Thread: Advice needed on razor collecting

Hello,

thanks for the info. now I know I have a 1924-1935 razor. any ideas on the Crown and Sword razor? sending pics, best I could do right now. It's in need of a good cleaning, yes?
Keep in touch,
Cheers,
Norma

If you're in to knives, you'll likely notice that the favoured brands are fairly similar. The big Sheffield names by in large stay the same. Wade and Butcher, Joseph Rodgers, Frederick Reynolds etc.

You'll likely also develop your own favourites pretty quickly based on what you feel shaves you best, so don't get too hung up on what other people seem to feel are the ''best'' razors. Stick to Solingen and Sheffield steel and you can't go too far wrong.

Oh, also, if I were you I'd buy a new strop. At least until you get comfortable enough to see the potential problems in a vintage strop.

That being said... If you really want an old one... If the Waterloo Antiques Warehouse is still open, a vendor all the way in the back had an old heavy duty strop for around twenty some bucks. It looked not /too/ bad, but I didn't look at it too hard, nor am I a strop expert.

Originally Posted by Leighton

Buy them all and sell me the ones you don't want. I'll pay shipping and price you paid.

If we are allowed to trade on this forum, I'd be happy to pick them up next time I'm in that area and pass them on to you (cost price). Can we do that? It may take a week or more before I get back to you.

From your reaction, I guess they were at a good price. We pay 13% sales taxes in Canada.
Is it easy to change the scales. I don't remember if the pins were screw-i or rivets.

If you want to shave with any of the razors you are buying anywhere but the classifieds here, make sure you send it out to one of our honemeisters to get it sharpened! This will allow you to experience how the shave should feel as well as give you a sharpness level to aspire to when honing your own razors in the future.

Welcome and good luck with your journey!

Originally Posted by webgemcanada

Gentlemen, I'm a newbie
I found three bokers in three different shops today. All 1920/30's
One in a decent box but with a worn spine? $20.
One in a poor box and a really tiny nick in the blade $17
and
One with scratched scales and Scotch tape on the blade $14

"Goo B Gone" will get rid of the tape glue, won't it?

Would it be worth buying the best pair and combining assets?
Maybe I'll grab the cheapest and throw away the box. You all seem to think they are good shavers.

Just IMO but if you aren't familiar with what a good used straight looks like you could be buying a pig in a poke. Tiny nicks can be honed out but a worn spine may be a deal breaker. What is under the scotch tape on the blade ?

Are the blades full and is the edge parallel with the spine for the length of the blade ? How much hone wear ? If you look at the scales from the back are they straight or warped ? I always like to carry an eye loupe with me and check the edge with it. If you have pitting in and immediately above the cutting edge it may be too deep to ever get an edge on the blade. Just some things to consider.

Originally Posted by webgemcanada

If we are allowed to trade on this forum, I'd be happy to pick them up next time I'm in that area and pass them on to you (cost price). Can we do that? It may take a week or more before I get back to you.

Trading is allowed but in the classifieds section.

Originally Posted by gugi

Trading is allowed but in the classifieds section.

Didn't want to contravene any rules or policies.

I really do have to slow down now. I may well have the beginnings of a collection. Now I have to learn to shave, as soon as I find a honemeister in my area.

Today I went out and found a good old strop. "Genuine Russian Tannage" #995 with a "Silk Finish" #450 linen back. I'm well pleased.

Got an old Wosty in a box that seems to have a good edge and spine.


Then I found this boxed Solingen beauty that shows no wear at all. Does any one know the mark on the blade. It's an anchor with two crossed swords. The tang reads HERMANN MEHL BREMERHAVEN - LEHE on one side of tang and SOLINGEN MADE IN GERMANY on the other side. Anyone know what I have here. It's one of the prettiest I've seen.

Originally Posted by webgemcanada

I really do have to slow down now. I may well have the beginnings of a collection. Now I have to learn to shave, as soon as I find a honemeister in my area.

Today I went out and found a good old strop. "Genuine Russian Tannage" #995 with a "Silk Finish" #450 linen back. I'm well pleased.

Got an old Wosty in a box that seems to have a good edge and spine.


Then I found this boxed Solingen beauty that shows no wear at all. Does any one know the mark on the blade. It's an anchor with two crossed swords. The tang reads HERMANN MEHL BREMERHAVEN - LEHE on one side of tang and SOLINGEN MADE IN GERMANY on the other side. Anyone know what I have here. It's one of the prettiest I've seen.

Nice finds! Be careful, buying razors is really addictive!!