Heribert Wacker Straight Razors

[AandW]

Hello All,

I am considering getting a 1/4 ground Spanish point straight from HERE (http://www.shavingshop.com/index.php?category=74). I have not decided on the exact model. I am actually more concerned with getting a 1/4 grind -or- wedge. So, are Heribert Wacker straights a good choice or are better options to be had in the 1/4 grind/wedge realm. Any opinions and help would be much appreciated.

[LX_Emergency]

As far as I understand they're pretty decent. Don't have any personal experience though.

[JohnP]

You HAD to list that didn't you, just when I thought I had all the straights I needed.
They do look nice.
John P.

[randydance062449]

You can't do much better than those. John Crowley and Mr. Wacker have put together a high quality product. Good choice of vendors!

[Steelforge]

Oh no. :frown:

[AandW]

Thank you all for the info. Just what I was looking for. I think I have found my Christmas present for this year.

I also want to apologize for contributing to anyones RAD.:biggrin:

[jnich67]

Thank you all for the info. Just what I was looking for. I think I have found my Christmas present for this year.

I also want to apologize for contributing to anyones RAD.:biggrin:

*Sigh...yes I've been eyeing that razor too. Now that I see someone else buying one.... I'll have to as well. And I'd been saving in the hope of landing another from Bill Ellis...oh the peer pressure!!! :eek:

Jordan

[moses]

Wow. Those are lovely. The only thing is... I notice that since he (obviously) does not forge his own blanks, they are all ones he has scavenged. While I am sure they are all very high quality (from reading the descriptions it certainly sounds that way), how do you know which is going to have the best steel, or what the differences are going to be. Or is it silly to be worrying about that, especially since he is doing the tempering.

I also REALLY want one of those 1/4 grinds. Probably the Spanish point light horn. Or maybe the spike point dark. Or the Rosewood....

And I don't even shave with a straight yet. I am just barely learning to use the Artist Club, and lousy at it....

But yet I REALLY want that razor. What is wrong with me?

-Mo

[jnich67]

...fuggedabouddit...:wink:

Jordan

[moses]

:001_tt1: (http://www.shavingshop.com/index.php?item=48&ret=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.shavingshop.com%2Findex.php%3 Fpage%3D1%26category%3D9)

Click the smiley.

-Mo

[Suzuki]

Wow, those are really beatiful razors.

I have a couple of old straights that I used to play with - this makes me think about breaking them out again.

[TomH]

Hi Bruce,

...let me jump into this Thread and say that you never go wrong with a Wacker straight razor.
They are very good and if you have the time, read in the German forum
www.nassrasur.com , it's also available in English..., to get more informations about Wacker razors.

Btw, they look really great, they are "little treasures"...:wink:

Thomas

[AandW]

Hi Bruce,

...let me jump into this Thread and say that you never go wrong with a Wacker straight razor.
They are very good and if you have the time, read in the German forum
www.nassrasur.com , it's also available in English..., to get more informations about Wacker razors.

Btw, they look really great, they are "little treasures"...:wink:

Thomas

Thomas,

Thanks for the info and thanks for the link.

[AandW]

:001_tt1: (http://www.shavingshop.com/index.php?item=48&ret=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.shavingshop.com%2Findex.php%3 Fpage%3D1%26category%3D9)

Click the smiley.

-Mo

Very nice. I did consider that at one time but then I decided to get THIS (http://straightrazordesigns.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=45&category_id=1&option=com_phpshop&Itemid=28). I also had it insribed with "For Father And Son" in Italian. This razor beats the pants off of any DE shave I have ever had and in only two passes. I highly recommend one of the Maestro's razors whether you are a just collector of fine quality razors or you just want a great great shaver.

Sorry. I am rambling. I just love my Maestro!:001_tt1:

[MasonM]

Very nice. I did consider that at one time but then I decided to get THIS (http://straightrazordesigns.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=45&category_id=1&option=com_phpshop&Itemid=28). I also had it insribed with "For Father And Son" in Italian. This razor beats the pants off of any DE shave I have ever had and in only two passes. I highly recommend one of the Maestro's razors whether you are a just collector of fine quality razors or you just want a great great shaver.

