Thread: Henckels "Friodur" 7/8 round point NOS

Henckels razors are well known for their performance. Many people like them. I have recently had the distinct pleasure of acquiring a few of them for very reasonable money (thanks, Jim and Tim!). This one, however, is different. According to a trusted source, a batch of four thousand of these razors was recently offered to various vendors. This razor comes from eBay via the Ben, for which many thanks. It is a 7/8 round point in stainless steel. I do not know whether the scales are original or were retro-fit.

Craftsmanship: The stamp on the front side of the tang is not quite perfect, and there are some minuscule grind marks in this area, too. The razor is otherwise flawless, down to the perfect sating finish. The utilitarian design is something I consider a pro, but some may want to replace the cheap plastic scales with something more fitting, like horn. The rivets (instead of pins) are a nice touch, but they were not filed completely flat. So, 8.5 over all, but 9.5 for the blade itself.

Balance: Perfect.

Collectability: I gave it a 7, although it should really be something like a 2 if there really is said cache of four thousand razors. At the moment, they are sold in batches of ten or more.

Price: I paid USD 100 for mine about a month ago. I still consider this an outstanding deal. Since then, some of them have entered the market at about USD 120, which is still very good, given the typically higher prices large blades demand.

Overall: The razor came with a factory edge which I could hone up to shave readiness within 20 minutes using a Coticule. Despite its stainless steel, it is obviously relatively easy to hone. Time will tell whether it will hold its edge well, but other users say it will.

The razor shaves very well, with its hollow grind still providing sufficient stiffness for me to consider it easy to handle.

If I had to find a comparison, I would say that it shaves like my Dorko "300" - bland but efficient.

I know that we recommend 5-6/8 razors for beginners, but if you want a big blade, this one should fit your bill, not least because it offers excellent value for money.

Excellent Review Robin.