Thread: Stainless Steel Razors

Originally Posted by Library Guy

Basil,

Sounds like all your Friodur needs is the attention of a honemeister.

I'm curious, is there a model number (or any number) etched or stamped on the tang of your Friodur? An inquiring mind...

LG Roy

Since I'm not at home now I can't remeber for sure if there is any distict numbering or markings on it. All I remember is it saying friodur inox on the front and henckels on the back.

When I finish my shift at work in a few hours I'll be sure to post pictures of the friodur.

When I started straight shaving I had some blades like seemed to drag and pull all the time and I really didn't know any better because I didn't know about sites like this to help you out. Having some woodworking tools I tried to sharpen them and I found an amazing difference, so it sounds like you blade needs some touching up on a hone. all blade should cut the same but some do feel a little different.

Originally Posted by Library Guy

,
Let us know how the razor performs if you get it honed. So far there is not much conventional wisdom on these new Henckel's

when I frost got it it was pretty poor. Shaved like a shavette on it's last shave. Pulled and tugged a bit. I put it on my coticule, and then the newspaper trick and it shaved much better. I'm still not impressed with it but I need someone who really know how to bring out the edge to give it a go.

If I do get it sent out I will be sure to give you all the update.

Yeah, sounds like you're not doing a proper comparison.
If you cannot obtain the best edge a razor is capable of, you are comparing your ability to hone the different razors, not the razors themselves.

basil,

I have three (3) stainless razors: an 8/8 Friodur and two (2) 5/8 Dovo EnVogues.

All these razors shave beautifully, hone well and certainly do not lack anything compared with a carbon steel blade.

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

Here are the pics of the razor as promised....no real distinct serial or model numbers

From the pictures, that looks like the tang is actually stamped as opposed to laser-etched. Would you agree with that? I believe the place that offers that razor also has an option for it to be honed by Lynn Abrams. Did you opt for the honing or did you pass? I would recommend it to be honed by a reputable honer if you did not originally get it honed. I have been really curious about these razors. Not much is know about them.

One more question. Is that actually a real inlay on the scales? Or is it incorporated in the plastic? Printed or painted on? Thanks!

Here is te link to the razor I bought. Zwilling J.A. Henckels FRIODUR Razor Shaving Set - Shaving Sets

I chose to get it pre honed. But no where on the page does it say honed by Lyn.

Yes the markings on the handles and blade are printed on. They are not pressed into the steel or handle at all.

As I've noted elsewhere, I have become a great Friodur afficionado. I bought one from John Crowley's The Shaving Shop a while ago, honed it, stropped it, and shaved with it. Stropped it and shaved with it. Did that same routine several times. What piqued my curiosity was that the shaves started out good, very good and got better. I have no razors which will out shave them for either closeness or comfort.

I even got a couple more - they are in my travel kit. I've always been a believer in "if something works well, you need at least a couple more of them just in case something out there starts to bollix up the works" or, if you've got a good AD going it won't be too long before it becomes an AAAAAAAAAD.

Stainless steel razors tend to be a bit softer than the hardened to the max carbon steel razors, but are also quite wear resistant from the extra chromium, so they have different honing characteristics. My theory is that once a stainless steel razor is sharp it can respond better to the linen and leather stropping regimens to maintain that sharpness. Mine haven't needed a hone or pasted paddle touch up for a long time and continue to shave smoothly.

Hyper thesis - hypo thesis? Hype or just a pile? Dunno, but it sounds good to my ears so I'm sticking with it.