Antique Shop visit today...finds?

Being fairly new to wet shaving and my 1917 army issued safety razor, I am daily learning new things. Content for the past few months with my current shaving conditions and super smooth outcomes, I am anxiously exploring straight razors.

Today I visited a nearby antique shop and found a few vintage straight razors.

The first was a Boker and Co., "King Cutter" in really good condition. a bit of patina on the front and back of the blade, perfect scales, sharp as sin, and $20.00. Still imprinted on blade in gold with not much wear.



The second blade was a Frederick Reynolds, Sheffield England. "Extra Hollow Ground" stamped on blade, excellent scales, and a bit of pitting and patina.

The third from Worcester Razor Co., pretty much the same condition.

I have attached a few photos from today shop. I left with only the Boker, King Cutter just for the way it feels in my hand. Plus the price was nice I felt.

So here's my question, what know? Is it worth having the Boker redone? Are the other two blades worth a return trip? I find straight razor amazing to look at and a beautiful art/tradition to learn.

Really excited about all this and looking forward to anyone support and assistance..can't believe I waited 47 years to ENJOY shaving...

Ron

Well, it really just depends. Would you be attempting to restore them yourself? Do you want them restored to turn around and sell them? Or are they going to be a part of your own collection..

If it is going to be a part of your own collection then I can answer that one right away. If you like them then it is ALWAYS worth it. I know a couple of people who if they just simply like the razor in any way, will get it and restore it.. even if it is a less popular one.. I restored a Frederick Reynolds, Sheffield England. "Extra Hollow Ground" stamped on blade Razor just simply because of a childhood memory.... The nice thing about straights is it is all up to you if you just have RAD..

That is just my take on it, if you like it then I say it's worth it IMHO... just my two cents from the simple addiction stand point.. Heck even crackheads drink beer every once in a while..:D:w

Thanks for the support on the blades I found today. My plan is to completely clean up the Boker, King Cutter and get it into my mornings as quick as possible. I bought to keep this one, not sure of the other two. any better than the next or are these seriously just basic razors?

As for the other two, if they are blades different enough and worthy of the 35-36 dollar investments, then they too are coming home. I really enjoyed the look of all these razors, almost to an addiction feeling. Furthermore, I believe the money and cost of these seems to be inline?

I look anxiously to my morning shaves now and the relaxing experience it offers. Once I learn about cleaning up and buying these, I'm off and running.

Guess, I should know if sending it out for a complete cleaning, honing, is what I should do or.....find out what to use to clean the rusting and pitting and get it sharpened myself quicker.

Thanks again all....
Cheers

First off, WELCOME to SRP! This is a great place to learn the ins and outs of Straight Shaving.

Second, I can't tell you how strongly I'd encourage you to have that razor honed. You can give a go at polishing it up, but expect to lose the gold wash unless you do your research and figure out what techniques that specific razor will need to get it clean AND preserve the wash.

But you're shortchanging yourself to spend that kind of money on a razor and not spend the $20 or so to have it honed up right. You may get lucky, sure, but 99.8% of the time guys have a rough go of it starting out and there will always be that question "did I really get it right?"

The other razors look like they're in good shape and they're worth whatever someone is willing to pay for them. If you're not willing to pay that much, and if they've been sitting for a while you might get a deal on them/bundling them. If you're worried someone might snatch them up/they haven't been sitting around long, then it's up to you whether you want to get them or not. I'd suggest you cruise through the classifieds, the vendors here and even check out e-bay for similar razor listings that have SOLD (not what someone is asking, that means nothing). This will give you an idea of the value of razors in different conditions and help you determine whether or not it is worth it to you to spend that much on those razors.

Oh, and you can find honing services by clicking on the "classifieds" link up top and then clicking on "member services".

Peace,

First off, thank you to everyone who has been sharing encouragement and help in my recent learning's.

I have decided to keep the Boker, King Cutter and have it reconditioned, honed, and turned into my first straight razor. The other two, I will pick up tomorrow for 40.00 for the pair. Good dealings made for the three at a cost of 65.00. I know I could have purchased a new razor however, I like vintage. The history, the past, who used it before, the stories associated with it....ya know.

So, here I go, I need a recommended, trustworthy, and no b/s tradesman who can perform this work for me. I would like to start off with the Boker first. Anxiously, I'd like to see it completed the soonest possible and preferably local if possible. I live on the Central Coast of California, and can't wait to draw my first straight shave.

Really want to get going so, any suggestions, individuals, information to get these cleaned up and in use will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks again to anyone who can point me in the right direction....really want first time experience to be flawless as possible...

Ron

First, click on "settings" above and to the right. Then edit your profile (I believe it's profile) to add your location to your posts. Then click on "community" up to the left and select "member map". It takes a bit to load, but will give you a map of the locations of all registered members (not members of SRP, just members of SRP who have put their mark on the map). While you're at it, put your mark on the map. There are plenty of guys out in Cali who would be willing to help you out. Also, as mentioned before, click on classifieds, and then member services to get a list of guys who do honing work, and look for one that's close to you. There may be one right next door.

