Thread: The original an true pipe razor, bought it and asking for advice.

Hello guys!
After long looking in lots of antique shops I finally bought me a razor.
I spent a lot of time now looking for the exact same model to get to know more about it.
But i can only find similar ones and none that really match.

I bought it for 30$, it is sharp but not nearly sharp enough for shaving, the blade looks like there are no serious scratches or damage, just real tiny edges.
The scales are broken but I wanted to get new ones anyway so that should be no problem.

The blade is a bit more narrow at the one side but I guess it wasn't used too much.


So my questions would be:
Was it worth the 30$?
Is it a blade I will be able to use a long time, a good quality?
How old is this thing probably?


Thanks in advance guys!
It is my first "real" one since I only used straight razors with disposable blades so far...

Welcome to SRP. We don't allow appraisals of value on SRP because they are opinions and may not necessarily reflect true market value. Check out ebay completed items for 'pipe razor' and you'll come up with a more accurate real world view.

I've got the exact same razor, same scales, etch, and tang stamps. I'm guessing that the stamp on the reverse tang is the vendor Wostenholm made the razor for. Some of SRP's more knowledgeable members will probably have more details than I can give. They will be along.

Look nice as far as the blade goes. A bit of wear as the the bevel is past the underside of the etch but still plenty there. Too bad the scales are not usable, that will add to the cost unless you have the skills yourself. Get it scaled, honed up and enjoy.

Hey, thanks for the reply!
I am not going to sell it, was just curious. As long as I did not pay way too much it does not really matter.
I wanted to fix the scale with tape first and attempt to make new ones by myself when I got the time for.
I saw plenty of how- to guides for that and I think I am pretty handy so that should work.
I am travelling trough the US till mid july and I planned to find some shop for honing it in either San Diego, Los angeles, San Francisco or Seattle.
Someone knows a nice one somewhere there?
I read about the sharp shop in Las Vegas where I currently am but it's my last day here and I did not make it early enough to get it back today...


I also saw there are a lot of guys knowing how to hone and rescale here on the forum, If someone is living in this areas and willing to do that I would appreciate some offers, except that is not allowed here, but I saw a few people in other posts mention members that do rescaling/honing so I wanted to give it a shot, sorry if it's not wanted.

Our SRP classifieds have a 'member services' area where you can find honers, restorers, all of that expertise. Not saying some shop in a city might be alright, but we've seen many horror stories from people who've gotten their razors "professionally" honed in some of those.

Member Services - Straight Razor Place Classifieds

Originally Posted by martin2305

So my questions would be:
Was it worth the 30$?
Is it a blade I will be able to use a long time, a good quality?
How old is this thing probably?

This is a Wostenholm Pipe Razor I have the same razor.

Was it worth the 30$?
As always, if you are satisfied with your purchase, then it was worth it. Mine was purchased over a year ago so what I paid does not apply now.

Is it a blade I will be able to use a long time, a good quality?
I have a few Wostenholms, each slightly different. Only the one with the etch on the face of the blade like yours. Each hones up and shaves well. They are well respected razors.

How old is this thing probably?
I can refer you to this posting http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...nholm-son.html

I liked this razor so much I use it for display instead of shaving. I have other Wosty's that I can shave with instead.

If the scales are true Nacre (tortoise shell) and you will not find any like them and they might be worth repairing, but that is up to you.