Thread: Looking for a nice 7/8 square point

kcarlisle,
the Fridours are some of the most popular razors around. They shave great and come in two sizes 7/8 or 8/8.

I have 2 of these razors. A spanish point from shaveshop and a round point from ebay. First is 8/8 and the 2nd is 7/8 Both are fantastic shavers. Yes they are stainless. Hold an awesome edge. Scales suck but for the price, rescale it.

Originally Posted by kcarlisle

Holli4pirating,

I was just about to send you a PM, but since you responded, I'll just ask you here. I'm still interested in the Henckel. Especially, since it's only a third the price. Do you know anything about them? I see it says it measures 5 7/8. Does this mean only in length or do you know for a fact it's a 7/8 blade? One of the pics shows the tang being stamped "No stain". Do you know if this is stainless or carbon steel? I am kind of stuck on carbon steel because of how easy it is to hone. I know it takes a lot more care to keep carbon steel clean and free of water spots but that's just my preference. Please let me know what you know about it.

Thanks!

Originally Posted by nicknbleeding

I have 2 of these razors. A spanish point from shaveshop and a round point from ebay. First is 8/8 and the 2nd is 7/8 Both are fantastic shavers. Yes they are stainless. Hold an awesome edge. Scales suck but for the price, rescale it.

Yup, the stock Friodur scales are very plain and cheap. But no need to have it rescaled, just buy one with custom scales. Shaving Shop has a wide selection of these, and very nice too. I love mine...

Originally Posted by kcarlisle

Holli4pirating,

I was just about to send you a PM, but since you responded, I'll just ask you here. I'm still interested in the Henckel. Especially, since it's only a third the price. Do you know anything about them? I see it says it measures 5 7/8. Does this mean only in length or do you know for a fact it's a 7/8 blade? One of the pics shows the tang being stamped "No stain". Do you know if this is stainless or carbon steel? I am kind of stuck on carbon steel because of how easy it is to hone. I know it takes a lot more care to keep carbon steel clean and free of water spots but that's just my preference. Please let me know what you know about it.

Thanks!

Sorry, I went to bed last night. I have had a bunch of those Henckels, and they are nice shavers. My understanding is they are from old Henckels blanks, but the grinding is new (not done by Henckels). Same for the scales. Personally, I don't like those scales, and all the ones I've gotten have had pretty rough pinning - but the pins can be rounded off with steel wool or on a buffer, so that's no biggie.

I'm 99% sure those are 7/8 blades. There are also 8/8's from old blanks that can be found. I have no idea what the 5 7/8 refers to. Those are stainless - I am pretty sure that all Friodur razors are stainless. I don't know why there is this conception floating around that carbon steel is so much easier to hone than stainless steel - that just isn't true. There are some minor differences when honing, but you could do the exact same things to a carbon steel and stainless steel razor and get nice shaves off both. The real difference is getting the last little bits out of the razor, and not everyone would notice that difference anyway. I don't really think there is any difference in razor maintenance, either, but I'm not about to leave razors out with water just to see. I take equally good care of all my razors and that's that. At least that's my opinion on the difference between stainless and carbon.

BTW, +1 on Revisors. I don't know if they make a 7/8 blade, but they have some beautiful 8/8 square points. I love how Revisors shave.

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

My understanding is they are from old Henckels blanks, but the grinding is new (not done by Henckels).

Those are stainless - I am pretty sure that all Friodur razors are stainless.

Yes, the Friodur line are stainless. Cryo hardened too, if I'm not mistaken.

As for the grinding, on his website John states that they "have been recently ground by one of the few remaining Master Razor Grinders of Solingen". I take this to mean one of the old craftsmen, not some apprentice. I'm also pretty sure he is not referring to Heribert Wacker; John is quite fond of him and I'm sure he would name him if Wacker was grinding the Friodurs.

FWIW I have a couple of The Shaving Shop's 7/8 Friodurs and they are among my favorite razors. Actually they are my go-to razors. Were you to choose one of those, I don't think you would be disappointed. The plastic scales are, well, basic, and certainly unpicturesque, but they are functional.

good luck, good shaving

I have heard many, many nice things about Revisors and seems it's highly recommended...The site Dylan shared with you is great. I think they do make 7/8...I'll be in the market to get me a vintage one...I have not found one that I liked yet...but, no rush

As for the Friodurs...I have a few, even one I bought from John with plastic scales...Here's what I am planning to have done to mine with Max (mind you, mine is a 7/8, spike point):



Now, this looks more like it...There are many others here (aside from Max) that can rescale yours if you wish.

Whether you choose a Henckels, a Revisor or any other recommended str8, make sure they are shave ready.

THIERS ISSARD make this one with bone scales, at thiersissard.co.uk.

Some of the guys here have them, I know Obie does and swears by it!
Bone scales too, and its 7/8 at the widest point. I love the worked spine.