Thread: Main things to watch out for when buying vintage low cost razors

Hi guys, I've been watching a few ads on ebay for vintage razors in the 30-60 dollar range, I was wondering what are the main things to try and look out for when trying to tell the quality, and how difficult is it to learn to restore blades in just slightly run-down condition. Sorry if this has been covered already. I also wanted to know if there is some resource where I can look up estimated values of vintage blades?

Thanks in advance for the responses, really liking the crowd at this forum very friendly and helpful =].

only a newb myself, but i look out for little or no hone wear on the spine, little or no rust, especially near edge, respected manufacturers, a nice straight shaving edge, keep away from razors with a frown, and razors that have excessive hone wear on the toe, not to say they won't shave ok, but there are alot out there in that price range in good to mint condition. Plenty of info on here about the razors to avoid. Hope this helps, oh and keep away from Kama razors, no good.

Always look at the pics that's the number one thing we tell newbies looking on the bay. The reason we tell you to look at the pics is to find all the things we look for in razors from warped scales to cracked or broken. To rust on the blade to pitting and chips and cracks and hone wear there are a lot of things to look at and as time goes one you will become more efficient at looking at the good and the bad and to determine which you want. Hope this helps

Make sure the pics are of both sides of the blade.

I look for auctions with multiple close-up pictures and then check the scales around the pivot pins to look for cracking.

Looking at the blades I make sure there are no chips in the bevel itself and minimum pitting in the rest of the blade.

If I can see actual rust I pass on that auction. Sometimes I'll actually prefer a cracked scale if the blade is in good condition if I'm planning on remaking the scales.

That will usually result in a lower price. There are a few names that I like in my preferred price range. I've had good luck and generally will stick with those.

I like W.H. Morley and Sons, Union Cutlery "Spike" and Torrey to name a few. I prefer 5/8's but have 4/8's and 6/8's.

Most of mine are in the lower price ranges and frequently I'll go after "Buy Me Now" prices particularly ones that also have "Make Me an Offer" options.

With auctions I'll bid where there are no bids when I first check them out and then I'll make and stick with a low bid. If I lose that auction...no big deal.

Some auctions are listed more or less incorrectly so less regular bidders are aware of the auction due to the way it's listed.

Straight Razor Place - Beginners Tips: Feb 2011

There is some help

Plenty of good advice here.
Stay away from Pakistani made blades.
Sometimes I'll gamble on poor pictures in exchange for an exceptional low price. I'd like to think I have a good feel for quality razors despite poor pictures, but it's mainly a gamble that I enjoy taking. I've gotten some amazing razors this way.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Straight Razor Place - Beginners Tips: Feb 2011

There is some help

that article was awesome! something about seeing before and after photos of restorations of kind really does it for me lol

Originally Posted by saitou

Thanks for the help guys, I was wondering if it's alright to post pics of a razor on here ? and maybe someone can point out if there are any bad faults for me?

Yes, but just beware that if for some reason the auction you are watching is flying under the radar, posting it here would alert it to thousands of potential bidders

yeah thats why I saved the photo's and im going to post them separately =]