Henckels Platinum/Torrey Little Shaver

After hearing all of the stories on here about finding nice straights in antique stores, I gave it a try. I live in the boonies near a very small town so I wasn't expecting much. Here's what I brought home:

The first razor is a Torrey with "Little Shaver" etched on the blade. I don't usually like the faux bamboo, but this razor was just kind of neat. It's a scaled down version, shorter but still around 5/8" wide. I included my 6/8 Torrey for comparison in one shot. I may rescale down the road.

The next is a Henckels Platinum 401. Never thought I would own a razor this nice -- German steel, famous craftsmanship, etc. I usually stick to American steel because I feel like I can buy 'more' razor for the $ (on the 'bay). This one has a few small rust/water stains, and the very end of the tang has rust and pitting, but should clean up nice!

Paid $14 each.

Happy Hunting!

Wow! That is a much nicer than usual vintage Henckels Platinum. They are excellent shavers. Great score, and now you have added antiquing to your repertoire. I scored a nice Hess 5/8 at an antique store yesterday-you will occasionally find a great bargain, and a lot of junk. Always worth it to browse the antique stores, IME.

That's a pretty great score Jason...well done :tu. Especially the Henckels....what a blade!! Enjoy them in good health

Thanks guys. Yeah, it's amazing how many overpriced or hopelessly chipped an' rusty pieces I looked at before seeing these. I guess it's one extreme or the other!

Glad to hear the Henckels are good shavers, I'm smitten! Just when I thought I had 'enough razors', these just had to come along!

I LOVE the "little" Torrey. If you ever wanna get rid of it gimme a shout.

I'll keep you in mind nubskillz :). Thanks!

Both look like great finds congrats hope they shave well.

Jason,

Those are some nice looking razors you picked up in your local antique store chief. Vintage Torreys and Henckels are great shavers. Get them properly honed and you are well on your way to entering straight shaving nirvana Congrats!

nice score.

WOW! Very nice finds!! You did great.

'Like them both. The henckel will get the attention, but I think you're right about the US steel being very under-rated. I've love the shaves from the Gencos, Shumates. 'Hope to try a Torrey some day. Enjoy!!

Torrey's are fantastic shaver. On par with the best.

I'd love to have a collection like this.

Awesome find guy, you win!! :beer2:

Brock

Hmmm, antique stores eh, where the hell is my phone book?

I got the 'Little Shaver' honed up last night... shaves just as nice as the big black Torrey in the 2nd pic (which is one of my favorite blades)! Was a pleasure to shave with, easier for me to shave with that short 5/8 blade than my 4/8 straight! Will make a neat travel razor. Posting a SOTD with it today...

The end of the tang on the Henckels has some pretty deep pitting on the very end, much worse than my pics show. Going to take some serious work to make it look as nice as the rest of the razor. May have to shelve it until I (hopefully) get a buffer set up this winter.

Happy Shaving...

I want to try one of those. Holli4pirating mentioned he thought they had an edge on the Gencos, and I LOVE my Genco. 'Used it this morn, and wish I had one w/ the weight of the Wackers. I have med. large hands, and the weight & girth of the shank help with steadiness/comfort.

From your standpoint w/ the Torreys - are there particular models that are better than others? In the Gencos, I've not heard of a bad one, but my 'fluid steel' is kind of typical - plain jane, daily driver, that gives an insanely good shave, takes a great edge. One member posted a photo of a Genco "Henry's Triumph" - the first fancy Genco I've ever seen. It was beautiful.

'Hope this Torrey serves you as well as your other one. The shorter blade might just be an improvement. It's rare that we get to really utilize the entire length of a blade at once - might as well get the extra maneuverability of the shorter blade.

The platinum is a fantastic razor.. they take a great edge and give wonderful shaves... congrats!

Dave

Congrats on a great score. Both are great shavers and the Platinum is in really nice shape! I prefer spending the time hunting local finds over EBay every day of the week. Much better prices as you already know and the chance of finding an exceptional razor, also as you know.

Aren't local finds just GREAT?! :mexwave:

pinklather,

I've got less then a dozen razors, and I've only been using straights for about 1 1/2 yrs, so I'm no expert. That said right now my Geneva SS Pyramid 7 is my absolute favorite shaver, although the Torrey's are close. Of course it could just be how each razor agreed with hones for me, blade shape pref., moon phase, etc.:).

As far as Torrey models I can't help out much, I only have the two. Maybe someone else will chime in.

The 6/8 Torrey I have has some pretty good heft to the blade, you might like it. Not too purdy, but she sure can shave! If you want to try it out just shoot me a PM. I'm not interested in selling it, but at least you would know if you like 'em.

Jason

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by pinklather

I want to try one of those. Holli4pirating mentioned he thought they had an edge on the Gencos, and I LOVE my Genco. 'Used it this morn, and wish I had one w/ the weight of the Wackers. I have med. large hands, and the weight & girth of the shank help with steadiness/comfort.

From your standpoint w/ the Torreys - are there particular models that are better than others? In the Gencos, I've not heard of a bad one, but my 'fluid steel' is kind of typical - plain jane, daily driver, that gives an insanely good shave, takes a great edge. One member posted a photo of a Genco "Henry's Triumph" - the first fancy Genco I've ever seen. It was beautiful.

'Hope this Torrey serves you as well as your other one. The shorter blade might just be an improvement. It's rare that we get to really utilize the entire length of a blade at once - might as well get the extra maneuverability of the shorter blade.

---