Thread: New razor. Any good?

Bought my third razor yesterday. J.A. Henckels Twinworks 401.
Paid $15.
It does not have the original scales; the ones on it are too long and I can see that it has been filed at the pins. I was thinking about putting some new scales on it. Blade looks good.
Anybody know anything about this razor? Value?
Did I get a good deal?

Henckels are amongst the best shaving razors.

My criticism of Henckels is that they had very utilitarian scales, and I like my razors to look sexy as well.

It against TOS to comment on value, but you should be wearing a mask and carrying a bag marked "swag" over your shoulder.

Looks like a great find! That blade is in great condition, so it's definitely one worth doing a nice rescale for.

Beautiful blade.

UGLY scales. I'd be replacing those yesterday. As you said, they're far too lung, badly filed around the pins. Those scales might actually be long enough that you could unpin them at the pivot, then cut them back and re-shape them.

Henkels can be killer shavers. Nice find. (I quite like those scales, hangs head in "no taste" shame shocker).

Originally Posted by AlanII

Henkels can be killer shavers.

I definitely like to think of them as "killer shavers." I know it's just me, but every time I've every gotten a bad cut from straight shaving, it was with a henkels. They just don't get along with my face for some reason. The last time I got a bad cut was the last time I ever did any more shaving with a henkels than was required to test a newly honed edge. That was probably a year and a half ago, and the scar is still there.

Granted, if I saw that one for a good price, I'd snap it up, give it some new shoes and sell it.

It always seem something of a shame to throw away good scale material. The scales on the razor seem pretty good and they should look handsome enough after some buffing, so I'm going to suggest something a little different if you are up for a small challange.

Your photos don't show me how much space there is between the end of the razor and the spacer in the scales, but if those scales are long enough to permit it you could consider unpinning everything and shortening the scales from the head end. At the same you could give them a different profile if you so choose.

Naturally, there has to be enough length to allow you to shorten as well as redrill to pin the scales and wedge.

The file marks at the tail end of the scales can be pretty much buffed out (I've done the same) and you might also choose to slightly alter the profile at the back as well.

Henckels are great shavers. I have two my self..I had a platinum, but I personally thought it was a little to light and small in comparison with my other razors..Saying that the platinum is very versatle and easy to use in those hard to reach places..

Yes, you got a great deal. Whether or not you replace the scales, you have an excellent shaver that takes and holds a great edge.

Great deal! The blade looks to be in great condition.