Thread: giesen & forsthoff

It can be done, but so can be accomplished with a gold dollar. Do you really want to to spend 88$ on a mediocre razor?

Well, I bought the 6/8 G& F a year ago, it was hard but once honed is lovely. I bought it's brother 4 weeks ago, once again hard, but the end result is a nice shaver. The reason I bought a 2nd was the fact that it was a good razor. Simple. They are in my rotation because they work. The razor I have bought is not a Gold Dollar. I assume you have had a gold dollar in your possession and only lost 20 bucks. I have avoided the gold Dollar.... good luck mate

I have honed a few g&f razors for others and wasn't impressed. I form this opinion based on the quality of the grind, finish, shave quality etc. when compared to other brands. I have no doubt that the decision to add Modern production G&F razors to the list of brands to avoid was not made on a whim, but on experience.

Any additions we make to the list are based upon the experiences of many of our members over time and the experiences of our resident honemeisters.

In addition to the qualities mentioned don't forget one of the most important, how long it holds it's edge.

I have two #571 6/8 natural horn. One I bought a year ago, 2nd four weeks ago. Both were hard to hone, but with persistence and skill, it can make a great shaver, as both of mine are. As to comparing it to a gold dollar, each to their own. You don't need a degree to hone razors, just patience and persistence based on good advice and common sense. All this BS about 'Grand Masters of honing,' is a bore to me, sure it takes a while to learn the skill, but lets put this in perspective. We are sharpening razors. That's it, not brain surgery.

Originally Posted by Badgister

It can be done, but so can be accomplished with a gold dollar. Do you really want to to spend 88$ on a mediocre razor?

Dead set Badgister, the G & F is in a different class than a gold dollar. I have only put the year old one on a touch up once on over 25 uses, there is nothing wrong with them, really mate. If you can't hone it yourself, fair enough, buy something else. But the truth is I have two in my rotation, and I get great shave from them both. In fact I have to make an indelible mark on the oldest one so I know! I also don't hone for others and have no motive or cart to push. I know my limits, and I also have a dozen highly recognized and prized brands which I compare the G & F, Dovo, TI, Dorko, Modoso, Robert Klaas, Othello and others. In my humble opinion, gents, if you can't get the G &F shave ready, it's your impatience in the honing process. Just my view. Bare in mind, I have no issue with people who hone for others, I simply say that we aren't about whose edge is the best, who's razor is a mirror....It's only about the quality of the shave.....say no more

Bobski,
I am glad to hear you are enjoying your G&F razors and that they compare to your other highly prized razors. If you are getting as a good a shave with them, then my hat off to you.

Thanks mate, I swear, I'm getting a good edge on them both. Today I shaved with a Modoso, that I keep isolated to prolong it's edge. Because the G & F have a rough reputation, I tend to use them (The cheapies) more than the 'brand' name razors, so I use them frequently, sort of waiting for failure. The 1 year old #571 works fine....can't explain it. If your a honer, ie, someone that can sharpen a blade, then have a go at it. You can then enter the world of honing stones.....god help us all....lol

Thanks,

This razor requires patience,, lots of it. Might take a couple of long sessions, but time well spent on the 1K setting the bevel is the key.If you have the time, breadknife it and reset the geometry your self, then you will know it responds to bevel setters. Bob

I always respect the opinions of others, especially when it comes to Straight Razors. So many, whose opinions are respected, have given this G & F razor a terrible hiding in putting it down, as a razor to be avoided. I have 11 razors, which I love and all are shave ready. I would never misrepresent a Giesen & Forsthoff as being anything other that what I believe to be the truth as to this razor. I compare, my collection is 2 x Dovo Prima Klang 5/8, 2 x Dovo Bismarck 6/8, 1 x FW Engels 6/8, 1 x Dorko 13/16, 1 x Robert Klaas 5/8 1x 13/16 Othello 1 x 6/8 Modoso and finally 2 x Giesen & Forsthoff 6/8 bone scales. One of which is over a year old, and I cannot differentiate between either. I love the G & F razors I own. The only razor I had professionally honed, was my 1st a Dovo Prima Klang. The remaining 11 I learned to hone myself. My hones are Naniwa 1k, 4k, king 6k, Naniwa 8k, Kingstone 8k, Icebear 10k and a Suehiro Gokumyo 20k. So gentlemen, with the greatest of respect, over 18 months, I compiled a brood of 12 razors, all of which I enjoy fully. Each to their own re the G & F, other than to say, just get yourself one. At the level of honing as I may be, you don't need a Bachelor of Science to sharpen a cut throat razor. Barbers have managed for hundreds of years to accomplish what now appears to be the holy grail. Come on folks lets relax, get over it and accept that honing isn't as cloaked in awe as many seem to profess Grab that G & F fellas, it's a terrific shaver.....