J.A. Henckels Zwillingswerk

**Painter** · 03-01-2010, 06:42 PM

Historically is there a significance between Zwillingswerk and Twinworks blade?

**mdunn** · 03-01-2010, 07:58 PM

im pretty sure its the same place, but was called twinworks later on

**charismata** · 03-01-2010, 08:08 PM

zwilling means "twin" in German. It might be time frame. But I think it probably just depends on which market it was originally created for.

**holli4pirating** · 03-01-2010, 08:56 PM

I have been told that blades stamped Zwillingswerk came out of the factory totally finished, others did not. I don't know if they were ground or scaled or what elsewhere, but they did not leave as complete razors.

The only ones I don't think this applies to is the NOS Friodurs that are popping up.

**huntmol** · 03-02-2010, 01:14 PM

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

I have been told that blades stamped Zwillingswerk came out of the factory totally finished, others did not. I don't know if they were ground or scaled or what elsewhere, but they did not leave as complete razors.

+1 I too have heard this.

Since I own a Zwillingswerk, I personally believe that because it was 100% completed in the factory that it is superior to other Henckels

**Painter** · 03-03-2010, 04:53 PM

Holli4pirating what do you know about those NOS Friodurs. I just got one in today(Zwillingswerk) with crappy scales job. The blade is sharp and shave ready and whoever put the scales on(low skill) did not finish the blade.

Historical significance #1. "Zwillingswerk" - sounds cooler. Sorry Queen Elizabeth Tudor your still my fav.

**holli4pirating** · 03-03-2010, 06:31 PM

Painter - I don't really know. I have heard that there are old blanks that are being ground, but I have also heard that there are old ground razors popping up. I have no idea which is true; I don't even have a guess. I would say, however, that the pinning/scales are not "old" - as you noted, the quality is just not there. I had a couple of them, and the peening left rough edges.

I have honed two of them, so far, and they have been extremely easy to hone and shaved extremely well. They were catching on hanging arm hairs, which makes me think I could have stropped and shaved right out of the box (well, plastic sleeve and wrapping paper), but I started on the Naniwa 5k as if I'd just set the bevel, then to the Nani 8 and my finisher in the standard progression. Even more proof to me (in addition to a bunch of others that I've done) that stainless is no more difficult to hone than carbon steel.

**huntmol** · 03-03-2010, 07:53 PM

I got one of those NOS Friodurs and immediately returned it due to an uneven spine. I've heard others complain of bad scales or poor honing on them, so I'd be hesitant to recommend one.

**Painter** · 03-04-2010, 03:43 PM

We need Inspector Clouseau. Maybe it's just a simple name change to extend their market. As English is the international language of trade and commerce; except in Texas and California. On Lynn Abram's DVD he mentions that a prewar Henckels is preferable; well then there must be a way to date these. I have an NOS in box Henckels Twinworks Friodur purchased from Bob's Razor Works and it has the number 451 stamped on the tang. The NOS Zwillingswerk is not number, and it's spine is straight and bevel lightly honed. Somebody must know the story on these vintage/antique NOS Friodurs, as they are very desirable.

Here's what I've learned so far - Zwillingswerk razors are significant since 1. they were completely finished in Henckels factory
2. the German sounds manly

I'll try to search the web for more info.

**holli4pirating** · 03-04-2010, 04:08 PM

Originally Posted by Painter

We need Inspector Clouseau. Maybe it's just a simple name change to extend their market. As English is the international language of trade and commerce; except in Texas and California. On Lynn Abram's DVD he mentions that a prewar Henckels is preferable; well then there must be a way to date these. I have an NOS in box Henckels Twinworks Friodur purchased from Bob's Razor Works and it has the number 451 stamped on the tang. The NOS Zwillingswerk is not number, and it's spine is straight and bevel lightly honed. Somebody must know the story on these vintage/antique NOS Friodurs, as they are very desirable.

Here's what I've learned so far - Zwillingswerk razors are significant since 1. they were completely finished in Henckels factory
2. the German sounds manly

I'll try to search the web for more info.

Point 1 does not include the NOS Friodurs, or at least not all of them.

You can date Henckels in part by the logo - that changed over the years. You can also date them if you come across sales ads or catalogs for them. I've seen a lot of Henckels razors, and while I do believe the numbers refer to the model of the razor, I have no idea how the number correlates to the size, grind, point, or anything else about the razor. If anyone knows, please share - I am curious.

**marcol1935** · 03-04-2010, 04:24 PM

I have a j.a.henckel sterling silver razor trying to fiz a date and valuation on it has a 1 stamped on it

**holli4pirating** · 03-04-2010, 04:41 PM

What do you mean when you say it is sterling silver?

**Doc4** · 03-04-2010, 05:38 PM

Originally Posted by Painter

... On Lynn Abram's DVD he mentions that a prewar Henckels is preferable; well then there must be a way to date these. ...

If it says "made in West Germany" ... it's not pre-war.

**Painter** · 03-05-2010, 12:23 PM

Originally Posted by Doc4

If it says "made in West Germany" ... it's not pre-war.

Doc WWII is over! Well that means that all razors made after the Berlin wall are stamped Zwilling, maybe. Good, one more clue. These razors are really old. I have a Non XLL Joseph Allen and Sons that uses a piece of lead to separate the scales. I feel like emailing Henckels.

**holli4pirating** · 03-05-2010, 12:26 PM

Originally Posted by Painter

Well that means that all razors made after the Berlin wall are stamped Zwilling, maybe.

No, it doesn't. It's already stated a few times in this thread that the Zwillingswerk stamp is on razors that were totally finished at the Henckels factory, with the exception of at least some of the NOS Friodurs that are popping up.

**Painter** · 03-05-2010, 01:19 PM

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

No, it doesn't. It's already stated a few times in this thread that the Zwillingswerk stamp is on razors that were totally finished at the Henckels factory, with the exception of at least some of the NOS Friodurs that are popping up.

Yes, thank you Holli. I meant after it COLLAPSED! Growing up in the 80's was tough because of nuclear bombs; my mind slipped.

And, I understand now that 'some' of the current NOS blade alone Friodurs are/where unfinished. I must have a good one, as it feels very surgical/professional to my NON XLL.

We have got ourselves a mystery. How many other stashes of fine quality razors are out there. Maybe we could just say that these blades were in the basement of the Cologne Cathedral. Really are these NOS Friodur blades on the market know considered damaged goods in any way. I doubt these units were culled.