Thread: Should I buy this ERN

Hey guys, I came across a vintage straight razor offer locally. Now I cant decide is it worth it to buy this razor for 45$ maybe some of you can help me decide ?
I got these pictures from seller. They ware bad quality but thats all she had.


Seems that it isnt worn badly. Owner says its from year 1638. But I think thats probably not true.. ? Also the box says Zwillingswerk although the blade says its ERN. Im no expert but that box probably inst from that razor. Also the letters on the blade it self seems to be Russian but the ERN is made by Germans I think.. Thats weird..

Yes the box is not original to the razor. ERN razors tend to be excellent shavers that take and hold a great edge. for me I would simply clean and polish this razor by hand it would not be super pretty but that in no way affects the shave or my enjoyment thereof, YMMV.

As for price the powers that be forbid valuations which is a good thing. if it is to you liking and you can live with the price buy it, but since it is on the bay try and get the seller to lower the price... haggling makes the world go round.

enjoy,
jim

I have an ERN that earns it's keep every time I use it. One of my best shavers and it does keep it's edge nicely. As to a date of 1638, she should be cautioned about false advertising. Possibly early part (to 1935) of the last century.

As I read on this forums people really like these ERN razors. Im just worried that if its really ERN.. Those Russian letters on the blade are really suspicious. I doubt that Germans made razors for Russians. Maybe its a Russian fake with just ERN carved on shank..

Just a thought, it could be the other way around and someone added the Russian. As they say, if in doubt, don't do it. There are many more razors out there that will be to your liking.

It looks like a legitimate ERN. You should be able to make out a difference in the way the lettering is applied - the marks on the shank would be impressed with a hardened steel makers mark, and leave a definite impression in the steel.

The lettering on the blade would not be done in the same way. It would either be machine engraved (via the use of a pantograph engraver or other assisted means of reproduction) or etched, leaving a bright letter on a dull/satin field - or vice versa.

The latter would be very easy to do. It could have been imported by a russian shop along with many others, then etched with the shop owners details, for instance. Carl Friedrich Ern's dates of operation mean that it could have been imported before or after the war.

The date is obviously wrong as the company did not really start up until 1873, but it may be an honest mistake as the shanks were often stamped with make numbers - yours for instance looks a litle like an Ern 1166 (same major lines, square tip though) which was probably available in the early 1930s pre WW2 and post WW2. Ern functioned as a razor-maker well past that date, but as the DE razors and safety razors took hold the old straight razor began its inevitable decline in the 1960s.

Regards,
Neil

Wow, really detailed info Neil, thanks alot!
45$ seems a average price - not cheap not expensive. I just hope its really German made thus the quality. I could probably get some other German razor on ebay cheaper though..

IMHO it isn't 'bad', it isn't good. An average vintage Solingen piece in fair condition. Add the cost of shipping both ways when you send it out to be honed and it will be double the asking price by the time you're done. TBH that wouldn't be worth it to me. If you can hone your own, have the tools and the skill, maybe. Otherwise I'd look at the SRP classifieds and wait for a similarly priced razor, already shave ready, and in the same or better condition.

Edit; I must add that it looks to be a 9/16 or so width. That prejudices me against it. I like at least a 5/8 or a 6/8.

As said it is an ok price, more importantly if you are new, buy razors you can hold in your hand and inspect.

While this one looks ok, blurry photos, mis-information (intentional or not) and a bit pricy make me walk. I would pass.
There are lots of good razors in the wild. Also as said remember the total cost, shipping, honing and repair.

I much prefer to buy at antique stores or flea markets or as said the classified.

Once you know what to look for, then take your chances on the bay.

Thanks for your input guys, I`ll probably try to get the price lower to about 30$ if not then Ill probably pass..

The funny part is that the Russian writing etched on the blade says - "Quality English razor" Thats just too weird A blade made in Germany then sold to Russian people by claiming that its made in England. Well knowing how badly informed Russian people ware kept in those (even nowadays) days that might be in a weird way true.. Who knows.. Still weird

Originally Posted by WetShaveObsession

You said its locally..if you are really interested and its locally maybe ask the seller if you can see it before deciding. Im not sure 100% what the deal is. Your post says locally but i see refs to ebay in alot of posts. Is it an ebay seller that is near by or is it a local seeler not from ebay ?

The thing is that the seller locates in my country but lives about a 5-4 hour drive away from me. I also would be much happier to hold the razor in my hands but thats just too far to just drive there. Well then as I said Ill try to get the price lower saying that those prints on the blade make no seance and that is shouldn't be that expensive..