Thread: How many SRs do you currently own?

Originally Posted by Obie

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.

Hearing you say that makes me want to rethink my latest idea of selling a few of my customs to get down to the 4 I use all the time, instead of 10 that look great but I don't use that much. I would miss them if they weren't in the safe. Better think on it some more, thanks Obie. Tc

Originally Posted by vileru

Do you know what the inscription says?

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.

Here is quote from the person that had it translated by his connection in Japan:

The face side says:
"Ueshima tetstu wo motte kore wo tsukuru. Iwasaki Kousuke" -With Ueshima iron this was made. Iwasaki Kousuke
Back side says:
"Zoutei Ueshima Daisuke" - Gift Ueshima Daisuke
Back of tang:
"Ueshima Kaimen Tetsu" -Ueshima Sponge Iron

My translator also said: "Its in super old Japanese (and Japanese writing), so my translation may not be exact, but I asked a few people to make sure"
So the razor was made during the time Kousuke Iwasaki was the head of the business. The other interesting fact is that the steel used for those razors translates as Sponge Iron

Originally Posted by vileru

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...

I wish they had those prices today

When I was selling Tosukes around 15 years ago the selling price in Japan was around $80.

Was down to 10 razors this winter, but have been indulging as of late. My new Revisor that's on the way will be bring me up to 14.

Most of my razors are Solingen full hollows in 6/8 or wider.

Originally Posted by tcrideshd

Hearing you say that makes me want to rethink my latest idea of selling a few of my customs to get down to the 4 I use all the time, instead of 10 that look great but I don't use that much. I would miss them if they weren't in the safe. Better think on it some more, thanks Obie. Tc

TC,
Hold on to the customs. I really regret selling mine, although at the time I had no choice, because the razors felt too heavy for my arthritic hands. My hands are much better now. I am thinking of buying several customs, provided some funds come in, including Max Sprecher, Bob Allman, Joe Harner, Mastro Levi, Robert Williams, and Snail Forge from Bruno. Ah yes . . . when funds knock at my door.

Originally Posted by Obie

TC,
Hold on to the customs. I really regret selling mine, although at the time I had no choice, because the razors felt too heavy for my arthritic hands. My hands are much better now. I am thinking of buying several customs, provided some funds come in, including Max Sprecher, Bob Allman, Joe Harner, Mastro Levi, Robert Williams, and Snail Forge from Bruno. Ah yes . . . when funds knock at my door.

A Max Sprecher has been needling my RAD brain for the better part of 3 years, literally since a couple of weeks after I joined....and if when I go for one, it will be a Max custom....he does some absolutely stunning work IMO.

Originally Posted by Phrank

A Max Sprecher has been needling my RAD brain for the better part of 3 years, literally since a couple of weeks after I joined....and if when I go for one, it will be a Max custom....he does some absolutely stunning work IMO.

Phrank,
Yes, Max's razors are majestic. I loved mine, a 7/8 Spanish point, and miss it.

Originally Posted by sharptonn

Don't go there........ It never ends!

Attachment 239703

Great picture! Here's Blind Willie McTell's "Razor Ball" to go with it...
http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkX8Y1Dmiuo