Thread: Genco Straight Razors

Everyone, please stop confusing the new folks around here.

Gencos suck. Everything made in New York in the early 20th Century sucked. They didn't know squat about tempering steel, and they made razors of inferior quality out of slag left over after they used all the good iron ore to make steel sent to the military for use in WWI. Remember: Gencos suck.

And who, exactly, do you think was actually making those Gencos back then? Remember, our finest and bravest were on troop ships bound for Europe, so who was left? That's right; the drunks and the paste-eaters. Paste-eaters don't make good blade-smiths. Further proof that Gencos suck.

Still not convinced? Consider: If they were any good they'd still be made today. Like Dovos! That's what you really want, buy a Dovo!!! They're NEW and made in Germany and we all know those Germans make good stuff. Sham-wow Vince says so. He wouldn't lie. And they're NEW!!!

STILL not convinced? You must be eating paste again. Fine. Here's more proof:

Even the newest members here know that Zeepks and Kriegars suck, right?. Well, did you know that those companies got their start by getting a Genco and thinking "Hey! WE could make a better razor than this p.o.s.!!!"?

And they DID!!! Ergo Q.E.D. Bada bing bada boom, Gencos suck.

So, if you're new here, please buy only the popular Sheffield and Solingen blades. They have cache. And ambiance. And fung shui je ne sais quoi. Or something. Genco's don't, because they suck. Don't embarrass yourself by admitting you are thinking about getting a Genco. They suck.

Remember: Gencos suck.


























Any chance this'll work?

No.

I'm up to 4 Gencos. I will admit to buying a Dovo initially, but that was my first and last new razor. I'm still playing the field and trying out new sizes and grinds, but extremely happy with my Shumate and I'm seeing the potential in Genva/Gencos. They really are a great deal and a fine shaver, in my newbie estimation.... now if I can ever get that pinklather guy to return my blades... j/k

Everyone should blame pinklather for the jump in Genco prices. I'm buying them and I'm suggesting them to all of my newbie cohorts and minions, err friends and associates.

4 ever

Originally Posted by mbaglio100

Remember: Gencos suck.
Any chance this'll work?

Yep.... Made me laugh...

Originally Posted by mbaglio100

Everyone, please stop confusing the new folks around here.

Gencos suck.
...
Remember: Gencos suck.

Man, Michael, if I had only known all of that when I first got into razors! You are such a wealth of information! Thanks for posting that. You just saved me from more bad Genco purchases. I'm putting -genco in my razor searches from now on!

Thanks again!







Maybe this will help?

I have an Genco that is an absolutely wonderful shaver. Unfortunately, the scales recently split where the rivet goes through. I am looking for someone to repair it.

I have a Dovo, but it is not new. Between the two, the Genco is definitely superior, although both are very good. I would not hesitate to buy another Genco if the price was right.

I didn't know Genco was part of Case and Sons. That's neat info. Thanks.

i found a Genco in an antique shop for 12 bucks, i havent bought it yet, but i am thinking about it, it has been there a while
it seems to be in good condition, is that a good price

Originally Posted by Gigmaster

I have an Genco that is an absolutely wonderful shaver. Unfortunately, the scales recently split where the rivet goes through. I am looking for someone to repair it.

I have a Dovo, but it is not new. Between the two, the Genco is definitely superior, although both are very good. I would not hesitate to buy another Genco if the price was right.

I didn't know Genco was part of Case and Sons. That's neat info. Thanks.

From what I've read Case bought Genco sometime in the first third of the 1900's (can't remember dates for nothin') They maintained the factory in Geneva for a while then moved operations over to Bradford? PA. I believe that was in the 40's (48 maybe...again, I'm bad with dates). Sometime after that they stopped producing Genco razors (maybe razors altogether, but I don't know).

There...just enough to confuse you! Sorry I can't remember more off the top.

Originally Posted by crazyengineer

i found a Genco in an antique shop for 12 bucks, i havent bought it yet, but i am thinking about it, it has been there a while
it seems to be in good condition, is that a good price

Uh, Say...where are you located? Maybe I could help you deal with that Genco problem? Really, it'd be no big deal. What are friends for?




Update: Just ran across this little snippet while looking up info on Boker razors. For all uninterested parties: http://books.google.com/books?id=T7A...0razor&f=false
It's just a brief mention of the Geneva Cutlery Company, but interesting nonetheless.

That is a steal, even if it needs some restoration. I would jump on that in a heart-beat.

Originally Posted by crazyengineer

i found a Genco in an antique shop for 12 bucks, i havent bought it yet, but i am thinking about it, it has been there a while
it seems to be in good condition, is that a good price

It's pretty worn, but the etching on mine says "Genco", then underneath it says "Grant". On the tang, it says "Geneva, NY USA".

Originally Posted by BigJim

From what I've read Case bought Genco sometime in the first third of the 1900's (can't remember dates for nothin') They maintained the factory in Geneva for a while then moved operations over to Bradford? PA. I believe that was in the 40's (48 maybe...again, I'm bad with dates). Sometime after that they stopped producing Genco razors (maybe razors altogether, but I don't know).

There...just enough to confuse you! Sorry I can't remember more off the top.



Uh, Say...where are you located? Maybe I could help you deal with that Genco problem? Really, it'd be no big deal. What are friends for?




Update: Just ran across this little snippet while looking up info on Boker razors. For all uninterested parties: Tariff ... Hearing[s] ... on H.R ... - Google Books
It's just a brief mention of the Geneva Cutlery Company, but interesting nonetheless.

This is the genco that I picked up on ebay last week:
Vtg Genco Geneva Cutlery Inc Straight Razor w/Box Nice | eBay

I consider it a steal at that price.

This is what it looked like once I got it home and applied some Maas and Mother's








Those two just got dropped in the mail yesterday for a trip out to the great state of Oregon for a ride on pinklather's asagi. I have another Genco and Dovo on the way back from Oregon from pinklather. His last test shave with the Genco was described at "blissful".

My first straight razor was a new 6/8 round point Dovo that had been honed by Lynn. That was about 3 months ago. My second was a 5/8 square point Shumate that I bought from pinklather. The Shumate taught me what smooth was and showed me how harsh the edge on the Dovo was. The Dovo was sharper by a good bit, but it was very rough on the skin. The Shumate was like spreading butter and left me with zero razor burn.

The Gencos that I own are the same way. Butter smooth. They aren't much to look at, yet. But I think they are a great quality blade that you find at very exceptional prices. I plan on rescaling all of mine once I finish practicing with some Sheffield wedges.

If you can get one for less than $30, I would jump on it.