors for Henckels, and that is perfectly fine if the quality is there. Of the new Henckels razors, people seem to have be more luck with the Friodurs as opposed to the Twins, but still the impression that I have been getting is that the whole line is somewhat disappointing. This is kind of sad as I had really high hopes about these.

I hope this razor turns out great for you!

AltShaver,

I actually read your thread prior to ordering my twin, and based on Glen's observation (essentially that there was little difference between old and new), opted for the new as I assumed there would be more consistent quality there.

Having just come back from the hones, I'm now "cautiously optimistic." I could feel a big difference between this and my cheap DOVO pretty quickly, and the edge off the 12k looked pretty good. Sliced (not popped) arm hairs off easily; so I may have been too quick to judge.

Until tomorrow morning...

We await your shave report with baited breath. Twice the price? Seems like today's market, they would be more competitive...there's Revisor to worry about.

Originally Posted by MrDavid

I actually read your thread prior to ordering my twin, and based on Glen's observation (essentially that there was little difference between old and new), opted for the new as I assumed there would be more consistent quality there.

Having just come back from the hones, I'm now "cautiously optimistic." I could feel a big difference between this and my cheap DOVO pretty quickly, and the edge off the 12k looked pretty good. Sliced (not popped) arm hairs off easily; so I may have been too quick to judge.

Until tomorrow morning...

I am sorry you are not enjoying your new Henckles as much as you anticipated. It's too late now but if you weren't pleased with the quality of the razor upon first inspection I would have sent it back without delay. Now that you have honed the razor you probably can not return it. Lesson learned.

Next, from what I have observed over my time here on SRP most people here try there best to provide good information and not steer anyone astray. The straight razor journey is a very personal experience which is different for most of us. For those of us that have been around for a while we have come to know that the exact same setup for one person may or may not work for the next. For all reading this post, we (SRP members) can only offer our impressions and perceptions of shave gear. Your experience may, and probably will differ. In the end you are responsible for your own decisions and purchases. As you indulge in the sport more and more you will develop a sense for what works for you and who's suggestions best fit your style and needs.

Lastly, I have found that if I am impressed with a razor I give a little extra to it when I hone it. It is not intentional but a natural occurrence. Other days I may produce a better edge and the day before or the day after. A honed edge is not an exactly precise measure of quality but is in fact the last and most obvious when we go to shave. I have a Puma Inox that kicked my but
on the hones. It must have been several tries before it reached my lever of a smooth shave. From a honing perceptive that razor sucks but if I offered it to most people here it would be gone in a flash.

Bottom line. Be responsible for your own actions but take into account the advise of others with more experience. If you don't like an item return it before altering it and move on with life. If an edge on a straight razor is not where think it should be go back to the hones or send it to a honemister that has been providing the service for a long time compared to others. And lastly, enjoy the shave and the straight razor experience!

Originally Posted by MrDavid

Henckels: Get it together. You have a reputation, for Pete's sake!

Well, maybe they're cashing in the reputation the vintage razors gave them without carefully checking if the quality of the new razors lives up to the vintage ones.

I wonder if these "new" Henckels are being made by someone else and the guys at JA H. are just cashing in on their boutique name.

Pity if so.

That is to bad guys. When I bought my new Boker king cutter it was after I had read some reviews on the new ones. My only gripe was no jimping.
The shave was outstanding.

I ran across a Henckles model 14 8/8's that was in excellent condition.
On a one pass WTG shave it is my top preformer.

Thanks for the review. I will not be buying any new Henckles unless they turn things around and I see good reviews consistantly on them.


Silver2