...or this one.
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Not as fancy but it's a commemorative razor of the "Know Nothing Movement" and possibly the only one in existence.
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...or this one.
Attachment 350801
Attachment 350802
Not as fancy but it's a commemorative razor of the "Know Nothing Movement" and possibly the only one in existence.
@PaulFLUS & @outback OK you two, seeing as how you are both heavily into the restoration of SR's and have a good selection and knowledge of Wade & Butcher SR's! Can you give me some idea of what I can or should expect to pay for a NICE example of a known blade that could be seen as a bit of a prize or special!?! Not looking for anything over 8/8" as I don't think I could handle that size on my face plus I know BIGGER blades come with a BIGGER price!?!
Again I appreciate price will be a rough guide but it will give me something to work with ie how long I have to be nice to the wife for!?!
That's a loaded question.:rofl2:
Myself, I buy as cheap as possible. Why I took up restoration. The cost of vintage razors can get crazy, when their NOS or very pristine. So restored razors cost less, and those that can be restored and in need of, cost even less.
Typically we say....see what that type of razor has been going for, online. "Strazors"
is a good place to check certain razors by brand.
Forum rules dictate talking prices and evaluation, here. But gems can be found, on the cheap. I was lucky enough to come across a bunch of real old collectables, once. Took a gamble and offered him &150 for all, and he accepted. Most will fetch way more than 150$ each, after restoration.
Actually got a PM offer for $250 for one of them, not restored. So don't be hastey on your decision. Shop a bit, there's one, or a few, with your name on them. Ask the guys that restore professionally, what they charge, and calculate it into your cost for the razor. Mind that u stay with a wedge grind. They offer enough steel to make it all happen, properly.
@outback Damn right it was a loaded question! :roflmao
Due to my lack of knowledge and experience in what to look for in a SR that would need restoration work I think I will be looking for a FINISHED RESTORED blade, which obviously means the extra Bucks being spent. But the safer option for me anyway!?!....
Still working on my upper body strength so I can get PaulFLUS in a decent arm lock and press him for submission, the guy's got way too many SR's!?! :rofl2::roflmao:rofl2:
You can look at sold items on ebay. That will tell you what they actually sell for, not what some crazy person is asking. Here's a good example:
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That's an actual sale. Now, it also looks to be 9/8 which, as you noted, means more money. A similar one (not as.nice) that was 7/8 sold for $51. I was really surprised that one didn't go for more but...:shrug:... that's the market.
This is what I tell people about cars and guitars but it also applies to razors among other things: Wait for what you want and be ready to buy when it becomes available but be ready to let it go of it is too much or not what you want. There will always be others. There are also some other important considerations.
Know what you want. Know what is good and what is bad. Know what it's worth. Know how much you want to spend and have the money ready.
It can become a sickness. I'd say both of us have a runny nose, compared to some guys, here. Sharpton, practically has a museum worth of goodies, from lather machines, barber chairs, razors, brushes, strops, u name it. It's incredibly awesome.
Here's a updated pic of just my shave ready, rotation of whisker wipers.
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Just the sniffles, really. There's still a drawer full to do, yet. :rofl2:
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I think mine qualifies as a runny nose.
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Stones and restoration stuff in the large drawers (I must have rocks in my head as many stones as I have and it is still nothing compared to some guys). Razors in the small drawers.
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That's just the rotation stuff...most of it anyway... The in progress stuff is further down in the small drawers.
Edit: oh yeah, and the newly acquired H Böker & Co Extra Hollow Ground 7 day set in ivory on the top.
A word about collectors. Actually, most of us aren't "collectors" in the strictest sense since, most of us if not all, actually use our razors. Most textbook "collectors," don't use them, they display and try to preserve them.
But, that aside, speaking of us who buy and use straight razors in mass quantities. The reason why we can do this is that straights were in mass production for hundreds of years. Also, each individual razor, if cared for properly will last hundreds of years. I mentioned guitars earlier. How many guitars from the 1700s do you think are still around in usable condition? Few if any would be the answer. Concerning cars, there are none. How many strights from the 1700s do you think are still around in usable condition? Hundreds if not more.
