Thread: My Collection - Identifying, Valuing, and Restoring

Joined this place a couple years ago and sort of just forgot about it. I only use like 2 or 3 of these razors and I'm progressively getting more and more into the traditional shaving culture. As such, I figured I'd post up the majority of my collection. I have another handful sitting at my family's house that are far too rusty to ever want to try and clean up, but I think once I tackle these maybe I'll revisit them and get an opinion from you guys. I inherited these from my father, who inherited the majority from his father. I would just like some idea as to some of their individual values and history, how I might go about restoring the rustier ones, and if I would be committing any mortal sins by replacing the scales on any of them with handmade wooden ones.

I'll start with my more favored shavers. First up is this green handled Wade & Butcher. Very heavy blade and the weight makes it really nice to shave with. Could use some cleaning up and needs honed a little bit more. I hate the handle though, and while I'm sure it looked nice at some point, it's now dirty and discolored. I would love to put this blade in some walnut scales.


Another Wade & Butcher. This one is a Medium Size Hollow Ground as you can see. I feel like this is the oldest of the bunch, but pretty good condition considering its age. Definitely needs honed more as it could be much sharper. Handle is in good condition and I'm actually rather pleased with it.


This is a Supplee-Biddle, with the faux tiger wood scales. Love shaving with this one. It's light, super sharp, and really slim. I often take this one with me when I travel. Blade is in very good condition, as is the handle, and would only really need minor restoration to get some of the stains and oxidation spots off the surface.



A J.R. Torrey that's definitely seen better days. Never shaved with it, for obvious reasons. Looks like it could be a really nice shaver though, and the handle is in good condition with a very tight pivot. Needs some restoration before it ever touches my face though.



This one is a Thistle Cut Co. razor. Couldn't find much about these online. It's in dire need of restoration, but I'm really worried about the engraving on the blade suffering from any kind of cleaning. The sword looks super cool and I'd love to keep it intact, but the pitting is strong. The handle is also pretty worn, and while it's still a tight grip, I feel like it would benefit from a new set of scales.



I don't really like this one. It's a Larkin, and while the blade remains very sharp, it has some rust on it, and thus has never been put to the test. The handle is what bothers me the most. It's loose and well...looks pretty ugly. The blade seems like it has potential to be a great shaver simply due to the shape of it and the angle of the edge, but it will need some restoration first.



Last one is an N.J. Dilworth. The handle on this is broken, and one side of the scales is barely hanging in there. Blade is sort of clean and shiny, but like the rest still has spots and a little bit of rust and discoloration. Could be a good shaver, and most likely the best candidate for getting a new set of scales.




Let me know what you guys think. Idk if this forum resizes images or not so I hope these aren't massive haha. I just uploaded everything to imgur right from my phone's picture folder so no manual re-sizing. If anyone would like more pics or details on any of them, hit me up and I'll gladly oblige. Like I said, mainly looking for dating/history/value on them, as well as tips for restoring them all. I'd hate to send them away to get restored by someone more professional as they're kind of sentimental and I'd hate for them to get lost in transit. Plus I feel like I owe it to my father and grandfather to restore them myself and keep them alive in the family, possibly to hand down to my own son some day.

Enjoy!

Last pic that wouldn't fit in the first post. A nice group shot of all of my shaving loot, sans the couple of old double edges from the 50's/60's that managed to get lost in my last move.

Very nice collection, however we do not do valuations here.

That's cool I guess. Not exactly looking to sell them really. I was more of asking if I gave any of them new scales, would I be destroying their collectible value? Or rather, if any were collectible or rare enough to even worry about such a thing?

I don't want to modify one and find out later that I made a huge mistake.

Originally Posted by Crowcaine

That's cool I guess. Not exactly looking to sell them really. I was more of asking if I gave any of them new scales, would I be destroying their collectible value? Or rather, if any were collectible or rare enough to even worry about such a thing?

I don't want to modify one and find out later that I made a huge mistake.

I do not think the collectible value will be lost upon replacing the scales, but that is me.

Right. I always made the assumption that the blade is what truly mattered, given that the most popular choice of material for the scales is "hey, what's the cheapest plastic we can find to put on these?"

*EDIT* And if anyone knows of anyone in Pittsburgh that deals in restorations or really any general traditional shaving sales and knowledge, I would love to be pointed in the right direction. There are many things I'd love to ask and witness first hand.

Originally Posted by Crowcaine

Right. I always made the assumption that the blade is what truly mattered, given that the most popular choice of material for the scales is "hey, what's the cheapest plastic we can find to put on these?"

I think you'll find both viewponts on that subject depending on who you ask
To me, original scales is more or less a must.
I loose most any interest I might have had when I see modern materials or design in a new set of scales on a vintage razor.
Sure, if the original scales are defect in some way, a new set of scales will be the better option.
If the original is beyond repair that is.

Yes, value is very subjective and really only valid for the buyer.

If you plan to keep and use them, by all means rescale as you wish.

I prefer rescaling vintage razors in horn, as was very common. But it is a matter of preference there are a number of very nice scale materials available as well as exotic woods.

Check the Library and the Workshop threads, there is a wealth of How to Information on restoration.

The first two razors in horn will clean up nicely with steel wool and WD40 sand with 1K wet and dry and polish with a good metal polish. You will be surprised at how good they can look. Horn will shine up very nicely with a little time and a lite touch.

Nice collection, enjoy.

the green handle wade with Sheffield is pre 1892 the second with England is the later post 1892. country was required after 1892.the wedge grind will probably be the best shaver when honed properly

Crow, You might try using the search box here at SRP to look for info on Thistle razors. I think I remember someone here saying they were great shavers made from very good steel.