Can someone please tell me something about these (pic heavy)

Hi, sorry to bother everyone with my 1st post but i recently inherited 9 straight razors that i have no use for. They belonged to my great uncle who died over 25years ago and more recently my aunt died leaving them to me.

Here they are..

I have no use for these at all but i have read the rules on selling and this IS NOT a for sale thread. It more or a 'can someone please tell something about them' & 'what should i do with them'. They have absolutely no sentimental value to me at all but they have sparked my curiosity and interest in straight razors. I've tried looking for WUSTHOF and all that comes up on Google is the WUSTHOF company but they don't appear to make razors anymore.

How old do you think they are?
They all appear to be made in Solingen Germany, why is that?

They are....
The Gotta Razor 120 4/8
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a26...2014130308.jpg

Ed.Wusthof-Solingen Dreizackwerk 116
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a26...2014130350.jpg

Giesen & Forsthoff Timor Blue Steel 150 6/8
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a26...2014130429.jpg

Puma 1938 5/8
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a26...2014133513.jpg

Original Bartman 30 5/8 I have 5 of these but can't put all the pics up.
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a26...2014130547.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a26...2014130515.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a26...2014130450.jpg





Thanks for your time guys.

You hit the Mother Lode.....

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Originally Posted by Phoenix51

You hit the Mother Lode.....

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Originally Posted by Phoenix51

You hit the Mother Lode.....

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Really!!!. They don't interest me at all (I'm a casual beard grower lol). I'm more interested in knowing about them. They have no sentimental value and i have no idea of monetary value so they don't mean a lot to me...sorry if that shocks some people lol.

Whats so good about them?

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a26...2014133344.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a26...2014130612.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a26...2014130636.jpg

A couple of the pictures won't load for me but you've got a bunch of vintage razors from good brands and not only are they in great condition, you've got the original boxes too.

I'd suggest that you keep them and learn how to use a straight(don't use those razors for honing practice though) and see how you like it.

Few members are lucky enough to have even one heirloom razor, you've got a bunch of 'em and they're in good condition too but they're your razors and if you want to sell them(or give them to me) that's up to you.

Mother lode hell!. They are the great grandmother of lodes. I'm sure they will come to the attention of the razor historians on the forum. I'm sure they will come forth and educate you on the treasure trove you have acquired. I think, in the UK, if you contact celticrusader, he might be able to help you. Just PM him. If he can't I'm sure he will know of someone who can. You have a mini gold mine there.

Your uncle took very good care of his razors.

Superb legacy collection. I concur - unless you're unable to buy food they have an inherent value as a family heirloom that exceeds a relatively modest monetary value. Such a collection would be easy enough to sell but very difficult to replace. Clean them, rust-protect them and put them in a safe place. I wore a beard for 40-years before I came around to understand the real value of what your great aunt preserved for you. She had a good eye for something special and hung on to them for a reason. Still, feel free to call me in 15 or 20 years if you decide to part with them. :)

I sold my old mans mint black powder era Winchester .50cal Express lever action elephant gun so I could make a down payment on my first house. If I'd kept the rifle I still would've had a house sooner or later but I'll never see that piece of iron again. Take your time and think it over.

That is a very nice score. If you look around in the classifieds section you will find an area called member services. In there you will find several ads for pro honers. Get one sharpened and try it. If it turns out not to be your thing, you can keep them or give them to members of your family that may want to use them. I wouldn't think of selling family razors, but if you decide to go that route, they are yours. They are all top name brand and in decent shape, so whatever you choose they are prime candidates. None of them are particularly old, or rare but they are all good quality even for the era of manufacture.

Wow I'm quite shocked at the feedback on these. They've been sat in my draw for over a year as they really don't interest me and if I'm honest i forgot all about them. On the one hand they would be nice to hand down to another generation (if one ever arises) but then on the other hand it would also be nice to move them on to someone who appreciates them. If i kept them i'd have to learn about sharpening them (not sure if thats the right term) and looking after them haha like i need another hobby.

Thanks for all your replies guys, i really appreciate your input and advice.

Why are they all from 1 place though in Germany and whats so good about them.

