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I am hoping to be going razor hunting at a local flea market this weekend.
I am still new to the razor community so I wouldnt know just from looking which razors might be a good deal.
So I was wondering if it was possible to compile a quick "cheat sheet" of sorts to list some things to look for.
branding on the blade, key words, etc.
and maybe price ranges one should expect to pay at a flea market.
any suggestions?
Good luck.
For me that's all hit or miss. Even when the seller doesn't know anything about razors it can be either good or bad for you.
I've seen chipped, rusted, horrible shape straights in a glass presentation case, which the dealer could not fathom going less than 40 or so each (not cult razors like Ducks, either). He felt they were some exceedingly rare collectible unavailable anymore since the 1890s or something.
Best thing to do (IMHO) is to look at the blade (and scales if you like) and see what condition it is in. Has it been honed to death? Rusted out? Celluloid rot? Chips?
If you are buying an old razor, it is *USUALLY* safe if you are getting one from a country that the razor would have had to upkeep a product reputation. E.G. an American made straight is almost always a good shaver in decent shape, as they were only made here when people actually *used* straight razors. You're also safe with British or European made straights (same reasons). If the razor was made to dump on the novelty market, (e.g. Pakistani etc) it might not perform quite so well. Beware new razors for dirt cheap that may say "Solingen" on the scale but nothing on the tang of the blade....(it's a gimmick used by Pakistani manufacturers).
If the dealer is dealing in cheap Pakistani knives, chances are his razors are too.
Stay away from Pakistani etc. razors unless you just want to play with one.
Often good straights will be mixed in with boxes of pens, DE's, shaving mugs and that sort of thing.
Finally, take pictures of your prized finds and let us all drool over your good luck. I got a wonderful shaving DD Dwarf just this way.
Hope this helps a little.
John P.
thanks I will be sure to keep those tips in mind.
How do you tell the pakistani razors?
It'll usually say PK on it if it's Pakistani. Do an e-Bay search on Zeepk to see what they typically look like.
Watch for hone wear on the spine (it'll be considerable flattening), make sure it's actually got any usable blade left, and check for considerable pitting or rust. Have a gander through the Buy/Sell/Trade forum to get an idea of the "popular" brands. Chances are though, if it looks decent and it's not from Pakistan or China, you're probably ok. And if not, you've at least bought a cheap practice honer:D