Ralf Aust French Point, Thumb Notch Razor Review

[Bob L.]

First Impressions

• Nice coffin
• The razor came well wrapped in wax paper and a plastic bag.
• The razor was fingerprint free when it came out of the box.
• No blemishes were found on the steel, the pins, the silver inlays, or the wood.
• Razor was well pinned and centered perfectly
• My wife thinks it’s beautiful.

The Specs

• This is a substantial feeling razor with a nice heft and excellent balance.
• French Point
• Carbon Steel
• Jimped Tang on Top
• Smooth Thumb Notch
• Shoulderless
• Ebony Scales
• Silver Inlays
• Dimensions
  • 6/8 blade
  • End of scales to tail’s tip – 15.5 cm
  • Point’s tip to tail’s tip – 14.2 cm
  • Cutting width – 6.4 cm
  • Total depth of the blade, cutting edge to spine, 2.1 cm
  • Total depth of the razor, spine to bottom of scales 2.6 cm
• Balance – Perfect in terms of my humble opinion... Great hand feel...

Fit and Finish

• The blade is highly polished, zero: mars, scratches, imperfections
• Scales are finished to let you feel wood. That is my personal preference so I am very happy. This is not a cyanoacrylate/polymer finish.
• Pinning is perfect. The razor stays open and it centers perfectly with the scales.
• The Ralf Aust trademark is deep, clear, and well executed.
• The tail is as perfect as the rest of the razor.
• The blade etching is clean and well executed.

The Shave

Quick summation… I had two days of fur on my face. The first shave felt like I had used this razor dozens of times in recent weeks. It is pure pleasure in the hand.

• Standard pre-shave prep – a hot shower
• Soap – Stirling Almond – Bowl lathered
• Brush – Stirling Lil’ Brudder synthetic
• WTG – Nice sound and effortless… Very maneuverable razor…
• XTG – Far less sound to no sound and effortless…
• ATG – Nice sound and effortless
• Clean up on and around ears and nose – French tipped razors are made for my hairy ears. No issues here either
• It passed the Sally test. She doesn’t care for sandpaper/sharkskin faces. BBS from the jawline up. Neck ranged from BBS to DFS.
• Aftershave went on cold. No irritation whatsoever!

Bottom Line
I’m saving my pennies for another Ralf Aust French Point. I may try ordering one directly from Germany with the same blade specs and blond horn scales.

 

[Raithskar]

Great review Bob. I really need to add an Aust and a Wacker to my collection. Look forward to seeing more of that beauty!

 

[Ice-Man]

That is one fantastic write up Bob, there is 2 razors i dont have one is a Ralf Aust and the other is a Whacker. The point is this write up is pushing me towards the Aust first.

 

[Reezur]

Wow man, What a great review! I can almost feel the knive on my face. Tnx for that

 

[macintoshBR]

I have 2 Austs (one 5/8” carbon steel and one 6/8” stainless) and agree with the review, they are top notch! Very hollow razors with great finish at very good prices

 

[Reezur]

What prices I need to take into account macintoshBR?

 

[Reezur]

Does anyone have experience with a Koraat vs the Ralf Aust? They both caught my attention....

 

[Bbb34]

That is one fantastic write up Bob, there is 2 razors i dont have one is a Ralf Aust and the other is a Whacker. The point is this write up is pushing me towards the Aust first.

Ooooh that's a shame (only for the time being of course ).

In my opinion, both excellent shavers.

No presure though, whenever you're ready... LOL

 

[Bbb34]

Bottom Line
I’m saving my pennies for another Ralf Aust French Point. I may try ordering one directly from Germany with the same blade specs and blond horn scales.

Maybe give different blade (choice of different "tang") a chance on your next Aust razor for some variety.

I have Dovo razor which looks very similar to your Aust, and I prefer the "regular" tang of my Ralf Aust for slightly different feel. Matter of personal preference of course, just thought I'd mention it.

 

[evnpar]

Thanks for the excellent review, Bob. Arne has always raved about them, and now I can see why.

 

[Bob L.]

Thanks for the appreciative words on the review. Reviews are easiest when one has something good to review.

Next easiest is reviewing a real stinker. It's the stuff that lies in the middle ground that's hard to review.

 

[SailorTodd]

My wife thinks it’s beautiful.

An important but oft overlooked feature in razor acquisition.

I may try ordering one directly from Germany with the same blade specs and blond horn scales.

Is there a website that you know of to do this? In a cursory search I found no strictly Aust site, and only US, Canadian and Aussie retailers. I would really like to acquire the Aust 6/8" Spanish point, but have found limited scale offerings.

 

[macintoshBR]

An important but oft overlooked feature in razor acquisition.

Is there a website that you know of to do this? In a cursory search I found no strictly Aust site, and only US, Canadian and Aussie retailers. I would really like to acquire the Aust 6/8" Spanish point, but have found limited scale offerings.

Aust’s website is rasiermesser-manufaktur.de

 

[SailorTodd]

Aust’s website is rasiermesser-manufaktur.de

Danke schön!

 

[dundak]

Danke schön!

Keep an eye on the exchange rate too. When the euro dips you can usually get a really good deal compared to one you could buy stateside. Also allow your CC to do the exchange and not PayPal. PayPal usually has a lower rate and they charge a tiny fee for the conversion.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Polarbeard]

That is one fantastic write up Bob, there is 2 razors i dont have one is a Ralf Aust and the other is a Whacker. The point is this write up is pushing me towards the Aust first.

I'd say that are two good decisions; to get both and to get the Aust first.

Thanks for the excellent review, Bob. Arne has always raved about them, and now I can see why.

That Arne guy is not to be trusted

 

[Slash McCoy]

Nice. So what did that one cost you? Inquiring minds want to know.

 

[Bob L.]

More then I'd pay for a razor. My wife says I can squeeze a nickle so hard it farts quarters... It was purchased from Maggard's Razors on one of their 12% Christmas discount packages. They still have one listed for sale with the normal sales price.

Now that I have one, I'd buy another. It is extremely well engineered and executed.

 

[AZBronco]

Excellent review. I've stopped buying razors, but when my wife asked me before Christmas if there were any razors I still wanted, the Ralf Aust was the only thing that came to mind. I thought she might have gotten me one for Christmas, but she did not. I'm ind of glad--when I do get one I want to make the choices on point, scales, etc.

 

[Bbb34]

More then I'd pay for a ......

Now that I have one, I'd buy another.

If I had a dime every time I said these two sentences.