Thread: Ok To Be Old

Thanks X I think that did it for me.
Phillip

I would like to say if I had a razor older than say 1820 I doubt if I would want to try to restore it. It may be a good shaver, but I doubt as good as newer ones. If a razor is expensive due to its age would be another reason not to mess with it. There are razors out there that if you want to shave with and not worry about devalue then look for razors like this one on ebay.

6607361278 - Nice razor to shave with. It has great steel and one of the best names going. Problem for some people is that the original ornate scales have been replaced with inexpensive plastic ones. It will still hone up and shave great. One should get this Goldedge for a bargin and not worry about the collector value.

Glen

p.s. you can enter that ebay number directly into the search box on ebay...

Thanks Glen,
I have added it to my watch list and will pick it up tomorrow night.
You guys are a ton of help in not reinventing the wheel for me.
Phillip

Glen, please don't take offense to what I am going to say. Part of the update to my CD is going to be how and what to bid on for eBay prospects. Glen, your intention is right on the money, but I would not bid on that particular razor for the following reason.

Look at the hone wear. See how it is thicker in the center of the blade? It's not easily noticed in the grubby picture of the razor. But the barely noticeable telltale wear means the owner of that razor did not know how to hone. He put a belly in the blade that is not going to hone out easily. I can fix a razor like this, but remember, I have a $4,000 burr king as a helper. Unless this razor was a 6/8, I wouldn't even choose to restore it myself. They are more trouble than they are worth.

Here are a couple choices I would make on a limited budget with minimal restoration skills or maybe just a lack of the tools to do the work:

6608415768
6607354815
6607423137
This next one I would take a chance on. I don't think there is too much damage to the cutting edge. It should hone out. If someone buys it and I am wrong, I will fix it for you for free.
6607328679
The following is a good choice, but you will probably have to go a tad above $20 to beat the current bidder. This guy picks out pretty good razors most of the time.
6607446344

Thanks Bill,
I will pick up one of these. Particularly like the Wostenholm. Check out 6607364910. I just picked up some great Amboyna and I am thinking about using it for some new scales here.
Phillip

Originally Posted by pmays

Thanks Bill,
I will pick up one of these. Particularly like the Wostenholm. Check out 6607364910. I just picked up some great Amboyna and I am thinking about using it for some new scales here.
Phillip

The Puma, in this case is not a good choice, even at 3.oo. Check the heavy hone wear at the tip. This is also caused by improper honing. Too much pressure was used at the end of the razor and it also looks like the owner scythed the very tip with each pass over the stone.

Amboyna is an interesting choice. Some of it has a great pattern. Just make sure it has been stabilized first. It is not dense enough to be used without it. Cocobolo and desert ironwood are the only woods that don't need to go through the stabilization process. Do a search here in these forums if you don't know what stabilization is and how it is done.

Thanks Bill again,
The wood I am good with after about twenty years of contracting, and operating a now officially SOLD hard wood company (whoopee) I am finally OK with wood. But metal is an entirely new ball game. I appreciate you looking out for me in that department, as well as the great advice about stabilization of the burl wood. Cocobolo is a great wood as well, I have a duck call made out of it and I love it.

I am planning on buying the 6607328679 here in a few minutes and looking forward to a little work. Bill how can I get a copy of your CD mentioned in the New Restoration Project Forum.

Thanks
Phillip

Can anyone help me with which brand of old/vintage razors are worth investing in? Some of the brands I've seen around locally (ie Australia) include Bengall, Invicta, Torrey, Joseph Allen, Bleckmann, Plumacher or Gotta (this could be a model name), WUG.
I'd like to get some old razors in good nick to eventually sharpen up and keep. Where should mey priority be? I realise Solingen made blades are good, and no rust, etc. But what brand to look for?
Cheers

Are you really looking to "invest" in razors or do you mean shaving with them?

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

Are you really looking to "invest" in razors or do you mean shaving with them?

I suppose I really mean invest. But their is something appealing about shaving with a vintage razor, but that's not so important.