Thread: J.A. Henckels 56 & 84

So I went to an antique festival today and bought my first two straight razors. My intentions are to learn to shave with them. With that said I'm going to post some pics and get your ideas on what to do with them.

First is a JA Henckels 84. Picked up for $25 It has nice scales and the pins are tight. The blade has a slight smile (I think) and some patina ans some rust, but I thought it could be polished out.





The second is a JA Henckels 56. Picked up for $30 The scales have been repaired around the bottom pin on one side. They did a good job as it's only slightly noticeable and couldn't get it to show up in a picture. The blade is in much better shape as far as rust/patina but has some slight nicks in the bevel of the blade. the pins are slightly loose on this razor





So here are the questions

Aside from professional honing, which is a given

1) did I pay reasonable prices? I'm happy either way, just wondering.

2) would you get honed and shave as is, or have blades polished?

3) would you have new scales put on the 84?

I undertand a lot goes into whether or not I like straight razor shaving, but I don't mind spending a few dollars on these razors regardless of my shaving experience.

The first seems to have some rust issues, but the 84 looks nice, but needs honing obviously.

Originally Posted by Blix

The first seems to have some rust issues, but the 84 looks nice, but needs honing obviously.

Yeah that's actuall the 56, I had the numbers backwards. I want to try my hand at polishing the blade, so the 84 may be a good candidate.

Any other opinions?

Much as the others have said. With the 56, prior to cleaning, hone it and look at the bevel with a loup. You'll be able to see whether or not you're getting to good steel before putting more work into it. Good luck.

Originally Posted by AlanII

Much as the others have said. With the 56, prior to cleaning, hone it and look at the bevel with a loup. You'll be able to see whether or not you're getting to good steel before putting more work into it. Good luck.

Thanks I might just do that. The blade is smooth, it appears rusty in the pix, but in person seems more stained than anything. I don't know though, I'm new to this.

I would just get hold of some metal polish and shine the blades up.
I would then have a look in the classifieds and find someone near to you who would hone them for a reasonable price and send them off.
If you were in Brisbane, Australia I'd do them for free just to get you started - and 'cause I love the look of the spanish point.

Originally Posted by Havachat45

I would just get hold of some metal polish and shine the blades up.
I would then have a look in the classifieds and find someone near to you who would hone them for a reasonable price and send them off.
If you were in Brisbane, Australia I'd do them for free just to get you started - and 'cause I love the look of the spanish point.

I appreciate the advice, and the offer, unfortunately I'm a long way from Brisbane. I agree about the looks of the Spanish point. I was at an antique show with lots of vendors, i bought the squat point first and then came across the larger Spanish point and just couldn't pass it up.

I'm gonna go get some metal polish tomorrow and see how that turns out, then it's off to be honed.