Thread: 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..

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...

Originally Posted by carlmaloschneider

I like the middle one, actually...

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.