Thread: Giesen & Forsthoff, #571, 6/8 Real Horn

Has anyone had a chance to use one of these new stock G&F yet ? if so tell me what y'all think about them, you can buy em new for less than a c-note !

The new Timors from what I have read are of lower quality than the vintage variety in terms of their edge taking ability which is attributable to either the steel used or craftmanship employed, and in all likeliness the heat treatment they are subjected to. I would suggest therefore, that if you wished to acquire a new razor for less than a 'c-note,' which I infer to be colloquial dialect for US currency, that you consider if you have not already, various models of Dovo.

C-note = $100

I have just received the #571 G & F brand new for as you put it for under a 'c' note. 1st up small areas of rust near the pin & tang. Not a huge amount,, but any rust is clearly no good. 2nd, though I'm not a super exeprienced honester, this razor is seriously hard to get a decent bevel on it. I've had 3 sessions, walking away each time, unsatisfied as to the level of shave readiness. I'm not ready to give up on it at all, but it does not take an edge even close to the tops 5 dovo's (Prima, Klang, B'marck etc). I get the feel with this razor that it will 'click' one day and I'll have a bevel to polish. But no bevel yet. Sure to piss you off,but I'm going to stay at it for a while yet. As you guys said, it's less than a $100, and if I've made a mistake with buying this one then too bad. I'm not naming the retailer, probably not their error re the bit of rust. This razor looks to have come straight from the factory. I've taken most of the rust off. I wont let it get dry ever again. So, in 2 weeks I'll come back to you. Re the bevel, this is probably 70% my technique fault and 30% the razor, so let's not hang em yet. Cheers Bobski

I bought 6 various models of them to put up on retail at my barbershop. I would say I am an experienced honner with at least a 100 different razors honed under my belt (I run a local honing service here in Ottawa).

These are absolute worthless junk razors... I would vote to add them to the list of razors to avoid. First the bevels are at least 300 strokes away (with tape) and the steel is so crappy that you will not be able to get a fine edge. I also share this opinion with a Montreal gentleman who is even more experienced than I am in honing razors. I wouldnt be surprised if the gold dollar razors have better steel than these.

Some of their scales are descent but if you want to shave with the razor, best look at a decent yet affordable vintage brand razor such as Kropp, Boker etc... Stay Away

Originally Posted by bobski

I wont let it get dry ever again.

I'm assuming you meant that you won't let it get WET ever again, but given the review just above, maybe you should stick with what you wrote!

I myself haven't heard much good about these razors, based on people's experiences. I would use a Gold Dollar (and I do) much before I would use one of these.

No guys, no mistake, the Giesen & Forstoff str8t is very ordinary. The 'New' razor arrived rusty at the pin & Tang. totally dull, and still dull 2 sessions later. No muckin about this razor isn't worth a zac. Do what I did and buy it cause it's cheap. Then curse yourself for being the dumb bastard who bought it!

Necro post much ?

They do take an edge but are a lot of work to get there. That's why they're in the "Razors to avoid list"
Brands of Straight Razors to Avoid - Straight Razor Place Library

Thanks Oz, it didn't cost $100 post mortem as I also bought from the same retailer a 3 inch double sided black latigo strop, which is a bonus. The razor is/has been useful as a tool for experimenting/learning the honing side, so as we speak now, I seem to have coaxed it into somewhat of a razor. Not getting carried away, but it has passed a thumb pad test. No HHT or TNT, but I haven'nt given up. I did shave with it. We've all had a shave with a razor that needs a touch up, well that's this one in reverse. To be honest mate, I've lots to learn, so failures are a good learn as well. If it were an easy task Forums wouldn't exist. So I'm learning, which is good, and enjoying success where it occurs, and equally the stuff ups have their points. Cheers, bobski