Thread: Not wanting to seem like a psycho killer

I ventured into town today to get my haircut. I was talking to the fella about my new hobby and asked if he new any antiques places he knew that maybe would have straights. I was given a few hints and off I went.

First place I got looked up and down and the guy said he thought he might have one. He produced an old Wacker from his desk. There was a lot of hone where and a little too much rust near the edge so i politely passed on the deal (5 quid, no ta). He did say if I was wearing a tracksuit or trainers that he wouldn't even have offered me it.

The next 10 or so shops I went in I was disappointed by quite scared looking shopkeeps and vague directions to go see the barber down the road.

I ended up talking to a a couple of barbers about my experiences so far including a woman who was taught to shave on a balloon in hairdressing college. She had 3 straights herself for display and wasnt willing to sell any. She gave me some good advice though, most of which was repeated from reading it on this wonderful site.

My question is: How do you go into a second hand shop and ask for straight razors without freaking out the owners?

I live in quite a working class/rough city (Sunderland) in the north east of England and i presume if anyone asks for a straight razor the suspicion is that they would use it as a weapon.

ADDITIONAL
The first guy I talked to told me he had a Sunderland AFC commemorative str8. (Thats my football team). This has given me a new hunger to seek out any other examples.

A good day out overall

Wow, that is wierd compared to the States....I never get those kinds of reactions...Most folks have them out in the display cases..What's with the track suit? They don't sell blades to people who exercise in England? THat is good info to know that I need to be on the look out for in shape guys that have British accents

Originally Posted by Wintchase

Wow, that is wierd compared to the States....I never get those kinds of reactions...Most folks have them out in the display cases..What's with the track suit? They don't sell blades to people who exercise in England? THat is good info to know that I need to be on the look out for in shape guys that have British accents

Haha. The UK is so different its quite funny. Over here, in places like Liverpool we have young lads who hang around on street corners. They are commonly called 'Chavs'. Generally those who are up to no good. The only exercise they get is running away from police.



Here is a delightful selection.

The reaction I had from the shopkeepers was basically 'I dont want anything to do with supplying you with a deadly weapon, get out of my shop'. Which was a little awkward.

Anyway, you live and learn

I live in Australia, and i just got into straights, but i have a knife collection which is for collection and utilitarian purposes . But some people find it a bit scary, mainly due to the lack of education on knives. People often think a knife means violence, but for most people (non-trouble makers) its not the case, unless your in the military or something like that, but even then its often defense.

But appearance is something that is important, for example they wont let you into a ferrarie dealership unless your wearing an expensive suit lol. They wont even let you in some expensive jewelry shops unless your dressed well.

I went to a shaver shop to get my straight, and the lady was also taught to shave with a straight using a baloon.

Unfortunately thats the world we live in now . But peoples attitude vary depending on location and culture, but for me (and for you it seams), we live in a place that lacks education on knives, or alternatively has many trouble makers with knives. Speaking of which, on the news a few days ago, there was a story about these 12 year olds kids who got into a knife fight with each other and one of the kids killed the other, and they are 12.....

But i think if you wear jeans and a tshirt, and speak with respect and dont try and be threatening you should be fine. Well thats what i have found.

EDIT:
Also word choice is a big thing. If you walk up and be like "im looking for straight edge razors to buy", they might be a bit suspicious. I would recommend trying to form a connection first before you ask for razors, like a little small talk. Also saying something like you collect and refurbish vintage straight edge razors and were wondering if you had any for sale is much more non-threatening

I'm not surprised. To much of the world, they are nothing more than a weapon these days.

I can't find the link anymore, but I was milling about the internet for straight razors, and came to a website for weapons. They were selling straights as things to open boxes and cut wire with.

Some people don't even know what they're actually for. I knew a person who was straightedge and had the typical straightedge tattoo of two crossed straight razors, and then some blood and something about "HARDCORE SXE".

I asked her if she knew what straights were used for.

"Cutting stuff."

*facepalm*

So, yeah, I'm not surprised. And as others have mentioned, there is a culture of fear about anything dangerous. I've had people ask me why I would need a pocket knife. Well, it's a really handy thing to have. Why not?

For me, I guess it helps that I'm small and female. For you... I guess just try to educate them?

I've been in quite a few antique stores over that past handful of years. I stopped in one on the way to an appointment today, as a matter of fact.

When I walk in to a shop now, my approach is:

"Hi, I collect barber related antiques like straight razors, brushes, sharpening stones.....do you have anything like that?"

I omit mugs and strops, because I'm personally not really interested in those, but the other stuff I like to look for (brushes to a lesser degree, but throwing a few "innocuous" items into the question is done intentionally).

In my area, MOST antique shops rent space to individual antique "dealers". Therefore, it's common when such a question is asked, you get more of a "How should I know? Look around yourself." type of response or something equally friendly and helpful. That's fine with me; I'd rather look around myself than rely on someone's memory as to what may or may not be for sale at that time anyway.

I hope that helps.

Chris L

I walked into a shop I had been wanting to visit for a while. There was a man in his seventies behind the counter who asked me what I was looking for. I told him coins (which I was looking for) and for the hell of it I asked for straight razors.

He said he collected straight razors. At that point I was excited, I had not found anyone who had or knew of straight razors in this small town. He continued and said he had none for sale. I pointed out a rusty straight razor in the case but he did not respond. I don't know if he was ignoring me or didn't hear me (due to his age). After a while of non-communication, I decided to browse the coins then head out.

It was strange. I wasn't even wearing the equivalent to a track suit, at least I don't think so. I am going to go back later and ask again maybe strike up a conversation and approach it from an different angle, and see what I can learn. At the very least, he might have some good stories.

Bring in some of your razors if you have them and show them to him. That would be a good conversation starter.

Some avenues are "dead ends" and I can respect that. Example: A very nice semi-retired barber in my town has a few nice razors and a ultra thick dreamy shell strop that he used during his career and the strop is still hanging from the side of the barber chair. He told me he won't sell the razors or the strop. I can respect that and have not asked him since and won't. I'm sure they'll go to his adult kids.



Chris L

Originally Posted by ecrus

I walked into a shop I had been wanting to visit for a while. There was a man in his seventies behind the counter who asked me what I was looking for. I told him coins (which I was looking for) and for the hell of it I asked for straight razors.

He said he collected straight razors. At that point I was excited, I had not found anyone who had or knew of straight razors in this small town. He continued and said he had none for sale. I pointed out a rusty straight razor in the case but he did not respond. I don't know if he was ignoring me or didn't hear me (due to his age). After a while of non-communication, I decided to browse the coins then head out.

It was strange. I wasn't even wearing the equivalent to a track suit, at least I don't think so. I am going to go back later and ask again maybe strike up a conversation and approach it from an different angle, and see what I can learn. At the very least, he might have some good stories.

Originally Posted by ChrisL

Bring in some of your razors if you have them and show them to him. That would be a good conversation starter.

Twenty five years ago when I went into barber shops in Newark looking for straights I always brought a roll with a half dozen collectible in it. I would tell the old fellows that I collected them and break out the roll.

That would be the start of some very interesting conversation and not infrequently my leaving with more razors than I went in with. BTW, I was a pretty rough looking fellow with tattoos from wrists to shoulders before it was fashionable. So the conversation pieces were a real asset.

I have found that the way to introduce the subject without scaring skittish people is the following:

Hello, my name is....
My hobby is collecting, restoring and using antique barber shop parafanalia.

At this point they think you are just a harmelss idiot with too much money and no sense.

Then you throw in,
I was wondering if you have any old straight razors like barbers used to use?

Works every time.