Thread: WACKER Razors, how 'bout that!

No, it wasn't my Wacker... but if anyone would like to purchase one, I would love - LOVE to get rid of it or trade for another razor.

Originally Posted by Joel

No, it wasn't my Wacker... but if anyone would like to purchase one, I would love - LOVE to get rid of it or trade for another razor.

What are you looking for, Joel?

Originally Posted by Joe Chandler

What are you looking for, Joel?

Well, I am quite a TI and Dovo fan, and I also like the oldies (but goodies). Craftsman, sta-sharps, ducks, pumas, american steel, odd balls, and so on and so forth.

Definatly a TI guy though... if you've got some TI's - we've got a deal

Originally Posted by Joel

Well, I am quite a TI and Dovo fan, and I also like the oldies (but goodies). Craftsman, sta-sharps, ducks, pumas, american steel, odd balls, and so on and so forth.

Definatly a TI guy though... if you've got some TI's - we've got a deal

Gimme a PM. We might be able to work something out (but I don't have any TIs) Lotsa other stuff, though.

Yeah, what about Wackers?

Seems like there are not that many happy owners of a Wacker around here?
Is it because people are afraid to buy one because some guys on B&B have reported bad experiences with them or do they generally not earn a good reputaion here?

In my case, I have three Wackers, only one did not arrive shave-ready.
The third was honed and stropped ready in no time but still is a little "robust" due to a somewhat thick/stiff blade (it´s the 1001 Feinster Hohlschliff).

I always thought american users are lucky since the Wacker-razors sold by sshop.com almost cost the same (sometimes even less) than they do when directly buying them from Wacker in Germany?
Only that sshop.com has more models/variations to choose from than Mr. Wacker has left in his shop.

Joel's very public, very negative review probably has something to do with it, but they've also got a reputation as a bear to hone because of their extreme hardness and their tendency towards microchipping on the hone. This may not show up if you're using a coticule or similar natural stone, but definitely trips you up if you're using an artificial hone like the Norton or Shaptons. Since those of us on this side of the pond tend to use the artificial hones for the bulk of our work, the microchipping issue may be something that really only affects us.

wow mparker762,

in fact that is an interesting point of view.
I will ask the honemeisters on the german board about that possibility.

Usually Wackers are mentioned as a dream to sharpen by the honemeisters.
Many new owners of a Wacker ask them for their help because at some times the razors appear far from being shave-ready when received by the customers.

Originally Posted by mparker762

Joel's very public, very negative review probably has something to do with it, but they've also got a reputation as a bear to hone because of their extreme hardness and their tendency towards microchipping on the hone. This may not show up if you're using a coticule or similar natural stone, but definitely trips you up if you're using an artificial hone like the Norton or Shaptons. Since those of us on this side of the pond tend to use the artificial hones for the bulk of our work, the microchipping issue may be something that really only affects us.

I've not had to hone one from scratch (the previous owner of mine had it done by John Crowley, who did a good job), so can't comment on the Norton vs. coticule issue.

I will say that mine holds an edge well and refresing the edge on a Swaty-type hone and/or pasted paddle seems to work fine for me.

I really like the way my 7/8 Bartman shaves and find that the feel on the face is somewhere between my other carbon razors and my Friodur - which I think results from the hardness of the steel.

Mine will microchip if it gets anywhere near my norton or shaptons or a barber hone. I can hone it on my translucent arkansas, the tam o shanter, and on the paddles. I've heard from others about the microchipping problem as well, though some guys don't seem to have a problem. This could be natural variation in his heat treatment regimen if he's running close to the limit, or it could just be that some razors are more prone to this problem since he's using old solingen blanks with unknown metallurgy (I've got a stippleback, FWIW).

I've also heard that from others as well - I think there is quite a bit of variation in these for all of the reasons you mention - I suspect you're right that every blank Wacker uses gets similar heat treatment, despite the fact that they likely have different metalurgical compositions.

The only hone I've ever used on my Bartman is my Austrian "Apart" hone, which is a finishing hone and I've not experienced any microchipping - but can't comment on how even my razor would react to a Norton or coarser barber's hone.