Thread: couple antiques

I was watching this one until it blew up. The Gratian with that diagonal stamping is very very unusual, but thankfully I've got a duplicate example of that one albeit with a little rust that I got in a lot for a few bucks. The Sykes is a nice period piece but isn't pristine still, it has some wear bringing the edge above the heel, so I wouldn't pay top dollar for it.

It's close enough... and the scales are intact... and neither is a minefield of unhinged rot. Worse examples of 1790s blades have commanded stupid sums in recent months for singles.. That rot encased wolf woth the fissure in it is probably the most blatant example

Originally Posted by kcb5150

It's close enough... and the scales are intact... and neither is a minefield of unhinged rot. Worse examples of 1790s blades have commanded stupid sums in recent months for singles.. That rot encased wolf woth the fissure in it is probably the most blatant example

Yep, I've seen all those. That's why the old ones I've picked up recently have been beaters on the cheap. I got lucky on some near pristine ones a while ago.

I think ppl inexperienced with the blades of this era have sort of latched on and are running them up. Not so sure they are aware of the risk factor with the rotten ones. The pits seem to always run deep in the early steel. It's probably why I never won one in an online sale I always bid conservative because I have had my fair share in the wild and the hit rate is positive but enough to give pause on rot. I mean, you can keep honing a rotten one till you hit clean steel but you can have a pen knife by then which is a crime upon history as far as the razor goes

I've reached the point I think many members hope they never get to of not caring about whether the steel is good. I love having my razors in shaving condition, but have enough of them to shave with that I'm almost purely a collector now.

Originally Posted by Wightman

Here's a lot of a couple nice antiques. I've been searching for this style, but I'm sure they'll go for more than I have. So I figured I'd share them for your guys interest.
....snip old now gone ebay listing...

For now pick out razors that you can or need to learn how to frame questions about.
Questions to ask the seller and hints to help you see problems without making waves.

For example I see hair, scratches or cracks on the back side of this:
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/Wade-and-But...item3af7354cdc

Check out the third full sized pic in the above to see what I see.

A W&B for ten or twelve bucks is worth the risk. ;-)
The scales are worth $7 for sure if you need them.
Now we will see if my noting a second razor causes waves.
Watch it for the next four days.
Since this is a follow on your original post the traffic to the site
is likely not all of this forum just those that read or follow this.

Ebay is the best and worst place to get razors.

just an FYI, that pair of razors ended Monday, the day after my Bday. Anybody want to take a wild guess at what chose as my present this year?

You chose wisely. I think you got a really nice price personally

Nice birthday present...

They were pretty much at my upper limit, I could not have gone any higher. But honestly I expected them to go for more. I really only wanted the "dip-in-toe" but thats how it goes.

I'm debating to clean up the Gratian before putting it back up for sale, or just tossing it on as is.