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