Collection: 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.

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.

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.

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.

Giesen & Forsthoff manufactures all Timor razors and grooming tools in Solingen, Germany. Solingen has been the centre of German blade manufacturing for centuries and maintains strict quality standards for products bearing the city's name. The company has operated continuously in Solingen since its founding in 1920.

Timor is the product brand owned and manufactured by Giesen & Forsthoff. All Timor safety razors, straight razors, blades and accessories are produced by Giesen & Forsthoff in their Solingen facility. The terms are often used interchangeably when referring to the company's wet shaving products.

Timor safety razors are well suited to those new to wet shaving. The closed comb design used across the range provides a forgiving shave that reduces the risk of irritation. Models such as the Timor Chrome Safety Razor and Timor 1352 Pure Shaver feature non-aggressive heads specifically designed for comfortable daily use. The butterfly models offer particularly straightforward blade changes for those unfamiliar with three-piece razor assembly.

The Timor 1920 collection offers two handle lengths. The 80mm short handle provides a compact grip suited to those who prefer increased manoeuvrability. The 100mm long handle accommodates a fuller grip and is often preferred by those with larger hands or those transitioning from cartridge razors. Both lengths are available across the stainless steel and wood-handled models in the range.

The Timor 1920 range includes handles featuring genuine olive wood, walnut, oak, padouk and wenge. Each wood type displays distinct natural grain patterns, making every razor unique. The wood sections are combined with chrome-plated brass to create balanced, durable handles. All wood-handled models feature 100mm handle lengths with 12mm thickness.

Timor butterfly safety razors feature a twist-to-open mechanism. Rotating the base of the handle causes the head to open along a central hinge, allowing blade insertion or removal without handling the blade edges directly. Reversing the rotation closes and secures the head. This design eliminates the need to disassemble multiple components as required with three-piece razors.

All Timor safety razors accept standard double edge razor blades. The razors are supplied with Timor branded stainless steel blades, but any double edge blade from manufacturers such as Feather, Astra, Derby or Personna will fit correctly. Timor double edge blades are available separately in packs of 10 or boxes of 200.

Timor straight razors are supplied sharp and ready for use. The carbon steel blades are hollow ground and finished in Solingen to shaving standards. However, straight razors require regular stropping before each use to maintain the edge alignment, and periodic honing to restore sharpness over time. Beginners should expect a learning period to develop proper technique.

The Timor Swap'n Shave is a replaceable blade straight razor that provides the straight razor shaving experience using disposable blades. It includes two blade holders: one for standard double edge blades snapped in half, and one for 62mm professional barber blades. This design eliminates the need for stropping and honing whilst still offering the technique and results of traditional straight razor shaving.

Safety razors should be rinsed thoroughly after use and stored in a dry location. The Timor Universal Holder provides a hygienic stand that allows the razor to dry between uses. For travel, the leather safety razor case protects the razor and includes a compartment for blades. Straight razors benefit from storage in a leather case to protect the blade edge and should be dried completely before closing to prevent moisture damage to carbon steel.