Gentlemen,

Today I did something new. I went to the flea market. I was in a nearby town, walking around to clear my head, when I heard the town was having its annual flea market.

Several hours later I drove home with 12 straight and two double edge razors. The DE's are Gillettes, probably from the 1950s, one a Fat Boy, I believe. They both need major cleaning up, but everything on them seems to work.

The straight razors are the typical flea market and antique store razors in various forms of disrepair. I think there is hope for some of them with a good dose of refurbishing. This is what I ended up with:

1. 5/8" full hollow manufactured by the Crown Razor Co. The etching on the blade is clear, but the pivot pin is shot.
2. 3/8" with okay scales. Probably a barber razor. The blade is in a good shape. I can't make out the manufacturer.
3. 5/8" spike by Swanson & Swanson, Sheffield. Heavy hone marks. I think it has potential.
4. 5/8" barber notch by Geo Wostenholm & Sons, Sheffield, England. The blade needs work. The scales, I think, are white bone.
5. 4/8" spike by W. Autenrieth. It probably needs to be rescaled.
6. 3/8" with S.M.F, Solingen, Germany, on the shank. Scales are mock tortoise shell, scratched up, but passable.
7. 5/8" spike, Burrell Cutlery Co., Ellicotville, NY. Not bad shape. Pivot pin is loose. White bake light scales.
8. 3/8" spike. I can't make out the manufacturer. Scales and pins are okay, but the razor needs a good rehab.
9. 5/8" round point manufactured by Crown & Sword (crown and sword markings on the shank and embossed on the scales). It has potential
10. 4/8", King Midas, made by the King Razor Mafg. Co., Indiana, PA. The scales are patched up, but the scales are passable, and the pins tight.
11. 5/8" spike by Sosmo Mfg. Co., Germany. Needs work.
12. 5/8" spike by Mizzoo Mfg. Co. Needs work.

The prize I could have had was an old Boker with ivory scales. Hah! But when I opened the razor, there was a big chip in the middle of the blade.

I have no idea what I am going to do with these razors. I could try to work on them myself, but there are two problems with that. I would have to learn — do I have the time? Also, I have no tools. Or I could find an expert at SRP and have him work on them. For a fee, of course. In that case, will the overall cost be worth it? Or I could sell the whole lot as is.

What are your thoughts, gentlemen?

Regards,

Obie