Thread: Genco Straight Razors

I have several, including a Master Barber which I love...they do take an edge like nobody's business.....

I've got 5 or 6 Gencos, two of which are Gold Seals, one of which is a 6/8 in really mint shape and probably one of my favourites. I have some of the common fancy razors such as an EPBD, Le Grelots, etc and I honestly like the Gold Seal just as much as any. It looks cool, holds a very nice edge, easy to deal with, etc. I am going to do a big clear out soon but I'll be keeping the Gencos.

They (Genevas and/or Gencos) were made from the early 1900's to 1965, combine that with 3000-8000 razors a day at their height of production. That means there are lots to choose from. Even if only 1-2% are in very good to excellent condition you still stand a good chance to find quite a few really nice ones. They made every grind you can think of. Most are 5/8 some 6/8 and 4/8. A lot of folks like the way the more hollow grinds shave (i.e. gold seal).

The only trouble is that dopes like me keep talking about how great and underpriced they are, driving prices higher. Luckily I think they will always lack the sex appeal of the fancy scales, gold wash, solingen, etc, etc crowd. I look at them as the well broken in bluejeans of straights...none of the pretention, good value, and gets the job done quite well.

Just beware of the one that have a pyramid or say 'Genco"-- they are dogs. Please send to me for disposal

I have an old Genco Gold Seal that belonged to my great Grandfather (my Grandma's father), who unfortunately died before I was born. It's in excellent condition, and I was able to get ahold of his old razor just before I joined SRP and always meant to get it honed - lol still waiting! One of these days....

Lynn,

My Genco Fluid Steel is my favourite straight; a superb shaver for me

Have fun !

Bets regards

Russ

Originally Posted by Ryan82

I have an old Genco Gold Seal that belonged to my great Grandfather (my Grandma's father), who unfortunately died before I was born. It's in excellent condition, and I was able to get ahold of his old razor just before I joined SRP and always meant to get it honed - lol still waiting! One of these days....

Hey Ryan, I've got a couple heirloom razors too. I promise I'd take REAL good care of that Gold Seal for you! I do love mine. Mine was an e-bay "black diamond" razor (so said the box and the seller) that turned out to be a Genco Gold Seal...man did I luck out on that one! (bid before I found SRP)

But, uh, I mean, Yeah, Genco's aren't very good. If you have one I've got a special recycling program near me that's just for old Genco razors. You can send it to me and I'll dispose of it for you.

I have 3 of them in my rotation. The ever popular gold seal, mint vanadium that looks to have never been honed and my grandfathers damasks genco and the matching genco barber hone/strop. Good shaving razors

This was one of my first 'antique store finds' after I started and caught this dreaded sickness (RAD). So far, it is the only one I've found. By the way it was the second one I was able to get 'shave ready' with just my Barbers hone. I like it!

I, too, found one in a local antique shop a year or two back. It looks to be 4/8 (I haven't broken out the ruler, yet) and has a HUGE smile to it. Looks like someone gave it a slightly tapered hone complex, but with a Joker's grin, I can't blame them too much. I saw the smile and fell in lust...I had to have it. Even managed to look past the broken scale above the pivot-pin. Still, no chips on the blade and no pitting means it's just a hone's visit from my face.

My first razor was a 6/8 Fluid Steel. Throughout the RAD phase, I'd grumble it had no jimps, the shank was small, thin, light - hard for larger hands to have positive grip on. The FS now has 4 stable mates - either Geneva or Genco. I've only sold one, and it went to a very good home (very experienced forum member). I've not found a brand that shaves better for the same size/grind. 'Still want a hammered shank 'wedge'. I have a Pyramid #7 I'm honing for another forum member. It's a dream to shave with. 'Heavier shank w/ bottom jimps. I wrote the member after the first full shave: 'Reminds me of my 2nd date with my now wife. We went to a nice sushi restaurant. I bit into their creamy scallops, and after a while of silence, I hear: "Robert, you're blissing out."

Noobs, if you find one, they're wonderful. 'Will only add to my collection.