SMF

Posted: **Mon Jun 06, 2011 5:04 am**

I know some of us have one or many of these. I'd love to hear opinions of those who've used them regularly. Any tips, pointers, cautions, or raves you'd like to share? (Publicly, or by PM, if you prefer.)

Posted: **Mon Jun 06, 2011 6:09 am**

I have a set of seven that are my daily shavers, and another for travel. Very sharp, nicely balanced and little worry about corrosion.

Chris

Posted: **Mon Jun 06, 2011 6:23 am**

Outstanding lineup Chris.

Right now I'm looking at available razors in 13/16; 7/8; and 8/8, all with standard scales of course. Do you have a preference in blade width? I know it's purely a personal preference, and I seem to enjoy using razors from 11/16 up to about 13/16 or so, even though I do have a couple that are barely 5/8. I think 7/8 is borderline. Another question, are Henckels generally heavy compared to other full or half hollow blades? I like razors with a bit of heft.

Posted: **Mon Jun 06, 2011 6:33 am**

They are extra hollow, so not as heavy as you might expect for the width. Mine are all 7/8 or 8/8.

I also have two on the wall of shame with the teardrop shaped scales in coloured laminated epoxy-soaked wood. These scales are heavy enough that they are awkward to use. I don't see any of those at Shaving Shop at present, but if you meet one somewhere be aware they are awkward.

Chris

Posted: **Tue Jun 07, 2011 5:16 pm**

nice looking set

Posted: **Tue Jun 07, 2011 5:50 pm**

Reviews on other forums refer to the word "bland", which mystifies me. I'm hoping, by posting this topic, to get comments from several guys who may be familiar with these razors. I know Chris enjoys them immensely. Surely he's not the only one around here who knows a thing or two about these.

Posted: **Tue Jun 07, 2011 6:39 pm**

drmoss_ca wrote:I have a set of seven that are my daily shavers, and another for travel. Very sharp, nicely balanced and little worry about corrosion.

Chris

Mostly true for the inox... but Im pretty sure there are carbon steel friodurs out there too. Also people need to remember that stainless isn't actually rustproof. It is just VERY resistant. I've got a couple Hess Stainless 44's with HEAVY pitting on the tangs from abuse (luckily blades are still good). So still be sure to dry your blades and oil them if they're gonna sit a long time in a humid environment, even if stainless.

Also, cool set. What are the blade sizes?

Posted: **Tue Jun 07, 2011 6:55 pm**

I've never used one, so I'm no help. I see them for sale at Classic and the Shave Shop. Also, on ebay at times. Maybe they're bland because there are still plenty around. If they were scarce they would be more trendy. (Chris's don't look bland to me by the way!)

Posted: **Wed Jun 08, 2011 1:37 am**

Bland? Any razor that does its job as well as these doesn't deserve that title, which could only be given by someone who is more interested in looks than function. Dilettantes!

Chris

Posted: **Wed Jun 08, 2011 5:00 pm**

Top drawer shavers in my opinion. I'll put them up against all comers.

I prefer 13/16ths. For some reason I also tend to have a slight bias in favor of the ones with the 72 1/2 stamped on the shank rather than the tail. I think it has to do more with the tail being a bit longer and slimmer on the shank stamped ones I have compared to the tail stamped examples.

As long as these razors are honed correctly, I can't imagine calling them bland.

Posted: **Thu Jun 09, 2011 5:27 am**

Wowza, nice!

I've never seen that style before (the second photo). 1731-1981 Must be a 250 year commemorative addition?

Posted: **Thu Jun 09, 2011 8:52 am**

Correct, a Henckels 250th anniversary Friodur.

Yes, I shave with her.

Posted: **Thu Jun 09, 2011 9:37 am**

drmoss_ca wrote:I have a set of seven that are my daily shavers, and another for travel. Very sharp, nicely balanced and little worry about corrosion.
Chris

Beautiful set, hope the 'Bloodwood' didn't earn it's name the hard way

Posted: **Thu Jun 09, 2011 9:54 pm**

I have a couple Friodurs lying around, and if it says anything, when I needed to part with some razors, I sold some near mint satinedges and kept the Friodurs. I'm just partial to them I guess; as the 'ducks were nice as well. I have an Eicker that I have similar affinity for, also inox.
If there are any non-inox Friodurs out there it would surprise me, didn't think they used cryo tempering on their other blades.
I haven't tried the new Friodurs (I have a family now and the new ones aren't cheap) but the old ones are excellent.
To each his own, of course.
John P.

Posted: **Fri Jun 10, 2011 1:33 am**

John Crowley has told me the Friodurs he sells are 'mostly blanks left over when production ceased.' I haven't seen any reason to speculate about the use of 'mostly' but if production were to restart I would soon go bankrupt!

Chris

Posted: **Fri Jun 10, 2011 3:52 pm**

I see some familiar faces.

I'm a very big fan of Friodurs. I think their prevalence on eBay and the forums has made them underrated. My favorite Friodur at the moment is the 72-V. It's the only 1/4 hollow Friodur.

Posted: **Fri Jun 10, 2011 3:55 pm**

Telly, maybe one of these days you'll come across an extra quarter hollow Friodur, and if you do, please give me a heads-up!

Posted: **Sat Jun 11, 2011 2:15 pm**

Telly has some now and then

Two of the three razors in my pictures came through him. In fact the photo of the 250 year Friodur is his photo I snatched after I purchased the razor!

Posted: **Wed Jun 15, 2011 4:54 pm**

I have a Henkels Platinum that takes a great edge.What is the difference between my Platinum and the Friodur?

Paul

Posted: **Wed Jun 15, 2011 9:20 pm**

EastTexasMan wrote:I have a Henkels Platinum that takes a great edge.What is the difference between my Platinum and the Friodur?

Paul

I've never heard of the Platinum. Do you have a photo?

SMF

Henckels Friodur

Henckels Friodur