Does this brand ring a bell with anyone? Know where i can find some information? It was made in Germany, I do know that. Found it at antique store and wanting to get information so I can determine if this is a good deal or not.
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Does this brand ring a bell with anyone? Know where i can find some information? It was made in Germany, I do know that. Found it at antique store and wanting to get information so I can determine if this is a good deal or not.
There are two razors named Gold Bug that I am aware of, one German and one American. The German one is stamped Witte, and the American one is stamped SR Droescher (although some Droeschers also came from Germany).
According to Uniclectica, A. Witte Cutlery is listed as being in New York, but the Witte Razors I've seen are all stamped Germany, so perhaps Witte was really an importer. They are listed as operating between 1880 - 1930. Here's a link to the SRP wiki entry for the Witte Gold Bug.
The SR Droescher Gold Bug is an American Razor, made sometime in the 1891 - 1924 time frame. The SRP wiki link to the Droescher Gold Bug is here. Droescher made some razors in the USA, and apparently imported some others from Solingen, Germany.
Both the Witte and Droescher razors have good reputations as shavers. The Droescher I linked to in the Wiki is mine, so I can vouch for it being a very good shaver. ;)
I don't know about a Black Diamond, but Droescher also sold a Blue Diamond, which is a Solingen razor. The SRP wiki link to it is here.
Hope this helps. Can you take any pictures of the razors and post them? Then we could know for sure. Particularly close-ups of the tang stampings showing the maker info. That may not be practical if you haven't bought them yet.
there is 2 different maker out there. they both good razor's . GL
Would $33 USD be fair, a great deal or a ripoff?
From what I recall, it looks a LOT like this: Droescher, S R "Gold Bug" 7/8 - Straight Razor Place Wiki
I saw in antique shop. Has a few tiny spots that could probably wipe right off the blade with some decent cleaner/ polish. Other than that, the finish and scales and all in all, seems fine.
One more company.
Trademark "Gold Bug" was used by Crown Razor Co., Germany, 1900 - 1930.
Thanks, I didn't know that. Crown made great razors too, so if it's any of these three makers it's a winner.Quote:
Originally Posted by manah
Rick, the price you listed above sounds good for just about any vintage German or American razor that isn't broken, pitted, or otherwise ruined. Since you feel like it may be like the Droescher Gold Bug listed in the wiki, here's another somewhat better picture of that same razor. The tang of this Gold Bug razor still has the gold wash intact. Another thing I note about this razor is that it was one of the easiest to hone into top shape of any that I've ever tried:Quote:
Originally Posted by rickboone
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j2...ugAdjusted.jpg
If it were worth $100 and I could get it for that $32 price, I'd do it. But, I'm going to have to send this to one of the guys here to get honed, so I think I'm just going to get one that is truly shave ready out of the classifieds. Albeit, this may not need it, but I would never know.
Whoa
Don't pass on the G-bug if it is in good shape, look at the pic above see the spike point??? If the one you are looking at has a perfect point like that buy it I'll sharpen it for you for free they are so easy to sharpen.... These are a top line shaver they take a super sharp edge and hold it and really it doesn't matter if it is the Witte or the SRD they both shave.. PM me if you have questions...
Dude, why does the market value of something matter if you're going to use it to shave with??? $32 is a great price for a razor, and adding honing will still put you ahead of a nice razor from the classifieds... at least if you want something as nice as you've described.
Well, if you'll do it free...that changes a few things. I need to get the other one redone. And, I guess being I know I was going to be in my other one about $65ish I didn't want to spend $30+$30 or so for honing when I could buy one in classifieds for $40, ready to go.
That was my reasoning. Now, you have me considering otherwise. Damn, thought I was going to save some money. lol.
Quote:
Originally Posted by gssixgun
Because, and I may be wrong. If I get a shave ready from classifieds, I don't need to hone it. I have seen them for around $40, some less.Quote:
Originally Posted by BKratchmer
Now, if I spend $32, I have never used a Straight, so honing myself is out. Anyway, my math theory was, I'd be in it $55-60 or more after sending it out. So, would come out cheaper with classifieds.
Likely now, I will pick the razor up. Thanks all for setting me straight on the straight.
And, if you check eBite, you will find that most Gold Bugs are worth their weight in, well, gold bugs...
Quote:
Originally Posted by BKratchmer
who bite? what's that?
That can be said of toilet paper too! <LOL>:rofl2:Quote:
Originally Posted by FatboySlim
That's a great razor.
So...I got it. Woot woot. The box it game in says Gold Bug. Maybe it is the wrong box?
I got pics coming, don't worry.
On the razor, one side says well, it doesn't say anything, it reads, well, it don't have eyes so it can't read...it is written "Black Diamond"
The other side:
C.M. Harris
Scranton, PA
Made in Germany
So..what's all that tell you? Anything? :)
It's a little dirtier than I thought. Needs a good cleaning. There's gunk in between the scales.
Okay, so read this or I'll do this: :gwh:
On one side of the razor, on the scales, there's some numbers and such that are engraved. Like a tally or date of some sort?
It has:
518HDE with a strike through it. (I think that's my license plate number)
H is under that
8/2/34 is next struck through
H again
then 8/12/3
I'm wondering if these are dates the razor was honed? Or something?
Maybe the H is for Honed?
