Thread: Vintage Razor questions

Hello group,

My name is Charlie and I am new here. I recently bought a sight unseen from Larry at Whipped Dog. Love shaving with a straight razor.

Anyway, I digress..


A friend of mine has 3 straight razors and a strop she may be willing to sell me. Her grandfather was a barber and she has had these sitting around. They all need work in some varying degree. I am interested in knowing if they are worth restoring and what the value may be so I can offer her a fair price.

First razor is marked WH Morley & Sons
Clover * Brand (with a clover between these words)
Germany
Has original box
Missing one of the scales

Second razor is marked H. Boker & Co
No 387
The other side is marked Germany
No box

Third Razor is marked Dubl Duck Wonderedge on one side
the other side is marked Pearl Duck, Dubl Duck, Solingen Germany
Has original box

All the blades have rust, to different degrees. No chips that I can see.

Here are some pics. Hopefully someone here can offer some guidance

Thanks, in advance

Charlie

Providing the price is reasonable to both of you buy them all. they are all great brands ans with some basic materials and a fair amount of elbow grease they look like they will be fairly straight forward restores. if you are not up to making replacement scales they can be purchased from many sources. once the rust is gone and the blades are looking nice sent them out for a pro honing and you will be quite happy.
Naturally, if you do not want to do any of the work.... find a restoration master and let them work their magic.

just remember when you are buying that you will need restoration work so make sure to consider that when negotiating the price.

enjoy,
jim

Thanks for the reply, Jim. Me, being an absolute total newb, do you have any idea what might be a fair price to offer? Allowing that they need ro be restored, etc. Nothing in concrete, just someplace to start? This is a good friend and co-worker who knows nothing about this (like me LOL)
I want to spend as little as possible, but certainly don't want to insult her or take advantage.

Thanks

Charlie

Hello, and welcome to SRP. As for the value we don't give valuations on the forum, but as for worth it is in the eye of the buyer, if it is worth it to you then go for it. The razors are very reputable!! Nice find.

Thank you for the reply. I'm going to have them over the weekend. I'll have to do a little research on them and the cost for restoration.
Thanks, folks, for the replies and the help.

Charlie

Nice vintage straights. Good brands too. As said they will take a bit of work an honing but I think you would have three very nice straights if you put the time in with them. You can look at recently sold versions on ebay to get an ideal on a price. An as far as restoration there is a ton of knowledge an experience on this site. If you need the help just ask. If you don't want to do the work then you can send it out to one of the members here. Good luck.

Welcome to SRP. The Wonderedge is a highly sought after razor in original scales, and in excellent + or better condition. There is a condition called celluloid rot, caused by gases sometimes given off when celluloid decomposes. Whether the corrosion on that Wonderedge is a result of cell rot, or of poor storage, is the question. If it is not cell rot, and if the corrosion isn't too deep, the razor would be worth the cost of restoration. If it is cell rot the scales are junk and the collector's value of the razor is gone. For the others go to 'straight razors' on ebay in 'completed items' to see what razors in similar condition are bringing.