Thread: Grinds my Gears: "Antique Stores."

I would guess that I look at more than 100 razors at antique strores before I come across the smoking deal I daydream of finding.
Yard sales are much, much better odds at finding the fantastic price on a good razor but maybe 1 in 100 yard sales will have an antique straight razor and I still have yet to find a newer razor of high quality.
The great finds are elusive and the hunt continues!!!

There are some sick puppies out there, Jmmullins.

Round here, The high price for an SR(I only saw one at this price) at an antique store that I've seen in $25. Most are $20 regardless of the manufacturer. I've steered clear away from the part of the state where I know they await me. One guy has about 15 SRs a couple vintage DEs.

Keepin' the RAD in check. I know I'm going there at some point... It messes with me.

In Australia, one can say without fear of contradiction, that antique stores are not the place to buy straight razors; DEs yes, but emphatically not straights! The problem, as an earlier poster pointed out, is that stores have to pay rent and (unlike most flea market vendors) have to charge serious mark-up to cover their costs and make a living. They also know absolutely nothing about straight razors beyond what a quick perusal of ebay can teach them - and I think we know how misleading that could be. "Gee, that razor went for $150, therefore my collection of moth eaten, rusted and chipped rubbish must be worth say, half that." The result is a bunch of $65-75 razors that are past any restoration and therefore worth only a few dollars for the scales. Try telling the dealer that and see how far you get.

My preference is for flea markets or antique fair only vendors. I have bought only one useable straight from an antique store and the vendor was renting space in a large centre and was also a real gentleman who would not overcharge. The itinerant and amateur sellers at fleas and fairs are looking for a quick sale and often don't have a lot of money (or pride) tied up in their stuff.

Next preference is that well-known online auction site and of course YMMV

I wasn't overly impressed at the reaction I got from one antique store merchant. He seemed to take exception that I should ask after them, claiming they were lethal and deadly weapons that should not be available to the public. There seemed a distorted logic to this which might warrant consideration, however, the 6' halberd (Big axe on a long stick) standing behind him did somewhat negate such logic.

I live in an area of countryside with at least four serious, as in thousand blade+, collectors that are closer to the blades than I. To find a blade here is an awesome achievement and the prices are very high. Checking the 'Bay is a given for the dealers in this area. I see though, that the razors in many of the cases have the renewal already accomplished and only a honing is required.
That said, collectors are dying every day and the offspring goes to dealers or Craigslist or local online auctions to sell off the collection. A buddy bought over a hundred fair blades for less than five dollars each.
~Richard
Enjoy the hunt!

Originally Posted by Christel

I wasn't overly impressed at the reaction I got from one antique store merchant. He seemed to take exception that I should ask after them, claiming they were lethal and deadly weapons that should not be available to the public. There seemed a distorted logic to this which might warrant consideration, however, the 6' halberd (Big axe on a long stick) standing behind him did somewhat negate such logic.

When I told one friend that I have been shaving with straights he said "you mean a switchblade?"
That isn't the only time I've seen that mistake made. Maybe that's what the guy thought you were asking for? Did you mention the halberd? Lol.

They both have sharp edges but that's sort of the end of the similarities - it would seem Saussure and Derrida might be appropriate here.

It's possible that the vendor who I spoke to made a similar mistake - he sadly didn't see the humour when I enquired after the halberd, telling him that it was intended for for 10 year old son as a toy. With not a hint of irony he gave me the price and advised how the item could be delivered to my home. It was almost surreal and I still cant believe he took affront to the idea of selling me a straight razor but seemed more that happy to allow a 10 year old boy to have a halberd as a toy.

I should try it at a pet store sometime "What?!?! You want a puppy, what kind of demented crazy person are you, wanting something so dangerous. Now, if Sir. would come with me, we stock a number or rapid, feral wolves that would be far more suitable."

Not to pile on in opposition to the OP, but i had a pretty good couple of days at the antique stores. I mentioned earlier in the post about getting 2 pretty nice SRs but didn't mention the $4 Gillette TTO. that was on Thursday. On Saturday, I got in an argument with my GF and left the house with no real destination. After grabbing some lunch I figured 'what the hell, I'll go to an antique store in Providence'. I've been to this particular store a few times and I've gotten some pretty nice razors in the past. Well, after an hour drive, the place is a ZOO. I had to park over a block away! I had no idea what was going on. Well, as I approach the front door, I find out its 'dealer day' a semi annual event where the dealers that rent space are present and there is pretty much a 20% discount throughout the store. AWESOME!! So, I find the cases where there are usually some razors...nothing I haven't already seen before I ask one of the guys that work there if there are anymore razors and he points me in the direction of a gentleman dealing with a few customers. I wait my turn and introduce myself. We talk razors for a couple of minutes and he unlocks his display case for me. I pick and poke and find a nice big 7/8 german blade but not much else. Then he says 'take a look at this' and pulls a large roll out with about an additional 30 razors!! Again I pick and poke and find 2 Wm Greaves, a dame,stoddard and kendall and a jm schmid and son...each one 20% off and not too pricey to begin with!!! All in all a very good 2 days of hunting!! (sorry so wordy...still a bit excited!) Pics below:



(right to left, top to bottom)
JA Henckles, the king of all razor (j bestgen Boston) ,Gebr meis (romo), dame stoddard and Kendall, jm schmid and son, Gillette tto, greaves sheaf works, greaves cast steel

Chris

The lady at the trading post by me haggle herself down. I'll tell her 40 and she'll come back with would ya give 25? Lol yes ma'am I will. Got my best razors from them. Some real $$$ ones too. She likes my interest. Reminds her of her husband. She often brings more in from his private collection and holds Em for me to look at and value. Also I Get Dibs lol.