Thread: Heribert Wacker Quarter Hollow Set

I had never owned a Wacker and having read a negative review on another forum that criticized the quality control and workmanship I was not inclined to try one. Then I read a review by a member of this forum whose opinion I respect and I went over to The Shaving Shop to check out the stock.

This pair of 6/8 quarter hollow silver steel horn scaled beauties caught my eye. My tendency to go for the largest blade has lately been overcome by the realization that although I love the look of the 8/8 and larger when it comes to shaving the 5 and 6/8 are my favorites.

The same phenomenon is occurring with points. I saw these two and the Spanish point drew me in. The boring and pedestrian round point deterred me. I like wicked looking points but when the steel meets the skin I've come to realize that I love the round point too.

So I gave John a call and finding that they were available I pulled the trigger, figuratively speaking. I told John not to hone them. I knew that Wackers have a reputation for being difficult and 'chippy'. I wanted to meet the challenge and do it myself.

So a few days and the razors were in my hot little hands. Upon an overall inspection both were flawless in workmanship. Grind, blade centering, scales, fit and finish. Flawless. I skimmed the hair on my forearm with each of them and the hair was popping. Looked at the edges of both under the 30x B&L Stereoscope and they are lovely.

I took a vintage coticule that I have and sprayed it down and did some x strokes and stropped and then went and shaved with the Spanish point. Fine shave. Next day I took the round point to a light green Escher for a bit of variety and did some x strokes and stropped and shaved. Better than the Spanish point and it was fine.

As for the ratings.... flawless deserves a 10 . For the collectability that remains to be seen but I think it will be high in the future. The price was quite good IMO compared to the market for TI, Dovo and other currently available razors. So if you want this man's opinion on Heribert Wacker's razors I would say buy with confidence.





Edit, the manage attachments isn't working in the review forum so I had to go to Photobucket and cut and paste links. The ratings are checked but don't appear so they are;
Overall - 10
Craftsmanship- 10
Balance-10
Collectability - dunno but it ought to be high eventually
Price - Fair when comparing to other currently available production

Thank you for the review.
I'd really like to buy this set. Must resist!

I couldn't resist, no self control. Excellent set of razors. I don't really have any negative comments. Highly recommended.

I have a 1/4 hollow and love it! I stropped it on newspaper and that picked it up a notch and smoothed it out.

'just finished my first shave on my first wacker. It's the blond spanish point from this set, which is available as a single razor. I'm a not quite geriatric noob, in his 7th or 8th week w/ straights. This is incredible. I have a stainless hollow 5/8 Dovo (micarta) and a 1/2 hollow 5/8 astral - the astral being honed by the capable Gssixgunner. Like 'gunner, I found a 1920's Genco shaved at least as good. I would say more consistenly good than the Dovos.

Wacker: more hefty, and I like it. Beefier shank, and it's easier for my large hands to grip and control. The heavier weight and heavier grind made it much easier to use the toe with confidence. I could use the toe to scoop depressions under the jaw line and on the neck. I've no doubt an experienced shaver could do this w/ a 5/8 hollow but w/ heavier, more stable blade, it was much easier. I don't see myself using the Dovos further, so they'll be sold. I'll keep the Genco, and use occasionally.

It would be hard for me to be more impressed w/ a razor in this price range (same price that I overpaid at a brick & mortar retailer for the stainless Dovo). The only thing missing is top jimps.