Tim Zowada
New member
The straight razor community lost a giant on 9/20/2023. Dr Hanjo Till was a huge lover and supporter of all things involving straight razors. He was especially fond of figuring out the best honing routines utilizing natural stones. Over the years, he had become not only a regular customer, but also a very dear friend. He was truly closer than a brother.
Last spring, Hanjo contracted a quickly spreading lung cancer. It is strange how things can happen so quickly. In January, he was a top road racing bicyclist. Early May brought the cancer diagnosis. Hanjo died on 9/20, two days before I was to visit.
Early in 2019, Alex Gilmore and I visited Hanjo at his home in Tauberbischofsheim, Germany. It was an amazing time of being sucked down the “rabbit hole” of Japanese Natural Stones. Over the next couple years, I became a complete convert to the Japanese stones. I owe all my knowledge and understanding of Jnats to Hanjo and Alex.
Hanjo had been tying up most of my production for the last three years. That's mostly because he was willing to buy all my experimental stuff, listen to my metallurgy nonsense, and give excellent feedback. He is the person most responsible for my current dive into the world of crucible Tamahagane. His excellent observations convinced me, that for razors, melting bloomery steel in a crucible is far superior to the more traditional folding and welding. I suppose I already knew that. I just needed a push from a friend.
As soon as I get a copy of Hanjo's obituary, I will post it here.
I must close, as it’s getting difficult to see the computer screen. Rest in peace, my friend.
Last spring, Hanjo contracted a quickly spreading lung cancer. It is strange how things can happen so quickly. In January, he was a top road racing bicyclist. Early May brought the cancer diagnosis. Hanjo died on 9/20, two days before I was to visit.
Early in 2019, Alex Gilmore and I visited Hanjo at his home in Tauberbischofsheim, Germany. It was an amazing time of being sucked down the “rabbit hole” of Japanese Natural Stones. Over the next couple years, I became a complete convert to the Japanese stones. I owe all my knowledge and understanding of Jnats to Hanjo and Alex.
Hanjo had been tying up most of my production for the last three years. That's mostly because he was willing to buy all my experimental stuff, listen to my metallurgy nonsense, and give excellent feedback. He is the person most responsible for my current dive into the world of crucible Tamahagane. His excellent observations convinced me, that for razors, melting bloomery steel in a crucible is far superior to the more traditional folding and welding. I suppose I already knew that. I just needed a push from a friend.
As soon as I get a copy of Hanjo's obituary, I will post it here.
I must close, as it’s getting difficult to see the computer screen. Rest in peace, my friend.
