Thread: antique stores

Hi all,
I'm trying to get into straight shaving, and I figured a good place to get a cheap razor would be at some antique stores, of which there are plenty around. How do I know what can be made into a good razor from a bad, while shopping at these stores?

Thanks,
Aaron

Since you're new at this, your best bet is to get a razor here at the B/S/T section from one of the members. It will be shave ready(most of the time) that way you can get right into the learning part.

Antique store razors can be a real crap-shoot. I'd recommend the same as coachmike....check the BST section here and pick one up. A couple were going for less than $50 earlier today.

I, however, would disagree.

Go to the antique store and, to keep things simple, find yourself a German or English razor (ie. Solingen or Sheffield). Assuming they don't have any in mint condition, try to get one that has little to no hone wear and no pitting in the blade. This is steel's equivalent to cancer, and you're too new to this to bother with the required chemo (serious razor restoration).

Ideally, you want a hollow ground, because it's easy to sharpen when you yourself reach that step. If it has tarnish or rust, it doesn't matter, since a of couple bucks will buy you some wonderous metal polish that will turn the thing into a freakin' mirror if you've chosen well.

As for the scales (handle) on the razor, just make sure they're pinned together tightly and that the blade is centred between them as it closes.

If you do these steps correctly, I have no doubt you'll happen upon a diamond in the rough. I won't go into it again, but previous posts of mine have detailed some kick ass finds in antique stores. Wade and Butchers, Dovos, Dubl Ducks, Henckels -- all for just a few bucks each. The key is to downplay the thing as a piece of junk and point your finger at every last bit of grime on the thing as a preface to your lowball offer. They'll go for it.

****

Zip ahead a bit -- you now have an awesome, albeit dirty and dull razor you paid five to fifteen bucks for. Clean that sucker up like I said, and know now that you have a beautiful antique at one tenth the price you might have paid for it on....say, eBay.

But it's still dull, darn it. That's okay, though, because a lot of people will hone your razor for you for like, fifteen or twenty bucks. But if you like, you can send me a postage-paid, self-addressed envelope and I'll get it shaving sharp free of charge.

Now go, my child. Make haste!

My first straights were from antique stores! I think that if your willing to spend the time looking you could get some nice razors relatively cheap! That being said, if you want to get off to a less frustrating beginning I would recommend buying one shave ready, all ready restored razor from the BST forum and learn to use it and care for it! Once you are sure that this is for you, go treasure hunting and learn to restore and hone whatever straights you find at the antique stores!