Thread: Friodur purchased real or fake? Expert opinions requested.

Hi straight razor experts,

Please have look at attached picture of a Friodur I just purchased over Ebay.

It's on it's way to me now via couier.

After buying it I am getting the nagging feeling it might not be a real one?

Reason for this question is that I spotted that the "cut" of the razor blade towards the "stem" is totally different of the one I have or from the ones I have seen so far.

Perhaps it is because of a much earlier production date, perhaps Friodurs sometimes came like this.

Just a kind request to you experts to either put my mind at ease or to confirm my fears.

Another question: what in your opinions is the "size" of the blade?

The auction stated it to be "Friodur INOX Germany NO STAIN 50 1/2" and I don't know what 50 1/2 means.

It can be a 4/8 or a 5/8 and the seller didn't know the answer: information welcome.

Looking forward to your feedbacks.

Kindest regards, Jazor.

I'm no authority on Friodurs, but it looks like a legit razor to me. Can't see the stamps 100%, but I doubt that it's a fake. It wouldn't seem very cost effective to fake something to this level.

I believe the blade is 5/8. It does not look like a 4/8. If it is a fake it is one hell of a fake. Maybe when you recieve it you can take better pictures. I think it is real.

@ Del1r1um: thanks for your feedback. Agree with you that copying these kind of items might not be useful as the profits might not be huge.

@ nicknbleeding: thank you for your feedback. I'll post more pics when it's received. Then also I can see the box it comes in.

It was sold as NOS so at the time of my "impuls purchase" I felt it was safe to buy. Just felt a bit weird when I started to compare it with all other Friodur pics on this site and others after the impuls purchase rush was over...

Anyone has any information for me on what the 50 1/2 on the stem means?

Kindest regards, Jazor.

Nobody has ever been able to make any sense of Henckels numbering. I've seen several Henckels with the exact same number but showed 2 completely different grinds and models. But some models are known like the 415, 405, 50, 70, 72 etc...

As to your razor. It's legit. I've seen a few exactly the same.

Max has answered your question. I just want to congratulate you on a beautiful razor. A shoulderless grind Friodur is cool.

@ Maximilian: thanks for putting my mind at ease. Weird thing this numbering issue...

@ JimmyHAD: thanks, to be honest this is what sparked my initial purchase impulse. It looked nice and I took the risk of buying NOS without much knowledge / experience.

Generally I just love "no nonsense / no frills" functional quality.

Can't wait to get it: I'll sure post detailed pics soon after it arrived.

Thanks all for your feedbacks and help!

Kindest regards, Jazor.

I had a razor just like that very briefly. Last I knew, it was in Gugi's hands.

Thats the real deal. and very pretty they are!

I, too, have a Henckels Friodur 50 1/2 razor. Mine looks like yours, but the tang stamp is a little different, and the "50 1/2" is stamped on the monkey tail of mine. I believe the number 50 signifies the model number of the razor. I also believe that the 1/2 signifies that the razor is 1/2 hollow ground.

@ Magpie: Thanks. Nice model indeed, can't wait to get it and try it out.

@ altshaver: Thanks for the feedback. Makes sense what you are stating: my other Friodur has 72 1/2 stamped into it. That one could be a "model 72 and half hollow grind".

Kindest regards, Jazor.