Has anyone had any success dating a JA Henckels, Zwillingswerk (I believe this means twin works) razor, please? I found a picture, that I haven't managed to paste into this post, which indicates the twin icon on my soon to be delivered razor puts it between 1900 and 1968 when the icon changed to it's current form. Mine is a number 78 and I've seen higher numbers, so they didn't stick to one number for each year. Any ideas on where to look, please.
I've never thought of dating a razor, no matter how cute they are. More dangerous than kissing a girl with braces.
This question comes up regularly on several shave forums and I've yet to see a definitive answer to your question. Henckels/Zwillingswerk doesn't appear to have had a consistent numbering system corresponding to date of manufacture, but model numbers reflect blade size: 70 = 5/8, 72 = 6/8, 17 = 7/8 or 15/16; #14 i= 8/8, #59 = 4/8. There are also 1/4 hollow models, 72-V and 11-V, the latter being with an etch. The logo dating gets you in the ballpark, but rarely have I seen information that narrows the field down. General consensus: many of the yellow-scaled Zwilling razors that often pop up in auctions in good shaving condition tend to be post WWII, mid-20th century —putting them in the mid-1950s to 1960s range. Here's a Henckel Friodur ('stainless') 472 (13/16") from the mid to late 1950s.
Thank you for an answer. That seems to be a completely random numbering system; it makes no sense, unless I'm misunderstanding something. How very strange.
Part of the reason for the difficulty in deciphering systems used in the past is the seemingly random way manufacturers used them. I'm sure the answer is out there on certain German shaving forums, but I dont read German...
I wonder if you catalogued the many that seem to be for sale on eBay whether you could work out the meaning of the model numbers. For example: I've just noticed that there are quite a few with the number 72 1/2 which all have a round end to the blade while the number 72 has a very square end. This is suddenly interesting at 2:20 am suffering from insomnia. I'm going to make tea, sugar anyone?
The Interesting thing About the Later Friodur Henckels Stainless SRs from the 50s Era is that Most of them Appear to be have been Sold to Japan..Bearing in Mind that Japan & Germany were Largely Re Socialy & Economically Engineered by USA Post War Market Command Economy Agendas..Also..Most of the Pre War Henckels that were Made in Germany or Any Vintage SR for that Matter were Either Destroyed or Pillaged by Allied Troops.. Most Henckels SRs in the Western Market Today are Being Imported from Japan.. Billy..
This is a snippet from the Henckels website: http://www2.zwilling.com/media/pdf/zwilling/kr-ko/00003024/00003024.pdf 1939 Invention of the ice-hardening process FRIODUR® for the production of no-stain cutlery. This process is patented by ZWILLING J.A. HENCKELS and subsequently all products using this special method are hallmarked accordingly.
They Got the Patent in 39 for their Heat Treatment Processes for the Stainless Friodur According to Here.. https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&r...2sxB0ygc8PkpHed7A&sig2=BxeNibwRZys_-W3gMFEN7g Billy..
To Me its No Wonder the Stainless Friodur Models were Popular with Japanese Barbers..The Hollow Grinds are as Thin as Paper but Very Strong & they Take as Sharp & Smooth an Edge as any Japanese SR..Any Friodur Factory Grind I have Seen is Just about Impeccable..Yet..You Very Rarely See Folks in Forums Using One..Doesn't Quite Figure to Me.. Of Course there is a Forum Suggested Myth that Stainless SRs are Hard to Hone & that they Don't take a Sharp Edge..Not True.. Billy..
Where does it say that? It says this - During 1939, the company received patent protection on its unique “ice-hardening” treatment process for 440C “Inox” stainless steel products. The correct term would be cryogenic tempering, because the finished blade is immersed in liquid nitrogen. Good information. Apparently this process hardens the steel. I'm sure you know that already.
Means the Same thing as I Said..The Friodur are Stainless & Used these Patented Processes..Then Again..I Bought a Shave Ready SR Off that Guy that Wrote the Article..If its as Accurate as his Shave Ready SR Claims then it Might be a Mile Off.. Billy..
I mentioned in another thread the abundance of vintage wade & butchers on the US market compared to Europe. Evidence of mass export of w&b SRs for decades from England.
Aye..I Am Guessing..But I Reckon its Not Far Off the Mark..Markets Were Larger in the USA for Big Prestige's Blades..Also..There were Larger Populations of Folks in the USA with Some Affluence..There was Also a Lot of USA Investors Historically Investing in English Cutlery Enterprises at the Time & Trade Agreement's with these Companies.. Billy..
I just acquired this razor with a 113 number. I've had similar difficulties figuring out it's age. I wish their was some definitive listings of model numbers. I'm still looking. If I find more info, I'll post it here.
