Thread: Something a little Aust of the ordinary...

Right. We've had Dovo Bismarcks for years, some very nice Revisoren, and some Wackers. All using the same Herkenrath forged 6/8 blades. Here is another addition, the latest Aust razors:

You are looking at 6/8 full hollows with scalloped backs:

So, gentlemen, what do you think of the scalloped backs? I think they are very pleasing to the eye. These particular razors have no jimps or etching upon request. The thumbnotch is executed in a way that makes the razors very easy to strop, hone, or handle (unlike certain Wacker razors from the same type of blank I have previously tried, more like a Revisor, and definitely better than the otherwise nice Dovo Bismarcks).

Three friends of mine and I have had ours (prototypes) for some months, and I could not be happier with mine. I like their understated elegance (ie no jimps, goldwash, or, heaven forbid, laser etching of the blade, although all these features are available if you order direct, as well as several types of points). Speaking of ordering, if you reside outside the EU, I would suggest that you wait for Straight Razor Designs to start carrying these, as shipping will be a lot cheaper.

Oh, and here is the original announcement by Aust.

I'm in love !!

Robin,

Good show on the Ralf Aust razors; they are quite handsome. I have several standard Ralf Aust razors and all are superb shavers, especially a little old 5/8 that is a knockout. Good stuff.

What is not to like? They have made a razor in one of my favourite blade styles and sizes that has simple, clean classic lines with the scalloped spine adding a touch of understated class imho. Personal preference for me would be upper and lower jimping. That model just might tempt me into buying only my second brand new production razor to go with a similar Revisor model I have. For me it has the makings of a winner.

Bob

I'd love another Aust, but every time I try to order through the website, it tells me that there are no shipping options available to the US. I have also tried to contact Herr Aust with no success ... I wish I could find a solution, as I'd love another Aust razor!

[QUOTE=RobinK;1420172]Right. We've had Dovo Bismarcks for years, some very nice Revisoren, and, of course, some rather horrible Wackers. All using the same Herkenrath forged 6/8 blades. Here is another addition, the latest Aust razors:
You are looking at 6/8 full hollows with scalloped backs

QUOTE]

Originally Posted by RobinK

Aust and Revisor are, in my very humble opinion, the only modern production razors worth having. I have bought, and subsequently sold, my fair share of Wacker razors, and I will not buy another. Their price/craftsmanship ratio is simply not what I expect for the price. Dovo? If you like mass produced razors (ie tens of thousands), and buy from a retailer who inspects each and every razor meticulously, they might be an option. But if you want something that is hand crafted, it is either Aust or Revisor.

How do you reconcile these statements? Given that they come from the same factory made blanks then the difference is down to grind and finish - all done by hand. I cannot comment on the quality of Aust or Revisor - what I can say is that my Wacker Chevalier is beyond reproach - as is my Dovo Bergischer Lowe.

[QUOTE=UKRob;1420202]

Originally Posted by RobinK

Right. We've had Dovo Bismarcks for years, some very nice Revisoren, and, of course, some rather horrible Wackers. All using the same Herkenrath forged 6/8 blades. Here is another addition, the latest Aust razors:
You are looking at 6/8 full hollows with scalloped backs

QUOTE]



How do you reconcile these statements? Given that they come from the same factory made blanks then the difference is down to grind and finish - all done by hand. I cannot comment on the quality of Aust or Revisor - what I can say is that my Wacker Chevalier is beyond reproach - as is my Dovo Bergischer Lowe.

And herein lies a tremendous difference!

This is a skilled trade ... not something picked up in a week or two. Look over Revisor's site of the old Craftsmen that work for Herr Kronenberg. This gives me confidence in their product. As the old guard moves on through retirement or demise, the skills are often lost to the trade forever. The same has happened in other industries ... such as Fabrique Nationale in Belgium, fabricators of the famous Browning firearms.

One cannot discount the effect that gifted hands have on the final product!

Originally Posted by UKRob

How do you reconcile these statements? Given that they come from the same factory made blanks then the difference is down to grind and finish - all done by hand.

Dovos all done by hand? You wish...

Originally Posted by UKRob

I cannot comment on the quality of Aust or Revisor - what I can say is that my Wacker Chevalier is beyond reproach - as is my Dovo Bergischer Lowe.

I am sure that your Wacker and Dovo are quite similar in quality. Which is very much what I said above. A friend of mine used to sell Wacker and Dovo razors, and stopped a few years ago because he had to return up to 50% of each shipment.

And here is an image of two recent Dovos, straight from the factory. I think the gentleman who took them is a member here, too. And those are not even the CNC made 5/8ths, but the allegedly hand made 6/8ths if memory serves me right.

I have sadly encountered a few brand new dovos as well with frowns in them that had to be corrected in order to get a shave-ready edge.

If you want something new that is at par with the craftsmanship of vintage razors, then indeed, Aust and Revisor are very consistant in that regard.

Originally Posted by Druid

For the most part, I agree with you completely, but, I've been blessed with my Wackers. I love them, and they're great shavers, but if you're talking about price/performance, the Revisoren and Aust win hands down. It warms my heart to see Craftsmen at their best.

+1 I like Aust, and what Revisors I've had, but IME the two Wackers I've had were equal with any other razor, and better than many. Why the OP feels it necessary to bash a vendor in a post showing a pair of another vendor's razors is beyond my limited imagination ....... unless there is an agenda going on in the background.