Sorry. I am rambling. I just love my Maestro!:001_tt1:
Very nice.

[Steelforge]

Aaargh I cracked and ordered a Henckels Friodur 7/8 razor from that site. :frown: :rolleyes:

[AandW]

Oh no. :frown:

Don't you mean OH YES!!!:biggrin:

[Steelforge]

Don't you mean OH YES!!!:biggrin:

Of course, if I can keep it hidden from my girlfriend when it arrives. :wink:

[jnich67]

Very nice. I did consider that at one time but then I decided to get THIS (http://straightrazordesigns.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=45&category_id=1&option=com_phpshop&Itemid=28). I also had it insribed with "For Father And Son" in Italian. This razor beats the pants off of any DE shave I have ever had and in only two passes. I highly recommend one of the Maestro's razors whether you are a just collector of fine quality razors or you just want a great great shaver.

Sorry. I am rambling. I just love my Maestro!:001_tt1:

Wow, really nice Bruce. I plan on ordering one within the next few months...If I could just stop buying every razor that crosses my path.

Jordan

[sphughes]

The 6/8 C Friedr Schmidt Black Revisor from John is something special....I bought one from them recently..........Shaves as smooth as silk.....(Plus I bought a 7/8 Henckels Friodur Round Point - Oryx at the same time) Just going with the RAD flow.

www.shavingshop.com

-Scott-

[Steelforge]

I went with the 7/8 Henckels Friodur roundpoint too, but with an original Henckels 'Twins' handle. :drool:

[joel]

Hello All,

I am considering getting a 1/4 ground Spanish point straight from HERE (http://www.shavingshop.com/index.php?category=74). I have not decided on the exact model. I am actually more concerned with getting a 1/4 grind -or- wedge. So, are Heribert Wacker straights a good choice or are better options to be had in the 1/4 grind/wedge realm. Any opinions and help would be much appreciated.

Just as a heads up, I spoke with John C. today, and we chit chatted a bit - and he feels the 1/4 ground razors are the best he sells (shave wise) every bit as good as his $600+ damascus razors! Another neat little factoid - the 1/4 ground blades are apparently a major PITA to make - and Wacker didn't want to make them at first. Apparently there were only 60 blanks left - IN THE WORLD, and the cast to make more is broken - so they will never be made again... John/Wacker bought all 60 of 'em - and Wacker ruined one of the 60 farmiliarizing himself with grinding the 1/4 hollow - so there are only 59 of these suckers... on earth! IF you want one.... better jump quick!

[AandW]

Apparently there were only 60 blanks left - IN THE WORLD, and the cast to make more is broken - so they will never be made again... John/Wacker bought all 60 of 'em - and Wacker ruined one of the 60 farmiliarizing himself with grinding the 1/4 hollow - so there are only 59 of these suckers... on earth! IF you want one.... better jump quick!

Now you did it! Looks like I will not be able to wait until X-MAS(I really didn't want to anyway)!:wink: :biggrin:

[AandW]

I could not take it any longer! I bought this little puppy.

Wacker 6/8 Quarter Hollow Spanish Point w/ Brazilian Rosewood Scales
2289

[Steelforge]

Ooh nice (must resist)... :drool:

[ouch]

Am I the only one who thinks that it's a great name for an adult movie star, but a terrible name for a razor?:confused:

[joel]

Am I the only one who thinks that it's a great name for an adult movie star, but a terrible name for a razor?:confused:

Yet, it would be a great name for a razor in an adult movie :scared:

[ouch]

:jump:

[moses]

Well, so.... Insane man that I am, I just bought one of these. The 1/4 hollow with spanish point and ebony scales. Which is odd, since I don't even know how to shave with a straight. But I just couldn't resist. Curious to hear Joel's review when he tries his.

