Thread: When Razors Hunt YOU Down!

About two hours after starting my twelve hour work day at the bread factory, last night, a coworker dropped by my area before he clocked in.

Jim: "Hey! I got some razors at an auction today, and normal sell them on my table at gun shows. Then I remembered you're into 'em. So here, take a look at 'em & make me an offer. Didn't pay a whole lot, just make me a reasonable offer."

Me: " Uhhh... 'kay. Yeah, I'll let ya know."

Away he walked, and I had three SRs, in boxes, in my hot little hands! I inspected them, researched "sold" listings on the 'bay & likewise sources, and then researched each razor on here.

First was a Simmons Hardware - Barber's Pet. Not the correct box (Diamondine). The scales seemed to be original, but one had broken & been superglued at the wedge end. Oh, and the blade had one heck of a crack! Coworker didn't see that during the auction lol; my evaluation of it was "wall-hanger" quality. I knew from hanging out on here that it would have been a good shaver, if it weren't for the crack.

Next was a Shumate in a slightly mismatched box. The razor is a model # 256, & the box is for a # 012 (the printing has nearly faded away completely). The blade is developing rust, possibly the dreaded "devil's spit", but otherwise in decent shape. I doubt the scales are original, as the square point of the blade does not clear the wedge in the slightest. I fear they may be ordinary black celluloid; they are both warped inward to varying amounts, and the rust seems* more like cellrot rather than normal corrosion. *= In contradiction to the normal diagnosis of cellrot, most of the rust is where the scales do not cover the blade. This one was salvageable, but not without work.

Saving the best for last, was Craftsman Razor with matching box! The blade is the model etched with "Fine Chromized Steel", and a square/spike point with minimal-to-moderate hone wear. There are also a few minor spots of corrosion. The scales are the cracked ice style, with the "Craftsman" inlay. I am not 100% certain, but it is possible that the celluloid scales are in the beginning stages of degradation. The box has a bit of character/history, but is in far better shape than the other two.

For now, I only have pics of the Craftsman.














I offered him $20 for the Craftsman, and he didn't seem interested in putting up the effort to sell the other two at the gun shows. I gave him $30 because I didn't have change for a $10, and he is a coworker. Plus, I don't want the razors to "forget" how to find me when they are on the hunt for new owners !!!

Now... how do I explain this to SWMBO??

Excellent score! Sometimes I wonder if these blades seek us guys out as well. Almost like they want to be found and to shave again.

Post the others when you get a chance, would love to see them.

Nice work! The SWMBO shouldn't be too mad, you got them for a fair price.

While I have a few of you looking, I am curious about the blade metal. I figure it is foremost a marketing gimmick, but what makes it "Chromized"?? Is it chrome plated? Or a chrome alloy? A rather important detail, to me.

chrome alloy, polished to a super high shine to make it "look" plated. All too often destroyed by cell rot. Similar Sears in another thread/ =)

Originally Posted by Crawler

Now... how do I explain this to SWMBO??

Hey, what happens at work, stays at work! nice razor! remember a cracked razor makes a nice shorty!
!

Originally Posted by Magpie

chrome alloy, polished to a super high shine to make it "look" plated. All too often destroyed by cell rot. Similar Sears in another thread/ =)

Excellent! I was hoping it wouldn't be plated. Now I know it can be honed without fear of differing metal consistencies.

tintin: the crack on the Barber's Pet is located an inch or less from the heel. Once I get some pics, you'll understand why "shorty" is not an option . It might, however, turn into an experiment to save it via grinding off the heel....

sounds like a perfect candidate for a Kamisori then!

Got some pics of the Barber's Pet finally... might find time to take some of the Shumate, Sunday or Monday.












And what's with the "E" right under "Germany"?

Hehe... the Shumate had slipped my mind for a bit. Came across it while rummaging through my toolbag at work today, while my trainee attempted to show his capacity to do my bid.

I had barely touched it with the 800 grit paper before recalling that I hadn't taken any pics of it yet. So here are some "before" pictures.





This pic shows how poorly the current scales fit... I doubt they are original.


And they are severely warped. Anyone care to venture a guess on these being celluloid??








Thanks for looking!