Thread: Expert eyes needed on vintage SR...

Hello all,

I came across this vintage blade today at a local thrift shop. Being a newbie, I'm not really sure what I'm dealing with here, so I was hoping that some of you with a keen eye for old SRs could give me some insight. What I would like to know is could this SR have the potential to be professionally honed and enjoyed as a usable shaver, or would it be more of a conversation piece? I have my tetanus shot . Obviously it has some ugly rust at the tail and hinge point, but it still opens and closes smoothly. The edge is still keen, although I highly doubt near shave ready, and did not appear warped at all. Not sure what the scales are made of, but my impression was plastic. The shop is asking $75 for it, but I had been told that its been there for several months and I could talk them down a bit. Any guesses on what one should be willing to pay for this in its condition? Let me know if more photos would be helpful and I'll return to the shop and take more- just let me know if there is anything specific you'd like to see. Thanks in advance!

Mike

From the pics

It looks to be a good solid razor that with just a little TLC and honing will be great shaver..

I don't do prices I only do condition plus I personally can't even make out the Maker from the pics


(Valuations are actually against the rules on SRP)

Originally Posted by gssixgun

From the pics

It looks to be a good solid razor that with just a little TLC and honing will be great shaver..

I don't do prices I only do condition plus I personally can't even make out the Maker from the pics


(Valuations are actually against the rules on SRP)

I can appreciate reasons for not giving an actual appraisal, certainly understood. So far what I'm getting from the replies so far is that it's not junk, so that gives me a little bit of confidence in it.

What I do when assessing a "new" razor is to first check the overall condition, look for an inordinate amount of rust, warped, cracked, rotted or worm eaten scales. If all is good at the point then I check the condition of the blade it's self. I run my thumb across the edge not down it. I listen to it. A full hollow ground or even a 1/4 hollow will have a ring to it that is pleasant if there is no crack present. If it has a crack that is not seen, it will sound dull and raspish. A recognizable name or city will give you some clues to how good the razor should be if it passes all of the other criteria. In most cases you can't go wrong with Sheffield or Solingen steel. As far as the razor, it looks to be in good condition except for that potential crack. Learn the "Art of the Deal", don't be in such a rush to acquire a new razor that you jump at any opportunity that comes your way, you will spend a lot of time and money and usually end up with nothing. Spend a lot of time here Full A to Z list of Razor Manufacturers & their Dates of Operations as well as in the Library here. There are other sites as well. A little knowledge can be dangerous that is why you need to research the best you can. I had to break out my digital camera and the macro lens to try to see the name on the tang, important information alert, but couldn't see it well enough, same with the box but that is meaningless. It appears that crack terminates in a chip on the edge which is not a good sign.

It's a nice razor.

The price is all wrong tho.

For the price you could get a brand new razor, you certainly shouldn't be looking at a razor that is in need of restoration. And this one is in need of some minor restoration. The razor is corroded at the pivot, The gold wash is gone, There is some patina, and the box is shabby.

There is a rather nice looking blade on the trade section that is not only cheaper, it's in better condition and comes ready to shave.

It would be a safer first purchase.

Wagner & Lange, Solingen 6/8" - Straight Razor Place Classifieds

"Lindsey & Son Oxford" is what is stamped on the tang, not sure if that can be made out in the pics I attached or not. Does that stamping have any significance that anyone here knows of?

Originally Posted by mbg1081

"Lindsey & Son Oxford" is what is stamped on the tang, not sure if that can be made out in the pics I attached or not. Does that stamping have any significance that anyone here knows of?

The only Lindsey & son in Oxford I can find is a butchers firm, established in 1867 and featuring in Aldens Guide of 1904. Maybe they had a run of razors made up to give to employees to mark some occasion or other?



Regards,
Neil

Another way to check for a crack is to run the edge across your thumb nail with slight pressure and watch for separation unless that is what guitstik was all ready saying

Originally Posted by Trimmy72

Another way to check for a crack is to run the edge across your thumb nail with slight pressure and watch for separation unless that is what guitstik was all ready saying

I "strum" the edge with the pad of my thumb not the nail. A light touch and I can hear a problem, not so on wedges tho. I recently purchased an Otto Deutsch off of eBay and when it arrived I strummed it and found a crack that was not apparent to the naked eye. It was immediate so I didn't have to go find my loupe, but I did anyways just to verify. The seller refunded the entire price.

Is there a big crack in the middle of the blade? if not then that razor should be a good one to restore by propper cleaning from the active rust and set a new shaving edge to it.