Thread: How To: Research a razor (warning: long post)

Originally Posted by paulp

MattCB, that book "Straight Razor Collecting - An Illustrated History and Price Guide" must be quite a collectors item…I've checked a couple of places on line and its up around $200. Ouch.

ScienceGuy thanks for the tip on Tweedale's Directory. I'm putting it on the list.

Aside from the fact that the 'Straight Razor Collecting' book is out of print and extremely expensive, I've yet to see an excerpt from it that wasn't full of factual errors. It is probably a good source of pictures of old razors, but any information about them should be considered with a salt-shaker handy.

Unfortunately there isn't really a single, excellent 'spotters guide'. Tweedale's directory is, without doubt, the best for histories, but its focus is on the companies and not the products, so it won't be as useful for identifying marks or design features (though not always).

Anything which purports to be a 'price guide' should be viewed as an attempt by the authors to maintain the values of their own collections and nothing more. There actually are collector markets with steady, identifiable pricing, but antique razors are not one.

(Full disclosure, I'm cited in the 2nd edition of Tweedale's Directory and provided several pictures of old razors)

Originally Posted by Voidmonster

Aside from the fact that the 'Straight Razor Collecting' book is out of print and extremely expensive, I've yet to see an excerpt from it that wasn't full of factual errors. It is probably a good source of pictures of old razors, but any information about them should be considered with a salt-shaker handy.

Unfortunately there isn't really a single, excellent 'spotters guide'. Tweedale's directory is, without doubt, the best for histories, but its focus is on the companies and not the products, so it won't be as useful for identifying marks or design features (though not always).

Anything which purports to be a 'price guide' should be viewed as an attempt by the authors to maintain the values of their own collections and nothing more. There actually are collector markets with steady, identifiable pricing, but antique razors are not one.

(Full disclosure, I'm cited in the 2nd edition of Tweedale's Directory and provided several pictures of old razors)

Tweedale's is GREAT!

Thanks Zak...

Much obliged for the post, Matt. Any opportunity to read about, and learn about, razors is appreciated.

It's all good. I do not have the body of knowledge that a lot of the people here have, but I hoped to point some people in the right direction.

Definitely a point in the right direction. I think the wiki is a good idea as well. The additional input from ScienceGuy and Voidmonster is perfect…thanks guys.

NEED HELP:At 73 I jumped into the straight razor generationbefore I knew it I am up to 40 razors and still cannot figure how to get a ready shave sharpeness?I have stones 1000,2000/5000,6000,8000,10,000 I always start with a bevel with the 1000 and work up.Most time they come out sharp,but not ready shave sharp I see ready shave razors on e.bay and it looks like they made ONE pass with something and its ready shave,how do they do that????Getting frustrated fastThank you.

Well, you will hear this preached religiously around here, but 90% of the work is making sure the bevel is set correctly. Then progress up through the stones and use pastes/sprays (or not) and 75 - 100 laps on plain leather. Without a little more info on where you are having problems, that's just a general shot in the dark.

Take a look at the Library area and read on the Hones/Honing Sections:
Category:Stropping - Straight Razor Place Library
Category:Honing - Straight Razor Place Library
Category:Hones - Straight Razor Place Library

Hi. New to site and thankful for the info. I have one I am unable to find anything about and would appreciate any help. On the top of the blade it says OLD ENGLISH. On the spine it says SILVER STEEL. Nothing else is marked. It has grips on top and bottom. Will try to post pics. Thanks.

Originally Posted by RCook

Hi. New to site and thankful for the info. I have one I am unable to find anything about and would appreciate any help. On the top of the blade it says OLD ENGLISH. On the spine it says SILVER STEEL. Nothing else is marked. It has grips on top and bottom. Will try to post pics. Thanks.

Made between 1822 (when 'Silver Steel' was first publicized) and 1840ish (when that style of blade went out). It was a 'generic' razor, made by a foreman at one of the larger firms. In terms of quality, there should be absolutely no difference between it and a major brand razor of the time.

John Barber originated the 'Old English' mark, but it was rapidly borrowed by, well... Everyone. Originally, the 'Old English' mark was stamped exclusively on a recognizable style of razor (yours), but over time the mark went on to be used on pretty much anything that folded in scales.

From the early 1820's, the main producer of these razors was John Barber, but a copycat using the I. Barber (The capital letter I still being used as a J at the time) stamp popped up pretty quickly. By 1830 or so, Joseph Rodgers was producing them as well.

More likely than not it was the same workmen making the 'originals' and the 'copies', since the old Sheffield system meant small teams were employed at multiple firms and did work as it became available.

Cool. I appreciate the help.