Any newbies looking for a razor??

[C utz]

(Please read all the way through) $15 (shipped) or Best offer!

I have a razor here that I cleaned up (a complete overhaul, blade to scales). I have before and after pictures in "Restoration --> 'Dead Razor Shaving'".

It's a 6/8 'Henry Sears & Sons' which means it was made/offered for only about 15 years in the late 1800's:
HENRY SEARS & SON, Chicago, Illinois (ca. 1883 - 1897)

(see images, sorry for the poor scan, but the blade is NOT that dark. It was the only way I could catch the "Sheffield Hollow Ground" on the blade....)

The razor comes shave ready, and is easy to hone. It's a classic design with translucent horn scales. It's been completely cleaned, repined (nice and tight so the blade holds any angle with out closing on it self), and closes straight between the scales. Horn splits (very common with horn of this age) have been reinforced, and smoothed. All original harware, and refitted/pinned to it's era/style.

The only drawback is, that there is a small crack in the heel (close up in image makes the crack look worse than it is. I had to catch the reflection just right to show it in the scan). Normally a crack is the 'kiss of death' for a razor...HOWEVER, with this particular blade, the crack is small and in the heel of the blade. It does not even touch the cutting edge of the blade, and does not effect how the razor hones and shaves. It's a very old crack that looks as though it might have been there from the make of the blade. It's something that I uncovered when refurbishing the razor. Also, while the blade is hollow ground, it's not the paper thin full hollow grind, so there is no flex to the blade (which would be an issue for a crack), and is a rather heavy solid blade.......

I'm thinking that this would make a great 'first or second' razor.

Is asking $15 shipped anywhere in the US, honed and ready for use too much
OR best offer. I'd hate to just throw this away since she still performs well!

PM or email me if you are interested! (taztu at hotmail)

Also, any input is helpful.....
C utz