During the industrialization of a lot of countries they put all the related businesses together. In England it was Sheffield and in Germany it was Soligen, Sweeden had Eskilstuna etc etc. That area is know for good cutlery because of the quality of the steel and the skill of the craftsmen. It gets technical from there but that is the short answer.

Very high quality blades in very nice condition!

I would keep them as family heirlooms ..

Nice group of razors. Made in Solingen because that was, and still is, the center of cutlery production in Germany.

Since you don't have any sentimental value for them, and are not interested in monetary value, how about donating them to the SRP monthly giveaway ? Str8razor is the one to send them to.

Send him a PM for his address if you are an altruist who wants to see them go to new shavers who will pay nothing for them. Otherwise put them on ebay and good luck.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/gener...ml#post1309682

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Originally Posted by RezDog

During the industrialization of a lot of countries they put all the related businesses together. In England it was Sheffield and in Germany it was Soligen, Sweeden had Eskilstuna etc etc. That area is know for good cutlery because of the quality of the steel and the skill of the craftsmen. It gets technical from there but that is the short answer.

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Awesome, makes a lot more sense now. I tried to look up WUSTHOF and all i could come up with was a company with the same logo that made knifes, kitchenware and alike but no razors. What decade was that?

Lord Thunderin' Jesus....as mentioned, you hit the mother lode!

Ed Wustof makes very fine, superb razors, he wasn't a prolific as others, but his razors are considered harder to find and are of great quality.

Here is an example of one of his superb blades:

Attachment 167922

Nice little collection you got there. I do enjoy a vintage hollow ground Solingen blade.

The manufacturers page of the Wiki might give you some leads:
Category:Manufacturers - Straight Razor Place Library

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Originally Posted by NathanG

Awesome, makes a lot more sense now. I tried to look up WUSTHOF and all i could come up with was a company with the same logo that made knifes, kitchenware and alike but no razors. What decade was that?

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Same company, different era. Like anything else, quality materials and craftsmanship produce a superior product. In this case it translates into razors that consistently were capable of very fine edges that produce great shaves. I have one Wusthof and its a favorite of mine. And yes, they are a little more rare than other names that come up far more frequently. Just do a search on this site and you'll find some more conversation about all of those razors. However, I can't tell you anything about the age of them. You might find some specific information through strazors.com.

One more bit of advice, if you decide to hang on to them for an extended period of time be sure to coat the metal on all of them with oil and put them away. The Puma is already showing a little rust. I'm sure it can still be salvaged without any serious consequence but the elements will eat them away if not taken care of. They've made it this far, don't let the effects of time do them in.

All those pretty boxes! :bow

Thanks so much for all your help guys. I've decided to hold onto the razors. For some reason I've got all nostalgic and teary eyed about passing on a couple of bits of shinny sharp metal. If someone has gone to all that trouble of making something so precise the least I can do is look after and maintain them ready for the next generation.

Off I go to learn how to maintain them haha

Man, oh man! :dropjaw:

Mother lode? Yeah! Every razor there is one that I covet!

Good decision to keep them, IMHO...

Perhaps you will be inspired to shave as your great uncle, and I'm sure other men of your family did. It's more efficient, enables you to become self sufficient in that area of your life, and if it matters, it's better for the planet.

As an added bonus, you will save tons of money! :p

Please keep us posted!

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Originally Posted by Druid

As an added bonus, you will save tons of money! :p

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LOL.

Good to hear that you've decided to keep them, when you have razors with celluloid scales you'll want to keep an eye on them in case the celluloid starts to break down, we call this cell rot and there're multiple threads about it and how you spot it.

Cell rot is bad because it releases gases that corrodes the steel and it can ruin a razor.

When/if you give it a try I'd recommend reading through the wiki on the forum, there's a lot of great info there.

Remember to be patient since your shaves will most likely not be that good when you start out.

are you serious, that is an awsome score & they are all in great condition still with original boxes you Uncle & Aunt keep them very well preserved

Mind boggling.....
What an amazing and well kept collection.

:dropjaw: I need relatives like yours! Nice collection with matching boxes an heirlooms! Are you freaking kidding me?! Don't ever sell those. Even if you don't decide to use them, keep them oiled an check on them periodically for issues.