Thread: Hard to walk away from.

When all is said and done, no matter what you do with the scales, that is a beautiful Wade & Butcher. After a light restoration and honing it will be a fantastic shaver that will last a lifetime.
Congratulations and enjoy!

Pete <:-}

That's a very nice W&B, and I think even at the original price, given the unique shape of the blade, you would be a winner, if you got it lower, even better.

A 1" W&B Celebrated Hollow Ground, blade not in as good shape as your one IMO, just went on eBay for $162 USD plus shipping - you scored IMO - congrats!

I learned something interesting from my father-in-law who was an antique dealer of sorts. He would price stuff up really high if he thought it was worth something. If one or two people stopped to look at it and made any kind of offer, he would often jack the price up. I asked why and he thought that there must be a market for that item or they wouldn't have stopped nor would they have made an offer. He said more often than not, they would end up ultimately purchasing the item in the next month or two at his original price.

The other interesting part was when I would ask about some of his outrageous prices, he allowed that if he sold everything, he would not need to come to the flea markets and my mother-in-law would have him doing chores at home. And some of the items were real conversation starters which would cause people to stop when they were walking by and they would end up buying something else. So, he always made sure that he had a trailer load coming home so he could meet up with his flea market buddies the next month and have a few beers and steaks on the campfire.

Bottom line is that with these guys, it's not always about the money. In his case it was talking to new people and the camaraderie with the fellow vendors.

I've walked away from many high priced razors. If they won't work with you especially if you point out flaws, they don't really want to sell.

Originally Posted by Mrchick

I actually talked him down to $80.00. I felt $125.00 was way too high and pointed out the flaws. They had it marked "firm" but knocked off almost 40% after I talked to them. I've picked up some great razors in antique shops and usually do better than eBay prices. If they won't budge on a high price, I walk away.

I very seldom haggle price. I have got a fair amount of things by saying no thank you and then they offer a lower price.

I got a razor a couple of weeks ago that started at $30 and after starting to put it back in the case the second time agreed to $20.

I like mismatched scales like in the original post. I like to imagine what happened to it and the person that was able to do a good {maybe not perfect} job of repairing his tool.

I'm having a hard time deciding what to do with the scales. I agree about it making me consider the history. I'll have to think about it some more.

Originally Posted by Mrchick

I'm having a hard time deciding what to do with the scales. I agree about it making me consider the history. I'll have to think about it some more.

How about hone it up and play with it as is for now. Then keep an eye out for a trashed blade for $5 that the scales would look great on this one.

That would be at least a good excuse to hunt around!

O.K. This seems to be a disease a lot of Antique Dealers have. At least this fellow had the common sense to let it go after understanding, the one I am after can't understand beyond "old"!

When I started in straight's & had no clue I bought some junk. I have become a better buyer with the help of this forum & I now just buy what I think I can restore & make a good shaver.
I don't really worry about fancy & never have. I try & restore razors to the way they were new if I can. I have a blade very close to the one the OP has but with a barbers notch & no scales I need more skill in making scales & would love to meet up with anyone who is good at making them. I have always been a metal worker & wood & other materials kind of scare me.
I don't believe most antique dealers think about their items being used for what they were made to do & most of their customers don't either. We are a very small part of their customer base & to them & most of their buyers old is good & worth big bucks.

Slawman

Well. I made a decision and sent the razor to @Kevin78 for a restoration. I had seen his work elsewhere and liked what I saw. He did two razors for me. Here is the finished work on this one. I am very pleased!