Printable View
Jiminy Cricket!!!
Some of those numbers are staggering.
I'm down to around 150 from 230. Probably drop lower in the next few months but plan on an extensive and maintained collection. Maintaining a giant collection though seems like a whole lot of work..
Have been into SR for about 4yrs.
Favorite? Impossible.
That said, lately I've been noticing little details of craftsmanship from obscure manufacturers. There are so many razors that go unnoticed by those focusing on the obvious.
Over the last 1.5 year I've collected and honed about 30 razors, all shave ready in excellent condition , and a 7 day set, very good condition, as a restoration project for next winter.
I would like to slowly expand the number of razors, having enough time to keep the collection well maintained. They're all my babies :-)
Under 20 for me. Mainly Japanese as I am huge fan of Japanese rzors
My "Crown Jewels" are two Western Iwasaki Tamahagane and Western Swedish Iwasaki with special engraved scales.
From here I'll be getting several customs as well as several more Japanese that are on the HOF list for me.
Pics my friend.Quote:
Originally Posted by mainaman
I don't know how many have come and gone over the past 9 years, but at present I have approximately 145 (like any normal person) :rolleyes: that I can find to count. I actually started collecting straights, and shaving with them in the mid 1980s, but gave up shaving with them after a few months, but continued collecting a bit.
In 2006 I put a few Belgian coticules, and a couple of dozen Sheffields & Solingens on ebay. I asked a friend to critique my ebay listings and he saw the razors and was intrigued with them. So he began lurking in shaving forums. I (regrettably) sold all that stuff, and then because of that friend finding the forums, became intrigued myself and got back into the sport. The rest is history. :shrug:
My current favorite Snailforge Predator by Bruno ;
Attachment 239772
Those two no longer in my possession, one Swedish steel the other TamahaganeQuote:
Originally Posted by Rami
http://straightrazorpalace.com/show-...ern-house.html
This one is in the collection
http://straightrazorpalace.com/custo...m-restore.html
The second one is in the restored pile pile waiting for etch to reveal the hamon and scales
Swedish steel with inscription on the scales
http://i1020.photobucket.com/albums/...psgtw8jthy.jpg
http://i1020.photobucket.com/albums/...psscdtw1w0.jpg
I started about 5 years ago out of necessity, then didn't shave and only used a bear trimmer for 3 years, then a shavette. Until this past december I only had 2. Now I have 10 or 12, currently out at the bar. They are all different makes and grinds, except my morley's which I want one of each style they made. My favorite is my W.R Cas & sons my father bought me over 15 years ago. Reminds me of all the great times we spent riding his harley around the country.
Do you know what the inscription says?Quote:
Originally Posted by mainaman
The kanji that says 上島大助 is someone's name, most likely Daisuke Ueshima (you often can't know the correct way to read a Japanese person's name until they tell you the correct way; for instance, 上島 is most commonly read as "Ueshima", but can be read as Uejima, Uwashima, Uwajima, Kamishima... and so on).
On the same side of the scales it says 贈呈, which means that it's a gift that was given with great ceremony.
I can't make out the kanji on the other side, but it seems to be the name of the person who gave the gift and either a message or affiliation. However, I can make out the last name, which is also Ueshima. Nevertheless, it's a common last name, and therefore not conclusive evidence of blood relation.
In any event, it looks like the receiver of the gift took excellent care of it. The gift must have been well received.
Earlier today I was looking at an old Iwasaki catalog from 1963. ¥3,500 for a tamahagane Western, ¥600 for a tamahagane kamisori (historical aside: Western straights had/have a better reputation for craftsmanship in Japan because of the expertise and labor needed to grind and finish Western straights). Adjusted for inflation, that's roughly equivalent to USD $160 and $30, respectively, today. If only I had a time machine...
Anyway, thank you for sharing such an interesting razor. Its hidden history is certainly intriguing.
I was down to under the 60 a month ago, nearing the 70 again.
Gentlemen,
I have reduced my stash to 20 razors, mostly Solingen NOS brands, including Puma, Globusmen and Tuckmar, four current production blades, a pair of Wade & Butcher lovelies in ivory, and three Japanese. All the razors are shave ready, and used in rotation. Eventually I plan to stay around 12.
My oldest and sweetest razor is a 3/4 hollow Le Grelot. I no longer have my custom razors, but I wish I did.
