Thread: Value?

Folks,

I've got a set of straight razors that belonged to my great grandfather. They've been collecting dust on my desk for a while, and it occurred to me that they might be worth something. Thought I'd see what the experts around here have to say...

They're in a rather dilapidated leather case bearing my ggf's initials. Once opened, you find 7 razors, each bearing the name of a day of the week on the spine. There's a red satin lining to the roof of the box bearing the name Joseph Rodgers & Sons - Cutlers to Her Majesty. Interestingly, the razors themselves say "Cutlers to Their Majesties" not "Her Majesty."

Anyway, I'm curious whether these are a "nice keepsake" or the razor equivalent of a Mickey Mantle signed baseball or something...

Thanks,
-Benha

We need pictures of some kind in order to eventually give some info about the history of the blades.

As a side note, Joseph Rodgers & Sons are excellent razors and very well known.

welcome to srp,

we don't do appraisals here, but these are nice razors.
joseph rodgers was one of the largest manufacturers, so they're probably not particularly rare.

they're probably still very useful, but if you don't have an interest in using them, they may still be a nice heirloom to keep.

they're in very good shape.

Welcome to SRP! Value comes in many forms. To me, being my ggf's razors would have great value. Value as a razor to shave with, a very good brand. Value as a collectible, seven days sets are great. If you are looking for a monetary value you should check EBay with the knowledge that prices fluctuate.

Hope you develop an interest in what they are and not what they are worth. These razors would be great to enter the world of straight razor shaving with! Read through the WIKI on this site for newbies and see where it takes you.

Good luck!

WELCOME TO SRP BENHA!!! It's great to have you here! Like Max said, pictures would be a big help, if you can get them. The real value is what you put on them. Being a family heirloom, to you they would be much more valuable than to me or someone else. Listen to Max and he will not steer you wrong. Hope to hear from you some more. If I were you, I would get them cleaned up and honed and use them as my rotation! That would be a trip, using the same razors my ggf used!

Originally Posted by benha

There's a red satin lining to the roof of the box bearing the name Joseph Rodgers & Sons - Cutlers to Her Majesty. Interestingly, the razors themselves say "Cutlers to Their Majesties" not "Her Majesty."

At the time the razor was made there could have been either a king or queen as monarch, and I'd guess that the title "Their Majesties" refers to both monarch and spouse at the time.

Originally Posted by commiecat

At the time the razor was made there could have been either a king or queen as monarch, and I'd guess that the title "Their Majesties" refers to both monarch and spouse at the time.

Victoria was a widow by the time those were manufactured. I'm not an expert but I maybe their majesties was out of respect and/or tradition in her case

Originally Posted by commiecat

At the time the razor was made there could have been either a king or queen as monarch, and [..]

About this topic see HERE.

Manah's post just says that between 1837 and 1901, they used "their Majesties" at some point. If the razor was made between 1840 and 1861 then Victoria would have been married and that would explain "their" -- which would also make sense if Manah's post was chronological. If it was after that then I suppose it would have been out of respect.

Or it could also be that they were cutlers to several different monarchs. So "their" would be the collective of rulers who previously used JR&S as royal cutlers.

There is a whole article on Wikipedia about royal titles and I'm royally confused after trying to read it.