Now, I just have to learn how to hold one of these darned things to get to the various areas of my face. I've been having a devil of a time with that with my Feather AC. But I just got Lynn's DVD, so that should help. After that, when I have more time, I will switch to a real straight, and learn how to hone. And don't worry, I won't be learning how to hone with the Wacker. I'll have to pick up a used cheaper for my beginner endeavors.

-Mo

[AandW]

Well, so.... Insane man that I am, I just bought one of these. The 1/4 hollow with spanish point and ebony scales. Which is odd, since I don't even know how to shave with a straight. But I just couldn't resist. Curious to hear Joel's review when he tries his.

-Mo

Mo,

Very nice. Ebony is a beautiful wood. I chose the Rosewood because my other straight has Ebony scales. I wanted a little variety.

As this is your first straight, I assume, perhaps incorrectly, that you do not have a strop yet. If that is true, I HIGHLY recommend THIS (http://shop.thewellshavedgentleman.com/displayProductDocument.hg?productId=32&categoryId=2)and THIS (http://shop.thewellshavedgentleman.com/displayProductDocument.hg?productId=2&categoryId=4)

I can not wait to try this beauty out.

[Steelforge]

I could not take it any longer! I bought this little puppy.

Wacker 6/8 Quarter Hollow Spanish Point w/ Brazilian Rosewood Scales
2289

Aargh I cracked and ordered one of these - only with light horn scales, and another Maestro too. :frown: :redface:

[sphughes]

Ha Ha...Ditto for me as well.........Here's the latest member of my family. Suprised I held out the few days that I did.

-Scott-

[moses]

Aargh I cracked and ordered one of these - only with light horn scales, and another Maestro too. :frown: :redface:

Ahah, YOU were the turkey who got the last spanish point with light horn. That was my original pick, but I delayed too much. Seriously though, I am pretty happy with the ebony.

-Mo

[Dinder1]

I made a phone call today to John, and came very close to pulling the trigger on one of these as well, the only thing that stopped me was that he is getting a new batch of razors in next week.:eek: I can see this becoming a addiction quite easily, I just hope its not as bad as the SBAD:rolleyes:
Cheers, DJ.

[AandW]

Aargh I cracked and ordered one of these - only with light horn scales, and another Maestro too. :frown: :redface:

Another Maestro???:w00t: Which one?

A Wacker? A Friodur? Pace yourself my friend. Pace yourself.

What is your girlfriend going to say? Or...Are you going to hide your most recent purchase like I am? :biggrin:

Enjoy!

[Steelforge]

I'm not saying about the Maestro just yet. :wink:

From John I ordered a 7/8 Henckels Friodur with white Henckels 'twins' scales, and also a 6/8 Wacker quarter hollow with light horn scales.

You say he has some new razors coming next week, hmmm......

Another one would bring my collection up to a full 7+1 rotation. :drool: :lol:

And yes I plan to just hide them, she doesn't know much about razors so hopefully I can just say they were all ebay cheapies and get away with it. :thumbup: :blush:

[sphughes]

John sent me an email saying to look for the new stuff by Sunday; very cool indeed.

Usually what I do when working a new 'toy' into the household is to make use of the 30 rule. I am very discreet and cautious about where I leave it and make sure that it won't be accidently discovered. After the requisite 30 days has elapsed, I can say with all openess and candor that it isn't new and that I have had it for while.

(*Note - This rule applies to power tools, electronics, golf items etc.)

-Scott-

[AandW]

John sent me an email saying to look for the new stuff by Sunday; very cool indeed.

-Scott-

Uh Oh! My wife is home and I am at work. I hope he did not send me an email or I am going to be in trouble again. I timed my purchase so it was at the beginning of the credit card cycle and would be a month at least before my wife got the statement and found out about my new toy.:eek:

[Suzuki]

Uh Oh! My wife is home and I am at work. I hope he did not send me an email or I am going to be in trouble again. I timed my purchase so it was at the beginning of the credit card cycle and would be a month at least before my wife got the statement and found out about my new toy.:eek:

This is why my wife and I have our own credit cards!

[Steelforge]

This is why my wife and I have our own credit cards!

Same here. :wink:

What I'm worried about, is my collection will jump from 2 to 7 in the next few days when my orders all arrive - and it's bound to be noticed! I don't know how the hell I'm going to hide the sudden influx unless I stash them all somewhere secretly and smuggle one out each day for my shave. :001_unsur :lol:

[AandW]

Looks like we cleaned John out of the Quarter Hollow Spanish Points.:w00t:

[Steelforge]

Looks like we cleaned John out of the Quarter Hollow Spanish Points.:w00t:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v496/Iwan_P1/excellent.jpg

[AandW]

The package has arrived. By the grace of the razor gods, I was able to intercept the package and smuggle into the house before my wife got home. Report on how well this sucker shaves to follow.

[Steelforge]

The package has arrived. By the grace of the razor gods, I was able to intercept the package and smuggle into the house before my wife got home. Report on how well this sucker shaves to follow.

:lol:

My girlfriend is off work today as well as me, so I have a horrible feeling all the razors/soaps/strops I'm waiting on will arrive in one go on a huge truck. :blink:

Hopefully the mail will come early in the next hour or two while she's still sleeping, then if she hears the doorbell I can say it was religious crackpots or something. :laugh: :thumbup1:

[jnich67]

I got so busted like this yesterday. Four packages (including my 1/4 hollow wacker with light horn:biggrin: ) arrived on the same day - one of them samples that I didn't even order! The wife told me that I have "problem". Go figure...:eek:

Jordan


:lol:

My girlfriend is off work today as well as me, so I have a horrible feeling all the razors/soaps/strops I'm waiting on will arrive in one go on a huge truck. :blink:

Hopefully the mail will come early in the next hour or two while she's still sleeping, then if she hears the doorbell I can say it was religious crackpots or something. :laugh: :thumbup1:

[moses]

Mine showed up today. This is my first and only straight, so I am a little ignorant, but WOW, this thing is beautiful. Just looking at it makes me want to immediately throw away all of my other razors. (Not gonna do it, though.... Wouldn't be prudent).

Mine showed up at work. So I only had to deal with the ignominy of having a very senior attorney down the hall deliver it to me personally. We share the same secretary, who has been out for months, so the mail sits in her bin until one of us picks it up. Which is usually him, because her station is right outside his office.

-Mo

[sphughes]

My package from John arrived yesterday as well. What a think of beauty the new razor is. The only thing that saved me was the box of T & H creme purchased from the clearance arrived along with the razor and most importantly, a package to the kids from my Mother in Law which provided the perfect diversion. I focused attention on what Grandma sent as I stashed away my stuff.

This morning I wiped off the mineral oil from the blade, introduced it to my strop, whipped up a bowl of the T & H West Indies Lime and proceeded to enjoy shaving nirvana. What an experience that 6/8 Wacker Quarter Hollow Spanish Point is. Life is good and getting better........

A Maestro is on the way.....

-Scott-

[moses]

Scott,

You didn't mention honing it first? I was under the impression that was always required with new razors. And mine seems pretty dull - won't shave hair on the back of my hand worth a darn.

-Mo

[sphughes]

This is the 4th razor I've bought from John and he has honed (or had honed) each one prior to sending it to me. I have only had to strop them prior to use out of the box. Each of the 3 I already have from him I have honed subsequently, but I got a number of shaves out of each of them prior to honing them myself.

Here is a link to some of John's 'rescued' razors. http://www.straightedgerazors.com/index.php?ind=classifieds His are the ones with the twobitjohn @yahoo.com address starting on the second page.

-Scott-

[moses]

Ah. That makes sense. I didn't ask him to hone mine.

Glad to hear it is a great shaver.

I think I will get a used cheapo to learn with though, before I bother having this one honed (much less trying to do it myself). Some of those John is selling at the link you provide might be promising, in fact.

-Mo

[Gaelicboy]

You didn't mention honing it first? I was under the impression that was always required with new razors. And mine seems pretty dull - won't shave hair on the back of my hand worth a darn.


Honing generally is required with new razors. WHen you ordered from Shavingshop, did you also order the $20 honing service under "services"?

This may be why your razor is not shave sharp.

whoops, I'm a bit slow on the response. Moses, did you mean you "didn't" ask him to hone it?

[moses]

Um, yeah, thanks. That was what I meant. Oh well, I will just wait until I become competent at honing, or send it off to Lynn or someone.

-Mo

[Steelforge]

I'm happy, all that arrived today were some soaps and they got here while my girlfriend was asleep. :biggrin:

She's back at work the rest of the week so hopefully everything will arrive while it can be quietly hidden in dark corners, to be gradually brought out into the light over the next few weeks. :lol:

[jnich67]

Um, yeah, thanks. That was what I meant. Oh well, I will just wait until I become competent at honing, or send it off to Lynn or someone.

-Mo

I'm under the impression that John sends all his razors out shave-ready. Try stropping it up and shaving with it. That way you'll know.

Jordan

[AandW]

I'm under the impression that John sends all his razors out shave-ready. Try stropping it up and shaving with it. That way you'll know.

Jordan

He used to. However, when I first became interested in these razors, I noticed that only the Rosewood quarter hollow stated that it would be honed prior to shipment. When I asked John about this, he stated that he used to hone all of his razors prior to shipment. He explained that he no longer does this because it took too much of his time to hone all of his razors and that the quality of the final product may not always be up to snuff. So, now he charges $20 to hone a new razor prior to shipment, which I think is fair and seems to be the going rate to have a straight honed by someone who knows what they are doing.

I did pay to have my razor honed and all that was needed for it's maiden voyage was a good stropping. I have to say that it is a pretty good shaver right out of the box. But...I decided to kick it up a notch and strop it on one of Tony Miller's 4 sided pasted stops(highly recommended). Now the whiskers are scared.

[AandW]

All I can say is that my wife is good. Right before she went to work tonight, she showed me a sticky with "Pay Pal - John Crowely...$194.95". She then proceeded to interrogate me. However, I stood my ground and I denied, denied, denied and acted like I had absolutely no clue what she was talking about. She then asked, "Is it for my birthday"? All I said was, "Could be. Maybe it is your Christmas present". I then got the "EVIL EYE" and she went to work. I know she does not believe me and as soon as she comes home tomorrow morning, she is going to rip this house apart while looking for my latest acquisitions. Looks like I am taking a few things to work tomorrow!:wink:

I don't know waht is more fun? Shaving, buying new products, trying new products or hiding my new products?:biggrin:

[Gaelicboy]

He used to. However, when I first became interested in these razors, I noticed that only the Rosewood quarter hollow stated that it would be honed prior to shipment. When I asked John about this, he stated that he used to hone all of his razors prior to shipment. He explained that he no longer does this because it took too much of his time to hone all of his razors and that the quality of the final product may not always be up to snuff. So, now he charges $20 to hone a new razor prior to shipment, which I think is fair and seems to be the going rate to have a straight honed by someone who knows what they are doing.

I did pay to have my razor honed and all that was needed for it's maiden voyage was a good stropping. I have to say that it is a pretty good shaver right out of the box. But...I decided to kick it up a notch and strop it on one of Tony Miller's 4 sided pasted stops(highly recommended). Now the whiskers are scared.

I received mine (1/4 hollow Spanish point w/ rosewood handles) on Monday. I didn't get a chance to use it until this morning. Fantastic. This razor has, for me, the perfect weight and balance. Too bad there are none left, or I would invest in a few more as steady rotators. It looks like this is goiong to be my just-about-everyday razor.

