Thread: is this a good deal for razors?

If you can email him ask for better pics. Close-ups of each one. Im new to SR but this 8s what id do. If he wont then pass. Good luck.

Lion Brand by Yankee Cutlery, E. Weck & Co NY, Torrey Razor Worcester Mass green handle, Geneva Cutlery, Geneva NY, John C Cockwill Sheffield, brown celluloid handled razor, and 5 cases, $90 for all



So, when looking at lots, I check the brand name razors, and look at the condition of those first. In this case, you have a Torrey, Genco and the Cockwill, Sheffield, that I would be interested in.

If the condition of those or even one, was equal to the asking price, then perhaps consider the purchase.

I upload the photos to a photo editor and enlarge the photos and examine each razor looking for flaws. In this lot, there are only 2 razors that look promising, the two in the middle and I could not identify the brands. The first two of each row, probably the Torrey and Genco are junk.

So, in this case, I would make my decision, based on the condition of those two razors alone, the bottom one which is probably the Sheffield.

Additionally, the first razor in the second row, is consistent with celluloid used by Geneva Cutlery and they are very prone to Cell Rot, off gassing. If so, that may be why it is so badly chipped, and, more importantly if stored together, could have spread to the collection. That, also would affect my estimate of value.

Keep in mind that at the height of Straight Razor production, the early 1900’s, Genco was advertising production of 6,000 razor per week and they were, one of hundreds of manufactures in the US, not to mention the rest of the world.

There are still many razors in excellent condition, in the wild and no need to jump at a purchase. Next week there will be even more for sale.

Hey Thought I Would Chime In Here!!! Check Sellers Other Listing Or His Feedback,,, Never Buy From A Seller That Sells Straights Individually,,,, They Are Unloading There No Sales In Lots!!!! Really Hope This Helps Ya In Your Decision!!!!!!!!!!!!Ty

Depends on your skill with restoration really. I usually set a personal limit on ebay vintage blades of $15-$20. So for me it would only be worth it if I could turn all 5 of those straights into shavers. I don't use Shavettes, so the odd one out would likely go straight to the round file. 4 of the 5 I'm confident I could get shaving, but the one with the chips in the blade looks too rough - another candidate for the round file.

Then the question becomes, is it worth the time and money spent to get those 4 blades polished and in shaving form. At the cost to acquire them (more than I personally alot myself on an ebay find to begin with) I'm going to wager you can find 4 blades in better condition and have them up and shaving in a fraction of the time with a fraction of the effort. Of the last 3 I bought, 2 were cleaned up in less than 15 minutes with some 1K sand paper and CrOx on a cloth Dremel polishing pad, then bevels set and honed up in under an hour each. 3rd one needs scales, and I just haven't felt up to hunting down the set I bought for it, filing, forming, polishing, and pinning them up.