I founda Gernco - rsut free - super clean looking on-lien for under $30, ind its marked with the pyramid and 7N -
can anyone tell me what that means? Age? quality?? any comments on this blade?
thanks
Barry
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I founda Gernco - rsut free - super clean looking on-lien for under $30, ind its marked with the pyramid and 7N -
can anyone tell me what that means? Age? quality?? any comments on this blade?
thanks
Barry
It's a bit difficult to tell without pictures, Barry.
Can you post some for us?
You mean like this ? I always thought it was related to manufacturing dates. You see them with different numbers as well.
I have a Genco pyramid 5/8 half-hollow with a 7N stamped on it (purchased from Stimpy on the local classifieds). Genco was apparently a trademark used by Geneva. I don't know what Geneva's reputation is, but my razor shaves quite well. The only company data I could find is:
GENEVA CUTLERY CO.
Geneva, New York
By 1912, the largest US manufacturer of razors. In 1928, firm reorganized as Geneva Cutlery Inc.
Used "GENCO" trademark
ca. 1902-1935
Assuming that is accurate, you should be able to date your razor to within 3 decades :)
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.
here are the vendors picturesAttachment 85076Attachment 85077Attachment 85078
comments / info would be appreciated.
Barry
Sterling Steel. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by stimpy52
http://straightrazorpalace.com/attac...-geneva-ss.jpg
There is a Genco Club thread that may be worth scanning for info also.
http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...enco-pura.html
Bman. The short version is you scored big. I have Gencos that outshaved the last 3 Satinedges I tried. They're WONDERFUL! They tend to be plain looking, but they just shave like there's no tomorrow. If you tire of the plain look, have someone put it in Gucci scales. Very few will ever be prom queens, but no prom queen shaves like that.
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by cflaageriv
A proud patriot if ever I saw one :DQuote:
Originally Posted by stimpy52
Thanks Stimpy for the company info :tu:
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!Quote:
Originally Posted by Joed
Certainly good enough for me :tu:
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?
:D
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
Seems to be a common theme with razors in general.Quote:
Originally Posted by Joed
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?
Sorry to hear that news Barry, a pity but resolvable.Quote:
Originally Posted by bman40
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 :tu:
+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 YorkQuote:
Originally Posted by stimpy52
also make it that much more special.
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by bonitomio
Joe do you know of another razor manufacturer that uses that metal coating process?Quote:
Originally Posted by Joed
I have not heard of it being used on razors before.
I would imagine it wouldnīt be durable. After minimal honing the surface metal would be removed exposing the base metal.
If these razors are as good as you say then my guess is that its high quality steel with carefully controlled tempering.
Love to hear from someone with more info on Genco :tu:
Any tips on how to resolve this? I was going to break out my 1K hone (which I use on woodturning tools) and hone a way for a while - thry to work the edge down past the crack - its a biggish razor, so getting past the damage shoudl still leave a usable blade. Its a pity because its SOOO clean and shiny - very nearly perfect. Look s(from checking the edge witha loupe) that it was probably honed very little....
Barry
Quote:
Originally Posted by bonitomio
I really haven't paid much attention to which razors are plated or not. Sometimes I find razors out and about that look like their plating is pealing or separating from the base metal, usually due to corrosion from under the plating, which happens if the metal isn't prepared properly. Some of ya may remember chrome pealing off car bumpers back in the day.Quote:
Originally Posted by bonitomio
That sounds about right. Be careful to leave a flat edge parallel to the spine. Donīt try to cut the metal too quickly. Take your time and check often.Quote:
Originally Posted by bman40
I feel your pain.........I bought a Filarmonica Sub Cero that would have been NOS if it wasnīt for a chip in the blade. It has never been used:- http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...ntal-work.html
A picture would help us help you.
I'm not sure my camera can take a picture that 'macro' - I'll try later tonight....
Quote:
Originally Posted by stimpy52
