Anybody using Genco's? They were made in the US and I understand sold to Geneva at some point. I have really enjoyed shaving with these and have found them to be not only a great shave, but easy to hone and maintain. Lynn
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Anybody using Genco's? They were made in the US and I understand sold to Geneva at some point. I have really enjoyed shaving with these and have found them to be not only a great shave, but easy to hone and maintain. Lynn
The reason you like them is because Genco is part of the Case family.
I have a Genco Gold Seal with yellow/gold lucite handles. I picked it up at an antique store for $20. I'm working on honing the edge and have gotten it to the point of being a decent shaver. I'll keep trying to get it just a notch better! I've only got this one but it seems to have a safe future with me!
Kevin (minodaco on Yahoo)
What's nice as well is that there seems to be a fair supply of these in nice condition around. They made many different varieties also. I'll bet I have around 10 in my keeper collection. Lynn
I've got at least one or two Genco's myself and they're among my "keepers", too.
Did they make them in 6/8?
Yes they did, I honed a Geneva Pyramid 7 for Jay, Northstar, some time back.Quote:
Originally Posted by monte6177
Ha Ha Ha.
So I really debated resurrecting this thread. I came across it running a search on google to find more Gencos (I really like my Gold Seal).
I thought it was a great example of how we all learn things over the course of six years.
Good Job. Now everyone is going to go out and drive up the price of Gencos :)
Just doin' what I can to help out! ;) :tu
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
Hey Ryan, I've got a couple heirloom razors too. I promise I'd take REAL good care of that Gold Seal for you! ;) :deal: 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.
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.
http://straightrazorpalace.com/srpwi...Genco_Logo.jpg
4 ever
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
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? :tu
:D
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.
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
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_2...2023.41.58.jpg
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_2...2023.41.44.jpg
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_2...2023.41.32.jpg
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_2...2023.41.10.jpg
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_2...2023.40.35.jpg
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_2...2023.40.05.jpg
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.
More i into this razor stuff and i am having hard time to find bad Made old American blades.
Usually they are a little harder then UK or Germany blades . They all take the satisfying edge.
I've got a couple of Genco's. My favorite though, is my Easy Aces. Takes and edge and keeps it. The shave is as smooth as silk and razor just looks cool to boot. Love it!
i just got a Genco brand razor
it has No. 35 on the opposite side of the tang from the brand stamp
it will be my first restore that I have done
looking forward to shaving with it
I have some Genco and Geneva's, Ontario's, Dame Stoddard's and Landers, Frary & Clark razors and the American steel seems as good or better than my English, German and Swedish razors.
Resurrection take two. I hope I'm asking this in the right spot but I just picked up a Genco from an antique mall for $15 and have some questions.
I know nothing about restoration so 1) is it worth messing with and 2) who would restore it? It says "Genco Registered", is a round 5/8", half hollow, slight smile, straight edge, and a very thin and straight bevel. There's a fair amount of rust at the hinge, a few minor chips in the scales, broken pin, and usual tarnish. I don't have much of an eye for pitting damage but the darker spots are minimal near the edge.
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Tim
I am not a Genco Expert, just a Genco Fan. The bevel looks nice and even. The size is usable. I would say it's worth the MAAS to clean it up. It does look like it will need to be repinned. For $15 I would say it was a good deal and the rust doesn't look extensive by any measure. I would definitely call it salvageable.
Once again, I'm not an expert. Hopefully someone with more experience will chime in.
Yep, it's worth messing with and answering two, if you do it yourself. These razors are great shavers but you can get them rather cheap and in much better condition for less than a restore would set you back. Restores can get expensive and unless it is an heirloom or valuable razor it may not be worth the money but only you can decide that. Some single edge razor blades from the hardware store to scrap off the rust, some Maas, Semichrome or other metal polish ans some cotton swabs, an old tooth brush and some tooth picks and you'll be surprised at what you can do. If you are not familiar with honing and want to shave with this razor I would suggest spending the money to get it professionally honed. Check the members services forum under the classifieds forum for someone to hone this up for you. Good luck.