Thread: Buenos Aires Antique markets

Has anyone ever been to the antique markets they have in Buenos Aires? my girlfriend recently went there and stumbled across them and spotted some straight razors. Knowing i'm obsessed with them she pick me up one which i'm yet to get (or know the brand of). Anyway she said there were 100s there and i've got my dad going there for a few weeks so i'm considering asking him to perhaps look for a wonder edge for me. Does anyone know if there are lots of fakes going around or what to look for in terms of knowing it's genuine? I sorta assume that the markets there would have lots of dodgy or fake razors but i though it might be worth the try. I'm not someone who hordes razords but i would be interested to have one really respectable one.

thanks guys

orfeo

Hello Orfeo...
Your a lucky man, to have so many razors available, to sort through. Some of these other, more experienced dudes, could probably give ya more advice, but i found a book titled, "Standard Guide to Razors...third edition," by Roy Ritche & Ron Stewart, that has been a great guide for me, in seeing what is valuable. I paid 12.95 in the book store, for it.
Also, there is a list of razors to avoid, in the wiki section of this site.

Good luck,

Mac

That list of razors to avoid is a god send. Read it, know it, follow it.

If you're into collecting already, and want certain things, it can be really tough. However, if you're just looking to lay hands on a few more razors, there's three pretty basic guide lines you can follow, that will lead you right "most" of the time.

1. Avoid all "new" razors unless they are dovo, thiers issard, mistro livi, etc. One of the big, well known brands. MANY of the new razors you see are pakistani or chinese steel, and not reliable. Some of these have even gone around with "Solingen" stamped on the blades or scales because they were assembled there. These would be the "fakes" you're worried about. So, if it's brand new, don't buy it just because it says solingen. Make sure it's a good brand.

2. Pretty much any "vintage" blade can be made shave worthy provided that there are no chips in the blade wider than the bevel, no really deep pitting or rust, no significant rust on the bevel, and the hone wear is even.

3. The razor should open and close without the edge touching the scales, and the scales should be free from cracks.


Those rules are by no means perfect or complete, and could potentially cause you to pass up a real diamond in the rough. However, since you're talking about having somebody else pick them up for you if I understand correctly, they are simple enough to pass along to your girlfriend or father, and will steer you right more often than not.

Send me, Ill go look for you!

If a razor from South America is listed on ebay it often is a Filly so you might be lucky.