Thread: Bad photo = Nice score.

This 11/16 Erik Anton Berg listing had really dark and poor photo's but on a hunch I contacted the seller who insisted that the razor shows much better than depicted. She was correct IMHO. The shipping was about as much as my bid.

Old medieval saying " Ye who takes poo poo pics get lousy bids." Good for you :<0)

I gotta learn how to get these great razors for next to nothing...

Nice score.

Originally Posted by ChopperDave

I gotta learn how to get these great razors for next to nothing...

Nice score.

Patience. You look and watch and wait. When you see something that looks like it might be good, ask questions and hope that the answer is private and not published. If they put the question and answer in the listing sometimes it attracts more bidders. Most times they don't bother adding the q&a to the listings.

Nice score, kind of makes me want to go swimming in the bay again, you never know what you'll find.

The worse the photos are the bigger the risk and the bigger the payout of the gamble if it works in your favor.

That's why we recommend people who are new and inexperienced or looking to save money to not gamble and go for what is known.

I would say this razor sows pretty well. Nice catch.

... get it fish, catch!

nevermind

Very nice. I have gotten quite a few nice razors that had poor photos or ones that just needed some soap and water to clean off some gunk for really cheap.

That's how I managed to get hold this one at a knockdown price very poor pictures and a very brief and poor description, I just put that down to a lack of insight and knowledge of what he had, he was selling it as it was his Grandfathers razor and he had no use for it.


5/8 Vintage Geo. Ibberson "Firths Stainless" Straight Razor, Sheffield


This is a very nice vintage razor made by the celebrated Sheffield firm of George Ibberson. It was made from Firth's Stainless steel, and the two combine to make it a bit of a museum piece. First we will talk about George Ibberson.

The Ibberson name first found mention in cutlery records in 1666. Joseph Ibberson was a Master Cutler in 1759. In the late 1700s John and George Ibberson were knife makers. However, we are concerned with the George Ibberson, born around 1835. George was apprenticed to Joseph Rodgers & sons but in 1871 he set up with Albert Wilson to form Wilson & Ibberson, Exchange Gateway, Fargate, Sheffield. In 1874 George set up his own business in West Street, at the Central Works. IN the 1880s the now famous violin corporate mark was purchased from John C. Skinner. George died aged 64 in 1899, and Joseph William Ibberson took control. In 1911 they moved to Rockingham Street. They did well to survive the war period, making a film in 1926 and employing such well-known craftsmen as forger Ted Swinden, Bill Thackray who hardened, tempered and set the marks and Ted Osborne and his now famous apprentice Stan Shaw. The company survived WW" as well, but was taken over in the 1980s by British Syphons Industries.

This razor was made from the comparatively new alloy of stainless steel. Firth Brown Steels made the steel - it was a merger between Thomas Brown & Co and Thomas Firth & Sons. The now famous Harry Brearley formulated the first stainless steel while working in the Firth Brown labs in 1912, going into production in 1913 and being well established by 1915. However, WW1 slowed down research into the new 'marvel' alloy. Ibberson's were sent the first samples. It was called 'rustless' at first, then 'stainless'. The early 'rustless' steel was OK for cutlery and flatware, but not so good for razors. However, reserach continued and by the time the name changed to rustless and Harry had left Firth-Brown it was a fine steel for razors. I would date the razor as mid to late 1920s - I wouldn't be at all surprised if it coincided with the release of the Ibberson film in 1926.

What a list of luminaries of the razor world are encompassed by this razor - Ibbersons, Firth-Brown, Harry Brearley, Stan Shaw, etc, etc.

THAT is a magnificent razor.

Good catch, Jamie!