Thread: Razor Value

You put that rusty frameback on ebay with some good photos and the scale collectors will pay a premium for the hunting scene scrimshawed on the ivory. They don't shave with them so the integrity of the blade isn't as important to them as the scales.

In Collecting Straight Razors by Robert Doyle he says that it is getting harder to find double coffins with the original razors in them. That was published in 1980 so being pre internet things may have changed. If I found those I would buy them for sure.

Good gawd those are high prices.

Someone here said it before in another post but I try to never go any higher than $35-$40 dollars on a razor that's going to take a good deal of time to bring back to life.

I was even able to grab a 7/8 W&B celebrated on Ebay for $45 a month ago, patience is the only requisite.

If a razor needs almost no work I'll pay more but you need to judge that personally obviously. There are always very good deals in the classifieds here so if I decide to buy a project it needs to be in the inexpensive category, too many better restorers out there than I.

The Frameback is overpriced the scales are broken on the back just over the pin more interested in the razor than the scales, love Framebacks
Malcolm
Frameback fancier

On the JR set: they are great! Ask if the guy will take $100 for the pair and if so, buy them. If not, buy them anyway. Scales look like they are probably Ivory if they aren't any kind of plastic/fake material- don't take my word for it though. On second thought- ask if the guy would take $90 so if he comes back with a price he might say $100.

Just my observation on the subject of antique shop pricing. I personally really enjoy the hunt, both to find the razors and to find the antique shop where the razors are hidden. Yes, hidden. I have found at least in this area that some antique dealers kinda know what they have in razors and mark the prices up without regard to the work needed to restore. Then there are other shops that hide the razors in a box and have no idea what they have. At least it seems that way based on razors being priced in the $12-$15 range and worth $20-$50 after cleaning and honing. I have my eye on a W&B Wedge with engraved blade "Patriot or Patriotic. Appears to be quit old judging by the scale style which is wood and very flat. I estimate 1850-1870s. Unfortunately the blade needs a good honing to remove edge divots and a really good cleaning. Also unfortunately the asking price is $160. This one in another out of the way shop could go for considerably less.

So the pricing IMHO at the antique shops is largely dependant of the shop owners knowledge of his inventory and the location of the shop.

Happy & successful hunting!!!!

Originally Posted by mkevenson

Also unfortunately the asking price is $160. This one in another out of the way shop could go for considerably less.

So the pricing IMHO at the antique shops is largely dependant of the shop owners knowledge of his inventory and the location of the shop.

Happy & successful hunting!!!!

Sounds like an antique shop owner that is familiar with ebay. A lot of them have an unrealistic view of what razors are worth. A case of a little knowledge being a dangerous thing.