Thread: Genco Pyramid - 7N - what did I buy??

Originally Posted by cflaageriv

I had no idea the Geneva's shaved so well. Are they 'totally' made in the U.S.? Or were the blades made in Germany, imported to this country and just assembled here?

There were more than a few companies in the US that made their own razors, Geneva being one of them.

Originally Posted by stimpy52

Very high quality blades, made in a few different configurations... mirror finish, satin, nickel plated, round point, square point. Also an SS model -- Silver Steel? Stainless Steel? No one seems to know for sure. The steel in the Pyramids is HARD - can be a tough hone, but shave nicely and hold an edge well.

Historical link here -- Dun's review - R.G. Dun & Company - Google Books

I love the Pyramid razors, they come from NY, the land of great razors. Don't even get me started.

A proud patriot if ever I saw one
Thanks Stimpy for the company info :

I agree with Stimpy on all points. I have a bunch of Genco razors and added a bunch more after this picture was taken: http://straightrazorpalace.com/show-...-day-more.html

A while ago I picked up a pyramid at a local shop that looked like it was never honed. Holli was over for a visit and we honed a bunch of razors together. The Genco pyramid had both of us working on setting the bevel for some time but we weren't going to give up. We finally got an edge on it and the rest of the honing went smoothly but it was a PITA to get the bevel set. This razor, as all the other Genco/Geneva razors I have give really nice shaves. If they didn't I wouldn't have 25 of them.

Originally Posted by Joed

I agree with Stimpy on all points. I have a bunch of Genco razors and added a bunch more after this picture was taken: http://straightrazorpalace.com/show-...-day-more.html

A while ago I picked up a pyramid at a local shop that looked like it was never honed. Holli was over for a visit and we honed a bunch of razors together. The Genco pyramid had both of us working on setting the bevel for some time but we weren't going to give up. We finally got an edge on it and the rest of the honing went smoothly but it was a PITA to get the bevel set. This razor, as all the other Genco/Geneva razors I have give really nice shaves. If they didn't I wouldn't have 25 of them.

Well that is as good a recommendation as you can find!
Certainly good enough for me :
Thanks Stimpy & Joed
I will keep an eye out for one of these on the Bay, or maybe Joe could manage to part with one?

After piquing my interest, I did a little research. Apparently, Geneva had imported some (early, I'm guessing) razors from Germany. However, Stimpy is entirely correct, around 1917 (the date of the particular publication) they were doing all their own manufacturing at Geneva, NY.

ITS CRACKED!!!!!

there is a small L-shaped crack about 1/16 to 1/8 long in the blade near the heel #!!!@#!$!

damn damn damn.... oh well - everything too good to be true likely is.... so we go back on line and look for another one...

Barry

Originally Posted by Joed

I agree with Stimpy on all points. I have a bunch of Genco razors and added a bunch more after this picture was taken: http://straightrazorpalace.com/show-...-day-more.html

A while ago I picked up a pyramid at a local shop that looked like it was never honed. Holli was over for a visit and we honed a bunch of razors together. The Genco pyramid had both of us working on setting the bevel for some time but we weren't going to give up. We finally got an edge on it and the rest of the honing went smoothly but it was a PITA to get the bevel set. This razor, as all the other Genco/Geneva razors I have give really nice shaves. If they didn't I wouldn't have 25 of them.

Seems to be a common theme with razors in general.
I noticed that people complain about certain razors being very hard to set a bevel and then hone, but if done correctly they result in excellent shavers.
If the Genco is made of carbon steel then it must be exceptional steel with superior tempering.
I would like to hear from others who do restorations on their razors as to their findings about which carbon steels are harder.
Personally I am finding (so far) that vintage Sheffield steel has a temper harder than others, by a factor of 1.5!
Any thoughts?

Originally Posted by bman40

ITS CRACKED!!!!!

there is a small L-shaped crack about 1/16 to 1/8 long in the blade near the heel #!!!@#!$!

damn damn damn.... oh well - everything too good to be true likely is.... so we go back on line and look for another one...

Barry

Sorry to hear that news Barry, a pity but resolvable.
I make it a practice to detail my razors with a x20 magnifying loop.
Its amazing what you find that is not visible to the naked eye.
Some times I find unpolished grind marks from the manufacturing process, usually on the tang or the point.
These marks remind me that these were hand made :

Originally Posted by stimpy52

Very high quality blades, made in a few different configurations... mirror finish, satin, nickel plated, round point, square point. Also an SS model -- Silver Steel? Stainless Steel? No one seems to know for sure. The steel in the Pyramids is HARD - can be a tough hone, but shave nicely and hold an edge well.

Historical link here -- Dun's review - R.G. Dun & Company - Google Books

I love the Pyramid razors, they come from NY, the land of great razors. Don't even get me started.

+1 on Stimpy post, i got a pyramid from him, its a fantastic shaver, hold an edge very well for sure, and being from New York
also make it that much more special.

Originally Posted by bonitomio

... If the Genco is made of carbon steel then it must be exceptional steel with superior tempering. ...

I'm guessing that the razor was plated with a very wear resistant metal and that there isn't anything special about the base metal.