Thread: Ebay Blades

Evening everyone. I eventually would like to buy vintage razors from ebay, I just dont have the eye yet. What do yall look for in the pictures? Attached is an example, what would I want to look at on these 4 blades?

Check in the wiki here on SRP, it gives detailed info on what to look for

The first 3 or 4 pages of the thread "Ebay 101" are also extremely informative

I look for minimal hone wear, no dings or cracks in the blade, no heavy rust or pitting
I don't worry about scales to much as I can always make new ones if i like the blade
All 4 in the photo would be ok, I like the boker and the wedge would be the most work but hey it's all learning

what would I want to look at on these 4 blades?

Can't much tell you what you want

I think what to avoid at all cost must clearly be covered in Ebay 101.

After that, it's a matter of taste and skills.

Originally Posted by gbell1577

Evening everyone. I eventually would like to buy vintage razors from ebay, I just dont have the eye yet. What do yall look for in the pictures? Attached is an example, what would I want to look at on these 4 blades?

In addition to having little hone wear, I like them to have the original edge shape. The first and last look good for that but the middle two look as if they have had their smile ground off, almost to a frown. Out of the four the last one would interest me most despite the blackness but I would like to see it closer. Wedges like it are easier to restore because you don't have to worry about damaging the fine edge of a hollow ground. The first one looks like it just needs scales and a honing.