Thread: Geisen & Forsthoff razors??? ANy Good?? I bought one, cant' get an edge on it

Hi all,

I bought a Geisen & Forsthoff razor brand new 6/8 in pearlex. It's a very nice looking, hefty razor with nice scales. The razor appears quality. HOwever, in my limited honing experience, this is one of those razors that I have tried at least 4 times now to get it to take a bevel.

Here's the question: Am I wasting my time? Are the G&F razors any good? I checked all the 'do not buy these razors' wiki's, etc. and it's not listed anywhere. I haven't read anywhere that they suck, etc. so the question is, do they take an edge, or do my honing skills just suck that much? I have a few other razors that I know are quality that i am having a hard time getting to take a bevel also. I just don't know about the quality of the G&F razors.

Don't get me wrong, those of you who might read this that don't know me. I have almost 30 razors now, some I have had pro sharpened, some I have done myself. I'm not a newb at the whole game, just unsure of myself when it comes to honing, and I'm looking for a reason that I can't get this razor to take a bevel.

Any thoughts are more than welcomed!!

Best always,

Mike

If you're talking the new production Giesen & Forsthoff ones, well, those are not comparable to the older vintage ones which were very good. My experience with those G&F (black tangs) were not very good and IMO should be avoided.

I have a couple of the vintage G@F razors and they , while not superior shavers, are in what I would call the "good" range. While I don't have one of the new ones, I have seen not so favorable threads on them written by people who are acomplished honers. Best, wildhog

I cant see what you are doing, or not doing, so I really have no comment other than I did a newer G&F very recently and it worked out fine.

I have two adoration deluxe models that are absolutely top tier razors,3 pin scales, fantastic bolsters,plasma coated tangs,both to die for shavers also.

Originally Posted by nun2sharp

I cant see what you are doing, or not doing, so I really have no comment other than I did a newer G&F very recently and it worked out fine.

So, Kelly, May I send this one to you??? hehehhe.

Ya know, it's funny, but I've gotten a good edge on a Robeson and a Salamandar by using the techniques that Glen has posted on youtube using a King 800 as a bevel setter, then a Norton 4/8, a chinese PHIG as a polisher. I have a couple of barber hones that are around 10-12 IMHO, a CrOx balsa paddle and a diamond felt paddle. Some razors I can get a great edge on, some I just cannot. I have a smiling 'Mandarin' that I cannot get to take a bevel either. I don't get it, but obviously there is something I have yet to get.

So anyway, I may just have to shoot you some steel.....

M

My newer g&f is ok, but frankly not the shaver that some of my older ones are. Maybe it's me?