Thread: Collector razors

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Mackie, if you see that Napoleon make sure it is stamped Bresnick on the reverse tang before you lay down the long green.

I've got a J & W Wragg Napoleon....... - any good?

I think collector's pieces are closely associated with something you yourself value. A rare 1800's piece is 'collectable' simply for its rarity but my collection is made up of several pieces that mean something to me - razors stamped by vendors from my home town (pretty rare too but not "collectable"), my 'signature' razors i.e. the Shakespeare Butlers of which I have er, a few, and corn and travelling razors - I just admire the workmanship on them.

So really you don't need to shell out boatloads of money to get a nice collection together - just try collecting ones that in some way appeal to you!

Originally Posted by blueprinciple

I've got a J & W Wragg Napoleon....... - any good?

It may be an excellent razor but the Napoleon that is sought after is the one that is a 'dubious duck'. IOW, it is one of those razors that has Bresnick stamped on the reverse tang with a couple of ducks. Here is what noted duck collector thebigspendur said about it.

I do the same thing. I have no money. I have gone to the flea market before with eight dollars in my pocket. I actually bought two razors that day for two dollars apeice. The guy said the razors were rusty and no good and he was selling the boxes. They cleaned up pretty nice. If I do not have the money I do not move on without asking for the persons phone number if I want the razor. This sure is great fun aint it. This is a great hobby for someone without much funds or someone with a lot of money. Either way we all have something in common. Thanks for all your help . You are a great bunch of guys.

Unless you have a good basic knowledge of the razor scene, it is not easy to pick collectibles for the sake of making a profit.

Collectability for the purpose of collecting something yourself is really a personal thing, and has no bearing on what the rest of us do. For example, I really dislike german razors. I honestly couldn't care less about dubl ducks, which are really popular around here.

For me, it's old (pre 1900) sheffield steel that I long for, though I am not much of a collector. However, the thing I have been wanting for a long time is a Mappin lancet point. Even if I had to restore it I would take it. Yet for you it could be something that you pass up if it is not in mint condition. We could look at the same razor and come to different conclusions. So it's all really depending on what takes your fancy.

The same applies to hones btw. Some people are willing to spend ludicrous amounts of cash for a yellow green escher despite the fact that you can have functional equivalents for much less. and I've seen a busted razor take a thousand or so dollars on ebay because it had fancy scales.

the eye of the beholder indeed.

If you find them inexpensively enough, you can almost never go wrong buying a heavy Sheffield wedge from any of the old makers. Of course the wider the blade the better.

I travel a fair amount in my state for business and I'm able to stop at antique stores when time permits. My Dad travels as well. He had no interest in straight razors, however, he stops from time to time at antique stores to look for razors for me. I've given him a primer on razors and have emphasized that if he sees any heavy wedges (by "heavy wedges" I mean the 100+ year old English wedges almost always scaled in horn) to buy them even if the scales are in bad condition.

Chris L

Originally Posted by ChrisL

If you find them inexpensively enough, you can almost never go wrong buying a heavy Sheffield wedge from any of the old makers. Of course the wider the blade the better.

I travel a fair amount in my state for business and I'm able to stop at antique stores when time permits. My Dad travels as well. He had no interest in straight razors, however, he stops from time to time at antique stores to look for razors for me. I've given him a primer on razors and have emphasized that if he sees any heavy wedges (by "heavy wedges" I mean the 100+ year old English wedges almost always scaled in horn) to buy them even if the scales are in bad condition.

Chris L

Hmmmm....

This almost makes me want to break out Grandpa's forge and beat some truck spring chunks into heavy wedges.

I'm a big fan of old Sheffield steel. Picked up a nice real Greaves a couple weeks back that cleaned up beautifully. Still waiting for me to get some honing time. I'm sure it's worth more than I paid for it now but that wasn't really a consideration. I shave with everything I own, some a little more often than others but I try.

Originally Posted by Bruce

Hmmmm....

This almost makes me want to break out Grandpa's forge and beat some truck spring chunks into heavy wedges.

Just PM me with prices, Bruce!

Chris L

I guess its no different with anything you might collect. People look for different things that interest them. I used to be a mineral collector for many years and folks specialize realizing no one can own one of each mineral that exists in every form. So some collect xtls, some Quartz varieties, some native elements some oxides etc.

The only difference with us is you can actually use what you get every day. Most collectibles can't be used. Even car enthusiasts for the most part take em out every now and then for a show or quick ride. Many never take them out.