Lastly, someone might just stumble upon this thread and be willing to help.

Peace,

I've got to spend more time in antique stores...

If you want to drive to Fresno, I'll fix it up and hone that razor up for you. PM me if you're interested.

I like the middle one, actually...

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Originally Posted by carlmaloschneider

I like the middle one, actually...

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I agree. That's my fave as well. If I wasn't sitting all the way on the other side of the continent, I'd buy that one and get it touched up nice.

Well it's looking like today will not bring me my razor. Woke today, two days of beard growth ready, excited as a lil school kid on a Friday afternoon, and bam, nothings but bills filled my postal box.

Now knowing that this is not anyones fault but a Holiday, tomorrorw, I'm sure will be my day!

Over the weekend, I bargained the other two blades in the photos for a sweet song. Since the Boker looks amazing, three others soon will be in Glens hands looking for a new life restoration.

1. W.H. Sample & Sons Albany N.Y / Sweedish Steel Razor
2. Fred Reynolds Sheffield England
3. Worcester Razor Worcester Mass. / EXTRA HALLOW GROUND

I find Glen to be a serious craftman and a pleasure do business with. Anyone looking for fine work, honing, or razor related help, I personally recommend this kat.

-R

Just thought I'd through out a huge shout out to Glen for all his hard work on restoring my Boker "King Cutter" into a very nice and workable blade. Thanks!!!

Here are two photos of what it looked like before. Above are what Glen has already posted for the completion.
First shave was stellar, could asked for more. Being super new at all this after months of safety razor shaves, before shave prep was already down pat. From prep with the oil, hot towels, nice foamy cream, I was set.

My razor performed like a champ. Smooth cut, BBS shave, and the had to happen, small nick. No pain , no gain. Actually never felt a thing. Learning from safety shave skills NOT to use heavy pressure to shave helped dramatically with the angle and pressure of my blade. Looks like my first go around went well, shaky hands n all. Being right handed made shaving my left side a breeze. However, switching to shaving the right side a bit awkward and challenging. Thus the lil right sided cut.

Next step is to learn stropping. Quite a bit of work in straight razor shaving in comparison to safety shaves. Not many more steps, but honing, stroping, etc. all so new.

I have three more blades for Glen that I since went back and purchased. At the top you'll see my two other blades which I picked up for a song. An additional one will find it's way to Glens door as well. Appreciate all the feedback about offering a bundle price on the F.R and Worcester, worked out well.

Very nice, i'm glad you went and picked up the other two and they are restore worthy from what the pictures show.

Well it's looking like today will not bring me my razor. Woke today, two days of beard growth ready, excited as a lil school kid on a Friday afternoon, and bam, nothings but bills filled my postal box.

Now knowing that this is not anyones fault but a Holiday, tomorrorw, I'm sure will be my day!

Over the weekend, I bargained the other two blades in the photos for a sweet song. Since the Boker looks amazing, three others soon will be in Glens hands looking for a new life restoration.

1. W.H. Sample & Sons Albany N.Y / Sweedish Steel Razor
2. Fred Reynolds Sheffield England
3. Worcester Razor Worcester Mass. / EXTRA HALLOW GROUND

I find Glen to be a serious craftman and a pleasure do business with. Anyone looking for fine work, honing, or razor related help, I personally recommend this kat.

I found both of my razors at antique shops; $30 & $20. But be careful. The shops have lots of razors but most of them have been ruined by bozos who tried to sharpen them like a knife. The edges are ruined forever. But you can find a good deal occasionally and it is better than eBay because you can physically see the blade.

Returned to the same shop where I picked up my Boker and gain the other two for a song! Both very nice blades and soon to be restored and sent off to Gem Star Customs. I almost felt bad when I offered her a low dollar amount and she said that'd be fine for the pair. She said they have been sitting there for ever since no one looks at them.

Appreciated all the advice on picking these up. I feel comfortable knowing that I belong to group that supports it's member and really helps us new kats. As for the Boker, what a sweet shave. Definitely a change from my DS shave but wow...smooth results.

The nostalgic feeling of shaving the way men from the past did, almost brings out the ghost in my blades. It's weird to say but I feel that this is the proper way to shave. Years of lost money, skill building, and the overall beauty of "me time". Shaving is no longer a task but a enjoyment. Almost like a spa. My wife now asks me how well I enjoyed "my time" this morning and seems to understand how much more relaxing and important that time is to me.

wow that Fred Reynolds is really awesome! Save that etching if you can!

that boker is a nice pickup. even if you lose the gold etching on the blade you'd still have a carbon steel razor. honed here in the classified and you'd be shaving for $40. if you want it pretty then that's a different story. the other two aren't big names like boker, wosty, dubl duck, etc, and as such i wouldn't have paid more for those.

my $.02. i've been picking razors at antique stores for awhile now. pay $20 on average and only go for well recognized brands.

