Thread: giesen & forsthoff

Lynn,

Thanks for the update. Regarding the secondary bevels - could they be an attempt to compensate for brittle steel? The reason I ask is because my Fromm 72R (I know, but I still like it ) which I'm pretty sure is made by G&F actually seems to work better with a secondary bevel. No kidding; I reset to a single bevel and the edge didn't seem to last near as long as when I replaced the secondary bevel.

Thanks,
Jeff

Not really sure Jeff,

They all have it. You can get them to shave OK these days with some work by removing it. You can also get them to shave OK with some work, with tape and keeping it. The same goes for the new Henckel"s and Puma's which I understand are being made by the same source. The jagged edges under low power on the microscope threw me, but they can be worked out for the most part. I am kind of lost on these razors as it seems like they have improved and are close to being decent. I really wish, they would do what ever it takes and just improve them to as close to the vintage production as possible.

Have fun.

Originally Posted by JeffR

Lynn,

Thanks for the update. Regarding the secondary bevels - could they be an attempt to compensate for brittle steel? The reason I ask is because my Fromm 72R (I know, but I still like it ) which I'm pretty sure is made by G&F actually seems to work better with a secondary bevel. No kidding; I reset to a single bevel and the edge didn't seem to last near as long as when I replaced the secondary bevel.

Thanks,
Jeff

Originally Posted by Lynn

Not really sure Jeff,

They all have it. You can get them to shave OK these days with some work by removing it. You can also get them to shave OK with some work, with tape and keeping it. The same goes for the new Henckel"s and Puma's which I understand are being made by the same source. The jagged edges under low power on the microscope threw me, but they can be worked out for the most part. I am kind of lost on these razors as it seems like they have improved and are close to being decent. I really wish, they would do what ever it takes and just improve them to as close to the vintage production as possible.

Have fun.

Yes you say right Lynn, I sell this razors for 2 years and can only say the same thing : the steel seems to be the same as PUMA, and J.A and have the same probleme of Sharpening. You will need to have a tape sharpening stone machine to make them ok. With banch sharpening stones it will take you losts of time ! I have prepared to many GIESEN razors and can only say that they cut well when they are sharp but not like a DOVO . They will need ti improve their steel quality and make them harder I think...

Originally Posted by eleblu05

yeah the old one's a very nice i finally got one

The woman who cuts my hair was given one just like that except with orange scales. I honed it and shave tested it and it was great, really smooth. Hers was a 4/8 size.

Originally Posted by Brighty83

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.



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.

Well if that isn't a blatant bloody bit of pinching Brighty. That's a photo I took of two of my razors! Ya could have at least credited me ya bugger .



Mick

I got a Giesen & Forstoff for a Christmas present. It has a real horn handle and looked really nice, there was a leaflet with it saying it was 'shave ready.' It wasn't. I have shaved with it, re-lathered, re-shaved, and re-lathered and shaved again, The result I got was not a very close shave at all and a very sore face. I have never honed a blade before but I stropped this one for nearly an hour; the shave afterwards was little better than the first time I tried it. I wish I had got the Dovo now.

I have a Timor Hamburg Ring which I bought around a year ago. I sent it away to be honed and received a less than complementary assessment of it from the gentleman who honed it. I believe him completely as he has honed several other razors with excellent results. To be honest.....as a result....I have never even used it ....as the edge feels less satisfactory than the GDs I have honed myself and I am a complete newbie!

I love my G&F (The black one pictured in my last post above). It's a great shaver, has never been a problem with putting on an edge or holding it. It's the only G&F I've experienced, and I don't know where you blokes are coming from with all these problem razors. However, I'm willing for you to send them my way if you hate them so much. Really! Do yourself a favour and send it to me. Even if I don't use them, I will give them a loving home and admire them regularly .


Mick

How old is your GF razor Mick? I own several German Razors from the 1930's-40's that my grandfather left me when he died, they shave great and are nearly 100 years old, I will gladly SWAP my brand new horn handled Timor Hamburg Ring GF for your black handled one if you wish? ;-)

Mine is less than five years old and not for trade. It's a good shaver and those stay in my collection .


Mick