This make sense to anyone? :mace:
Also, throwing one in of the Gillette I picked up. Has a wee bit of plating loss on the head, not enough to effect performance I wouldn't think. I shined it up some.
Mismatched box. That razor has nothing to do with Gold Bug. A very very common situation when you buy vintage razors, the box is not related to the razor.
It appears to have pitting on the edge which may or may not yield a problem after honing.
Chris L
Well, that's just grand. I knew I should've just bought from the classifieds here.
Know anything about this brand? Worth a crap?
Vintage razors made in Germany are some of my preferred razors to shave with in general. Others agree. The proof of course is in the shave. Enjoy the journey!
Chris L
This is my razor: Vintage Black Diamond German Straight Razor CM Harris
Not much information there and they want you to sign up to tell you anything else. :matrix:
Now that you've purchased the razor are you wondering whether or not it's even worth spending the money to send that razor to someone who offers honing services here?
Forgive me, sometimes I'm a bit slow, but I've been following your thread and I'm not sure now that you've purchased this razor, what your desire is or what you're looking for at this point.
Chris L
Not slow at all, that's pretty much it.
Yes, wondering if worth the money really. It will only be used as a shaver for my personal use.
I would recommend looking in the vendor section (different from the classifieds) and locate a few members that offer honing services. Then, click on their user name and send them a private message. To make it helpful for them, you should open your original post about this, copy and paste the URL and make reference to it in the PM. That way they can view the razor and I'm sure they would tell you what the total cost would be if they'd hone it for you. Say you spend another $30 for honing/shipping. IMO it's worth trying. Otherwise you have an unhoned razor sitting on a shelf.
You can have the best honemeister in the world, but if the edge has pitting that is significant and your face is sensitive enough to notice and not like it, it wouldn't be the fault of the person honing the razor.
I'm not saying your razor has pitting on the edge. It's impossible to tell from just a picture, but based on the picture, it would be a possibility.
Chris L
Chris, that is precisely my plan. I have another shaver that'll get done by a member here when funds permit. It was my grandfather's so I cannot put a value on that at all. I'll never part with it and I'll pass it on to one of my boys.
THIS razor was bought to learn on. I have never stropped nor shaved with a straight. I did not want to ruin Grandpa's razor.
My theory/ thinking was this....
Look in the classifieds and find a razor ready to go (shave ready). I've seen them there average low end prices of about $45.
So, with that, I got this razor for $33. Now, I have to send it out to get it honed and all for say $30 w/ shipping and all. I'm into a razor over $60 when I could've gotten one from classifieds for just $45.
That's my thinking and I could be WAYY off base. I suppose $15 is nothing to cry about with a lifetime investment. And, truth be told, I'll buy another from the classifieds before it is over with.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ChrisL
Oh,you'll probably buy a lot more than that,before you're done.Once that RAD (razor acquisition disorder)sets in,you might end up with many.......FWIW I think that Black Diamond might make a real good one after one of these pros get done with it.
Don't sweat the $15 over from what you originally intended. I can say that I've paid too much on some razors but then I've also gotten some killer deals on some as well. The razors I overpaid on were admittedly when I was starting out, had almost zero knowledge and instead had truckloads of overzealous excitement which bit me in the end.
Put it in the past and look to the future I say. Enjoy!
Chris L
Thanks, man. Good words.Quote:
Originally Posted by aroliver59
I appreciate this and look forward to many good shaves. I don't think it's going to be a bad razor by any means.Quote:
Originally Posted by ChrisL
Rick your original plan of buying a shave-ready razor from the classifieds here was a good one, and is advice repeated here often with good reason. Had I paid more attention and realized that you're new, I would've advised against buying from an antique store. Antique stores are great for picking up new finds to work on once you already have a solid shave-ready razor, but are not the place to go for your first razor. You need a shave ready razor to start off with.
If you're interested, I'd be willing to help you out. PM me your mailing address, and I'll send you the Wade & Butcher pictured below for free this weekend. It's 5/8ths square point with bamboo-styled celluloid scales. No rust, pitting, stains, warping, or other issues, tight pins and it opens and closes perfectly. I'm no honemeister, but am a competent honer, and it will come to you sterilized, stropped, and shave ready.
If you like it, it's yours. If you decide after honestly trying for some time that straights aren't for you, give it to another new person on the forum. You're out nothing, and worst case help out another forum member. People have been very helpful to me on this forum.
You're not obligated at all. I'm not otherwise giving away or selling the razor to anybody. But PM me if you decide you're interested.
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j2.../WB_Bamboo.jpg
Quote:
Originally Posted by FatboySlim
What kind/brand of hone is this? I just received a Wostenholm Washington Works IXL and the seller threw in an old, unmarked hone that looks remarkably similar to this one. Mine is 7" by 1 7/8", fairly badly cupped on the light colored side, and has some gouges out of the dark side. Didn't know if it would be worth my time to go buy a bunch of sandpaper and spend a weekend grinding on it or not.
Thanks.
Oh, I'm new to the forum, hi. :)
Congratulations on your new acquisitions. That will be a Belgian Coticule my friend. Definitely worth the time and effort to lap to a usable state.Quote:
Originally Posted by auk1124
See www.coticule.be/ for stacks of great info about your new hone.
Cheers
Mykel
Thank you sir. I guess even a blind hog can find an acorn every once in a while.:)
Quote:
Originally Posted by MykelDR