Thread: giesen & forsthoff

No idea what vintage this 231 is but it honed up easily & shaved well enough to make me think "Our Best" was an apt name.

FYI; Mr Christian Giesen has informed me that all of their "new" straight razors are manufactured on site in Solingen.

Originally Posted by ShaveShack

FYI; Mr Christian Giesen has informed me that all of their "new" straight razors are manufactured on site in Solingen.

I purchased a Giesen & Forsthoff - Timor (Before i read all the bad news about them) and I'm actually quite impressed with the shave.

I don't know if it was just honed really well or my Dovo's aren't however i have nothing bad to say about it and i seem to choose it over my Dovo's when shaving.

I guess i will find out the quality when i need to get it re-honed...

It would be great if someone else can confirm that the new blades are manufactured on site in Solingen (and if mine falls in that category!)

It's marked #570 - its a 5/8 with natural horn (Photo Below)

Cheers,
Chris

This razor has a more Dovo like appearance to it. It may be something new from these folks. I have not seen any of these around. The generic ones with the black tangs that have been in distribution are terrible to hone, don't shave well or hold a decent edge in my opinion.

Have fun,

Lynn

Originally Posted by Lynn

This razor has a more Dovo like appearance to it. It may be something new from these folks. I have not seen any of these around. The generic ones with the black tangs that have been in distribution are terrible to hone, don't shave well or hold a decent edge in my opinion.

Have fun,

Lynn

Thanks Lynn,

Would anyone have a photo of the 'generic ones with the black tangs' just so i could have a look, compare

p.s. Lynn, i purchased one of your Dovo's the other day so i should be able to see what a real honed razor feels like cant wait! i just hope i don't round off the edge once i get it hehe

Edit: I think i found it. let me know if its worng, the blade dose look a LOT like mine though


Also i found this about the steels they are using now.

Steel: Ernst Krebbs KG, Solingen, Germany
115CrV# carbon steel, Rockwell Hardness 56-57.

How dose that compare to dove or other brands... i remember reading somewhere the Dovo's hardness was around the 59 and a minimum of .5% carbon although i cant find that again to confirm. I guess not that it really matters as it all comes down to how the product preforms.

Hello Chris,

The above picture is the G+F entry level Timor (Black Plastic Scales) where the tang is unpolished. Your G+F Razor DE-LUX is a new forging because the G+F is laser etched into the tang, rather than stamped, Some manufactures are going this way and they say that there is a chance that stamping into the tang may damage the razor....

FYI the DE-LUX and the TIMOR SPECIAL are the same blade only the etching is changed to denote the scale material the DE-LUX has wood scales and the TIMOR SPECIAL has celluloid handles.



Here is their Site:

http://www.gf-solingen.de/

All the Best
Sam.

I recently (last Nov.) bought a Timor G&F Timor #306 that I had a really hard time honing due to not being experienced at the Rolling X's, and the grind on one side of the razor definately had a bow to it, leaving the toe and heel thicker on one side than the center (if that makes sense).

Once I semi mastered the rolling X I was able to finally get a bevel set and hone the razor successfully. Once that was done, the shave was as good as any I have honed.

Now having said that, I have to date only shaved with it once. So I cannot address how well it holds an edge.

I do know that I tried about 10 times to hone that razor before I got an even bevel and a sharp consistent edge.

I love my 6/8 Timor #306 for it's looks and simplicity. I hope it turns out to be worth what I spent on it, as I have only ever purchased 3 non-vintage blades for my collection. (fingers crossed).

It was relative in price to an entry level Dovo, so I was ok with the price.

I do not own a vintage G&F.

Just my 2 cents!

Mike

Okay the one in the pic with horn scales is a deluxe stamped 570. I'm waiting for a hamburg ring in horn stamped 571 that has not been pre honed. what do the stamps mean again? Lynn, can I send you mine to hone please!?

Timely resurrection of this thread........

I have been testing the newer Giesen or Timor razors the past couple months to see if they have gotten any better. Half received under low magnification had almost jagged edges. All had secondary bevels or micro-bevels. All took significant bevel resetting and were able to be honed. They are nicer shavers than the ones from a couple of years ago, but not by much and only after considerable effort. Non were shave ready out of the box. I hope these folks keep trying to improve, but I still can not recommend buying them to anyone.

Have fun.

Thanks alot for the input Lynn. Do you know how the edge holds up in shaving after all that work re setting?