I had ordered the honing, because I didn't see the rosewoods were pre honed. John must have taken that off of the description. Doesn't really matter. honed before I ordered or after, it has a great edge, and is a pleasure to shave with. All of you who have one, you will enjoy it.

And Moses, get thee (or thine razor) to a honemeiser!

O.K.

[jnich67]

He used to. However, when I first became interested in these razors, I noticed that only the Rosewood quarter hollow stated that it would be honed prior to shipment. When I asked John about this, he stated that he used to hone all of his razors prior to shipment. He explained that he no longer does this because it took too much of his time to hone all of his razors and that the quality of the final product may not always be up to snuff. So, now he charges $20 to hone a new razor prior to shipment, which I think is fair and seems to be the going rate to have a straight honed by someone who knows what they are doing.

I did pay to have my razor honed and all that was needed for it's maiden voyage was a good stropping. I have to say that it is a pretty good shaver right out of the box. But...I decided to kick it up a notch and strop it on one of Tony Miller's 4 sided pasted stops(highly recommended). Now the whiskers are scared.

Thanks for the up to date info Bruce. I'll give mine a quick test and see how much hone time it may need.

Jordan

[JGAR]

how is the friodur working out for yah mate?
I'm lookin for a 6/8 wacker or a 7/8-8/8 friodur myself--what is your experience so far? anyone jump in on this.

[Tony Miller]

All I can say is that my wife is good. Right before she went to work tonight, she showed me a sticky with "Pay Pal - John Crowely...$194.95". She then proceeded to interrogate me. However, I stood my ground and I denied, denied, denied and acted like I had absolutely no clue what she was talking about. She then asked, "Is it for my birthday"? All I said was, "Could be. Maybe it is your Christmas present". I then got the "EVIL EYE" and she went to work. I know she does not believe me and as soon as she comes home tomorrow morning, she is going to rip this house apart while looking for my latest acquisitions. Looks like I am taking a few things to work tomorrow!:wink:

I don't know waht is more fun? Shaving, buying new products, trying new products or hiding my new products?:biggrin:

Guys.....this is why you need a home based side business, Do you think I want to make strops in my spare time??? Hell no, it's all a front to cover the USPS boxes of toys (razors, old slide rules, vintage land rover parts, etc..) that arrive on my doorstop daily <g>. "Package??? oh that....umm, err, ohh, it's for the business, yeah, that's it, the business, it's, it's, umm, a new shipment of left handed coniveling shifters to sell on my website, yeah, that's it, you know, the ones I said were coming, the long handled ones, remember, umm, there here, hot seller, hot seller" Well, it works some of the time <g>

Tony

[Dinder1]

Tony, you are the master of spin!:biggrin:
Cheers, DJ.

[Tony Miller]

DJ,
That's exactly what my wife says. In all honesty though she never complains about boxes coming in as long as half of them are hers <g>.

Tony

[netsurfr]

I have a couple of Wacker razors and like them very much. Very nice balance and finish!

[netsurfr]

I have two Wacker razors that I am very pleased with the workmanship and the shave quality. Although I respect the opinions and reviews of JoeL, I have not found the problems that he experienced with the 1/4 hollow ground razor. And, by the way, the pictures were way ugly!!! Heaven forbid that I would get a POS razor like that.
Steve

[joel]

I have two Wacker razors that I am very pleased with the workmanship and the shave quality. Although I respect the opinions and reviews of JoeL, I have not found the problems that he experienced with the 1/4 hollow ground razor. And, by the way, the pictures were way ugly!!! Heaven forbid that I would get a POS razor like that.
Steve

Uhh.... you kinda mentioned you had a couple you like 2 months ago. In your post before this.

Why bring it back again?

[netsurfr]

Uhh.... you kinda mentioned you had a couple you like 2 months ago. In your post before this.

Why bring it back again?

Whoops! Sorry about being redundant... :redface:

[bittenfatten]

I have been looking at the same sight and find the 13/16 french point the most beautiful. I'll git 'er done eventually.