Just wanted to introduce myself, and say thanks for all the great info.
I've been on this site a few times, directed here through searches where I've gained a plethora of knowledge...
So yeah, Hi, and Thanks...
Reason for finally signing up, aside from just joining the community there is an ulterior motive; I'm on the look out for a Sherman Cutlery Co. Straight razor, (keyport, NJ early 20th century)...
Reason being, I'm a jersey boy, and from a sentimental standpoint I like the newwark brands like Electric Cutlery's, A.F. Bannisters, and the likes, and keep an eye out for those as well, as my father and his father were rooted in Newark; but they then relocated to Union Beach when my dad was still young, a small bay town right next to keyport, and some of my earliest (and fondest) memories are fishing off the keyport pier. So I'd love to own a piece of local nostalgia from there, and what better then a straight razor!?
Also, on the hunt for a P. Eiseman (Lancaster, PA early 20th century) since that is the area in which I relocated to at a young age, and while I spent time back and forth, and am a jersey boy at heart, I spent more years out this way and it is where I currently reside with my family, so local nostalgia from this area would also be a nice add to my "family" for heirloom qualities to hand down to my son after I teach him to shave "properly" (and strop, and hone).
Never heard of either until recently looking up information on other brands, and stumbling across them both on a brands list, and saw their place of manufacture...
Any interesting piece will do, even a shot "junk" blade as a conversation piece to start, with no scales would be ok...
These are currently my two "grails".
(I never even actually seen one, and I'm going purely off research and words at this point, though a lot more antiquing may be in order in both PA and during my visits back to the shore).
I actually haven't been shaving much lately save for shape ups, I currently have a good 3-4" beard going on, possibly longer, but I'm still on the hunt, diligently, and who knows, maybe a good Sherman blade, a little TLC to bring it back to an edge, (new scales if needed), would be the motivation to go full baby face again!? I think it shall actually... Mark my words, you heard it here first, when I get my hands on a Sherman and get it shave ready, (or buy it that way), I WILL go all in with a baby smooth face...
Hopefully some of you good and more knowledgeable folk can direct me down the right path. Thanks in advance!
(though it should be noted I'm not keen on paying an arm and leg for one either, just ftr, I'm just a good ol' regular blue collar guy, struggling middle class, so I keep an eye out for reasonably priced blades, I'm not "that" sentimental to ruin Christmas, lol... Maybe i would ask santa for one i found that was out of my price range; I'd rather spend less on an oldie and do the restore myself to make it a goooie, then spend some of the prices "vintage" pieces i see go for in some circles: example, my typical "max" on any vintage pieces I see and Like in auctions is capped around $30-40 w/ shipping... And those are the ones I really like! And im OK not winning many of those bidding wars, knowing someone else obviously wanted it more, however I really want these two makers so, idk what my max would be dependant on condition).