That is why I say not to jump too quickly. You have time (they last centuries and there's literally millions of them) and to many folks they're old junk or they just don't know what they are worth to people like us.
@outback & @PaulFLUS WOW!!! You BOTH have VERY impressive collections! My jaw literally hit the floor and bounced when I saw your photos!!! I would be happy for with just ONE Draw full! How the hell do you two decide which razor to use on the day!?! I doubt I would have enough whisker growing life left in me to work my way through your collections!?!....Well done guys and I take my hat off to you both not only for your dedication but also you restoration skills, I am in awe!!!
Your just new to the game mt friend. Most of us have a few razors...
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And rotate through them. But with some of us it can take a few years to rotate through them. I've finally worked my way through my list so that no razor was shaved with no latter than 2019. And if I was to guess I'd say most of us use Spreadsheets and or computer lists to keep track. See, its just a little sickness that may come upon you in the near future if you hang around these parts. :rofl2:
Yep, ya find one that catches your eye, gotta have it. Then another comes along that even more appealing. Then there's the deal, the deal of the century, and the the search for a holy grail. Take a torch with ya, it gets real dark, in that hole. :rofl2:
“Beware the Jabberwock, my son!
The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!"
Tis truly dark in the hole and many pitfalls and side passages. Of course there are the common and well known sicknesses: RAD (Razor Acquisition Disorder), SAD (Soap/Strop Acquisition Disorder), HAD (Hone Acquisition Disorder) ...you get the picture. But there are also peripheral illnesses. For example: an offshoot illness of HAD occurs when you walk by a rock garden and say to yourself, "hmmm. I'll bet I could hone a razor on that." And believe it or not you will find yourself begging or even...commendeering rocks to flatten, smooth and hone on...hand to God.
That my friend is when you know you are helplessly, hopelessly lost down the rabbit hole
Hey, there are people who obsess about Pez dispensers and you can’t even shave with them.
https://www.freep.com/story/life/201...sers/78995712/
I started by honing knives, on rocks I'd pick up off the ground, before I even knew about wet or oil stones. Until my dad seen what I was doing, and passed one down he had in our barn. I wouldn't say I'm that far in the hole, but I did recently poke my head around the corner, when I came across that decorative garden with all the chunks of slate in it. :nj
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Not quite a finisher, but with some laps on a pasted strop, it's not bad. :shrug:
Oh no I've seen 'em. When he says "mortgage the house" that's probably life experience.
That still doesn't seem odd to me though. It's those "weirdos," who collect other stuff. That's what I mean. They probably think we are the weirdos. Your own obsession is okay though.
That guy had Pez Dispensers but I didn't see stacks of the candy. He only has half a collection. LOL.
That's worse than having razors but no soap
keep it quiet.......But i have heard tell of a guy that KEEPS Soap in a GLASS dome and awards them MEDALS!?!....Guess that falls under being a SAP (Soap Addicted Person)!?! :roflmao
And as for you Guys Showing me all your Razor collections and pictures of SMOOTH stones then the mention of Soap here and there! I feel like I've wandered into some perverted Chat Room and I am being GROOMED!?!?!?! :hmmm: .........(Damn! it's working too!?!) Not sure WHO needs help more??? All i know is that i feel DIRTY and VIOLATED!!! :dropjaw:
@PaulFLUS I took your advice with regards to SOAP! I treated myself to Bowl of MITCHELL'S WOOL FAT and just had my 1st. shave using this soap. And I can honestly say it made the shave a more enjoyable experience! Which surprised me somewhat as i didn't think soap would make THAT much difference!?! The two main things i noticed from my usual soap used (Saponificio Varesino) was that it was creamier and the razor seemed to glide better. but the BIG noticeable difference is afterwards, my face DIDN'T feel dry and tight!!! So RESULT, now have a NEW favourite soap! Thanks for the heads up on this :rock: