About Giesen & Forsthoff
About Giesen & Forsthoff
Giesen & Forsthoff was established in 1920 by Paul Giesen and Eugen Forsthoff in Solingen, Germany, a city renowned worldwide for blade manufacturing and precision cutlery. The company has maintained continuous production in Solingen for over a century, developing expertise in safety razors, straight razors and grooming accessories.
The Timor brand represents the company's flagship line of wet shaving products. Timor safety razors and straight razors are manufactured using traditional techniques combined with modern quality control processes. All metal components are produced in Germany, with handles featuring materials including solid stainless steel, chrome-plated brass and genuine hardwoods such as olive, walnut, oak, padouk and wenge.
Timor Safety Razors
The Timor safety razor range includes both three-piece and butterfly designs, offering options for different preferences and experience levels. The Timor 1920 collection features classic three-piece construction with solid handles that provide balanced weight distribution for controlled shaving. Handle lengths of 80mm and 100mm accommodate different grip styles, whilst closed comb heads deliver a comfortable shave suitable for daily use.
Timor butterfly safety razors use a twist-to-open mechanism for straightforward blade changes without disassembling the razor. Available in chrome, matt chrome, black gun metal and 18K gold-plated finishes, these razors combine practical functionality with distinctive aesthetics. Each safety razor includes Timor double edge blades to begin shaving immediately.
Timor Straight Razors
Giesen & Forsthoff produces Timor straight razors featuring hollow ground carbon steel blades with 5/8 inch widths. The blades are hand-finished in Solingen and paired with handles crafted from genuine olive wood and zebrano wood, each displaying unique natural grain patterns. These razors require regular stropping to maintain their edge and represent a traditional approach to wet shaving for those prepared to develop the necessary technique.
The company also manufactures the Swap'n Shave shavette, a replaceable blade straight razor that accepts both standard double edge blades and 62mm professional blades. This design offers the straight razor shaving experience without the maintenance requirements of traditional carbon steel.
Accessories and Cases
Giesen & Forsthoff produces a comprehensive range of leather cases and pouches for razor storage and travel. Straight razor cases are available in full-grain leather with velvet linings, including roll-up designs and the seven-day case that holds a complete weekly rotation of razors. Safety razor pouches feature genuine oiled leather construction with compartments for blade storage.
The accessory range includes strop pastes for maintaining straight razor edges, available in different grades for various stages of blade refinement. Timor double edge razor blades are manufactured from stainless steel in Germany and supplied in packs of 10 or boxes of 200 for extended use.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Timor best known for?
Timor is the wet-shaving line from Giesen & Forsthoff, covering double edge safety razors, straight razors, razor blades and leather shaving accessories.
Should I choose a Timor safety razor or straight razor?
Choose a safety razor for a more familiar double edge shave. Choose a straight razor only if you are comfortable with stropping, drying and edge care, or want to learn a more traditional shaving method.
Do Timor straight razors need maintenance?
Yes. Traditional straight razors need careful drying and edge maintenance. Pair them with suitable products from strops, pastes and honing stones.


















