Johan Engstrom Medals 1876 & 78

I picked this razor up off of Ebay a little over a week ago and it arrived in my possession on Friday, just in time to put it through its paces on Saturday. To be clear, I have no buyer's remorse here, I bought it because something about it spoke to me and I knew it had some flaws that I was willing to live with. My Saturday shave was very good and I honestly love the way it shaves and feels in my hand. All-in-all the fact that I've found that I really like a 6/8 with a gentle smile and the razor itself gives me satisfaction.

That said, I'm going to post some pics. The spine certainly has some hone wear and at first glance it looks like it is toe-heavy but the more I looked at it, prior to bidding, the more I decided that it was simply a function of the design. The rest is simply the scars that a "user grade" razor of this age usually exhibits.

Attachment 255201Attachment 255202Attachment 255203

So, to be clear, I have no remorse about my buy as I like the way it shaves and I've learned a few things. Did I buy a decent razor (assuming I'm happy with the price) or am I a tyro who got rooked, despite my efforts to educate myself?

I'll apologize for the quality of the pictures in advance. I didn't have a chance to take any over the weekend when the lighting was better and in my impatience I wanted to get pictures posted sooner rather than later.

It is unlikely you will find a poor vintage razor from Sweden. I am willing to bet that one has many many years of top notch service left in it. I have had some great Engstrom shaves. Of course if you picked it up for what you feel was a bargain then that just makes the shaves a little sweeter

I won't qualify what I paid as a "bargain" but I'll say that I'm very happy with my purchase. I'll have to get a few better pics together in the near future and get some opinions on a restore. I'll freely admit that part of what drew me to straight razors was doing some restoration work and while I don't want this one to be my first I'm already thinking about what I eventually want to do with it.

Blade has an unusual shape for an Engström. It reminds me more of a Sheffield blade. I guess it is an early Engström, that might explain its high price.

I wouldn't call it a high price either, just a touch over my usual, rather modest $40, limit. The shape is part of what drew me to the razor and I really like the way it shaves. Being my first experience with Swedish steel as well as a 6/8 blade I'm very happy with pushing my normal limits a little. In all honesty I consider my "limit" more of a guideline and the same night I went considerably higher on another blade, which I subsequently lost out on.

With the joy I've found in this one I'm more than a little tempted to go looking for one of its brothers. What I do know is that this one won't be leaving my collection without a very good reason!