I don't remember the brand on that one with teh 'Extra Hollow Ground" on the blade, but it's still my fave of the three. I really like that one.

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Originally Posted by Jes

I don't remember the brand on that one with teh 'Extra Hollow Ground" on the blade, but it's still my fave of the three. I really like that one.

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It's interesting to me that the Worcester "Extra Hollow Ground Fully Warranted" script is nearly identical (if not identical) to the script on my Boker. Perhaps the Worcester is a blade made by Boker for Worcester? :shrug:
http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...new-boker.html

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Originally Posted by BigJim

It's interesting to me that the Worcester "Extra Hollow Ground Fully Warranted" script is nearly identical (if not identical) to the script on my Boker. Perhaps the Worcester is a blade made by Boker for Worcester? :shrug:
http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...new-boker.html

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Oh man. That's a nice str8 you got there. And I definitely see what you're talking about. Very interesting indeed.

Seriously? Where are these vintage stores?

Here in LA, I get guys telling me that the rusty, chipped blade gives the gold dollar razor "character" and would make for a great collectible to place on a shelf, and as such, they are willing to let me have it for a mere $200.

Why can't I walk in, see a mint Filarmonica for 10 bucks, and have the guy tell me the thing is worthless and an obvious fake because they can't even spell Philharmonica right?

Great info. Since I have always shaved with a 1917 Army issued DE, the thought of a SR shave was always there. The trip to the antique shop was on a whim. Seeing the available razors and having followed this forum a bit, I bought the Boker knowing it was a name I was familiar. The other two I picked up for 25.00 for the pair. The fact that she said they were just sitting there and that nobody ever should interest in them sealed the deal. What I need to learn is a list of brands to definitely look for versus those to avoid. Ebay always is a bit more unknown on what your going to get. I did however pick up for 21.00, a W.H Sample & Sons, Albany New York/W.H.S Swedish Steel Razor that worked out well and shaved nicely. Don't know much of this brand and cannot seem to locate any information regarding it's history.

You sure are right they are identical ....
Think it'd be cool to see if anyone knows the tale of these two blades and shared production by these two companies.

Good catch?!

check out this other find, a Boker with that same etching and a great find!!!

http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...new-boker.html

Now I'm really confused, you both have identical etching...
quick call the Scooby Van.......

Cheers!

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Originally Posted by effx

You sure are right they are identical ....
Think it'd be cool to see if anyone knows the tale of these two blades and shared production by these two companies.

Good catch?!

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it was very common for smaller cutlers to purchase blanks from a major cutler in the area and then grind them himself. you seem a ton of W&B looking blades on english razors of other brands. Thomas Turner probably the most notable. also common for a company to be commissioned by an importer especially if the brand represents itself as american. in this case it's very likely that worcester mass whomever commissioned boker to make X amount of razors for Y amount of dollars.

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Originally Posted by JohnJ

Seriously? Where are these vintage stores?

Here in LA, I get guys telling me that the rusty, chipped blade gives the gold dollar razor "character" and would make for a great collectible to place on a shelf, and as such, they are willing to let me have it for a mere $200.

Why can't I walk in, see a mint Filarmonica for 10 bucks, and have the guy tell me the thing is worthless and an obvious fake because they can't even spell Philharmonica right?

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usually don't see anything like that. most common are english razors as english steel was the most prized at the time. i see tons of wosties and W&B. my current collection has a wade, a wostie, a nice henckels, a genco dutch boy in near mint shape and a red imp 4/8 that's close to mint as well. i also see a lot of yankee cutlery because of the collectibles crowd.

fwiw, i only buy vintage razors. i'm a bit of a collector thanks to this place :|

swmbo always brought me out to the antique stores and the classic video games were the only things that i ever cared about. now, thanks to you lot, i have a bit of a collection going ;)

i believe Frederick Reynolds was a very well known Sheffield maker.just my opinion.id love to do some trading or buy it if its up.

A Derbyshire-born razor manufacturer, Frederick Reynolds, was working in Sims Croft by the early 1840s. By 1849, the address was School Croft. In about 1860, he moved to Gell Street and, according to the Census, employed fifteen men. He continued to trade into the 1870s, when the address was Monmouth Lane. Frederick Reynolds died on 22 October 1877, aged 63.
His son, Richard Reynolds continued to manufacture razors in Monmouth Lane and Gell Street into the 20th century. In the early 1920s, the firm adopted limited liability status.
The firm was in financial difficulties in 1936. During the WWII, the firm was restyled Frederick Reynolds (Cutlers Sheffield) Ltd. The company ceased trading in the late 1940s, after the death of the founder's grandson Harry Reynolds. He died in 1946, aged 56.