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Do you guys have any thoughts on this particular razor? I did a search and found a thread full of praise for different Genco razors but not the Wedge. Would it be safe to say that all Genco's are similar in quality when in good shape and honed by a professional?
VonDerBerg
Its pretty safe to assume all Gencos are excellent shavers, I have a lot of Genco's full hollows, and I have a Case temperite, which is a wedge , and that blade rocks, but with most wedges u really need to let the blade do all the work, and there isnt any feedback, just a silent blade wiping away your wiskas. So the jist of my comment is, if u have an opportunity to get a Genco wedge get one :D
If I had the chance to get myself a genco wedge I would be all over it. 'Nuff said.
Thanks for the help. I bought it for $27 but the blade has some staining. I was just looking for a good, affordable second razor rather than something pretty and saw that people seem to like Genco's so hopefully it turns out all right.
Pics or it did not happen!
Never knew Genco made a wedge...
I want to see it! I had a Genco full hollow but my geard is way to course so I traded it for a WW1 wedge that I am very happy with but I would like to see your Genco wedge.
Check out the SRDB; I posted mine there.Quote:
Originally Posted by JoeSomebody
Kees & Mastershake - When I get it I'll post some pics. It's being honed today.
holli4pirating - I saw your razor in the SRDB, it looked nice. I think the scales on the razor I bought are different though - it says "wedge" as yours does but I think it was at an angle and didn't have a circle around the word.
The Genco "Wedge", as it is labeled, is probably what you have. And, there are a ton of them in circulation. They must have been popular in their day. I have never seen a true wedge made by Genco, and the razor labeled "Wedge" by Genco that I refer to is a near wedge that is labeled "Wedge."
But, pictures will tell the story.
My experience with Genco "Wedge" razor is very positive. They shave oddly, and don't feel as sharp as a full hollow. This is probably more due to the feeling of a near wedge than any Genco-specific. When I first tried, I thought I hadn't honed the razor well. But, it shaved well. So, what do they say... the shave test is the final test!
Hey Larry,
I'm actually the guy that bought the razor in question from you just recently lol. Thats why I made the thread. From what I've read, Sheffield and American blades are supposed to be "softer" or "smoother" as compared to Solingen blades. I currently have a Dovo, and have your razor along with a Joseph Allen and Sons razor on the way. I just wanted to have a variety of blades as I start out. Btw, thanks for shipping the Genco so soon.
VonDerBerg
One of the reasons I really like American razors is that mine all seem to hold their edge for a long time, even to the point of being notably longer than most of my Sheffields. I'm no expert, but I don't think I would call them soft. Mine seem every bit as hard as German or Swedish.
Then, yes, it is a near wedge. And, definitely yes to the soft feeling of the wedge. I have my favorite W.S. Brown straight razor. If not for that, one of these Genco Wedges (near wedges) would rank high.Quote:
Originally Posted by VonDerBerg
There are exceptions to every rule, but, from my general experience, this is not the case. American razors that I have used tend to be harder than Solingen, and thus a fair bit harder than Sheffield, razors. I'd say they are more like Swedish or Japanese razors. This is part of why I have yet to hone my Genco Wedge. Usually, the combination of hard steel and a heavy grind is not enjoyable to me; I'm not really sure how to describe the feeling that I don't like. I guess more aggressive/a bit unforgiving?Quote:
Originally Posted by VonDerBerg
Some examples have been quarter hollows from Cmon, DublDuck, (both German), Heljestrand (Swedish) and Hayashi (Japanese). I do, however, quite like Torrey half hollows, so it's clearly not always the same. I just don't want to be disappointed by this beautiful Genco.
Is your comment about "not enjoyable" referencing honing or shaving?Quote:
Originally Posted by holli4pirating
When I said the Genco Wedge feels soft, I am talking about during the shave, and was not meant to describe honing. And, I think this effect is primarily from the near wedge shape, and not from the hardness or softness of the metal.
Shaving. I love honing everything. Yea, I know, I hate the Reynoldses, but every razor that I hone can teach me something new, and I enjoy that. I don't know what it means for a razor to feel hard or soft during the shave; I use those words to describe the steel itself.