Thread: What does the Henckels "1/2" symbol mean

One guy said it was hollow grind, another guy found examples that showed it wasn't true. I see it on a lot of the Inox razors, does it have to do with the blade material?

That is a good question and I'd like to know too. I have a few stainless razors but only one Henckels and it is marked 451 with no 1/2 in sight.

Bob

I'm pretty sure that it means rounded toe...without the 1/2 means square toe

You know that just might make sense, my 451 is a spike point. I am also of the inclination to believe that if it is not Inox it does not get stamped as such. I think German laws are pretty strict on that.

Bob

That matches the razors I have seen. Good deal.

From what I've heard 1/2 is stamped on the fridour blades, so probably means its stainless. I'm just a humble noob so I can't say I know for sure but ill check where I read it when I get home.

Well, I have been ripped off then if all Friodur blades have that , no 1/2 on my Friodur only 451.

Bob

Originally Posted by saitou

From what I've heard 1/2 is stamped on the fridour blades, so probably means its stainless. I'm just a humble noob so I can't say I know for sure but ill check where I read it when I get home.

The 1/2 means it was stainless. They made two versions of their popular razors and would number them i.e. 70 (carbon) and 70 1/2 (stainless). The older stainless don't have Friodur or INOX on them.
To make things more confusing Henckels didn't put 1/2 on their infamous 451 razor and their big 8/8 blades; maybe these razors were so well known or they wanted to avoid redundancy because both have Friodur on them.

If you see 1/2 on a Henckels razor or Friodur, the blade is stainless. I have owned exact copies of stainless razors with "1/2" and without "Friodur" on them.

That would explain why this little one I have with the 1/2 on it is so unnaturally clean.

I agree with Mr. Ramirez on this one. I've heard/experienced the exact same.