Thread: Razors I saw today

So after spending a few hours on the internet reading up on razors I hit the antique malls today. I was pleasantly surprised to actually find quite a good selection out there! I made notes, although now that I look at them they are woefully incomplete. I would be interested in your feedback with regard to which of these razors might A) make a good starter blade, and B) make a good blade to collect or resell.

In spite of my lack of detail, most of these blades were in decent shape, minor wear, no major pitting that I could see, very minor nicks (or none at all).

[EDIT: I did not purchase any of these razors today, FYI)]

Torrey - "No. 900" on the blade itself
Geneva Cutlery - $20
Electric Cutlery - $25
Keen Cutter - $45
Ohio Cutlery - $18
Shumate - $36
the Saturday blade from a 7-day set (unsure of brand) - $30
E.M. Davis - $35
DublDuck - $50
Palm - Kirchner - $40
W.B. - Ivory (?) - labeled as 1890's - $60

Pics or it did not happen.

Aside from "we don't do apprasials" (and that is essentially what asking "Should I buy this blade for this price") it is impossible to say anything about a razor without seeing pictures or at least having a good description.

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

Aside from "we don't do apprasials" (and that is essentially what asking "Should I buy this blade for this price") it is impossible to say anything about a razor without seeing pictures or at least having a good description.

+1 on the money bit.

The only reason for me to buy a razor is that I would be
willing to shave with it. In fact do I want to shave with
it.

All in all good prices for sound steel i.e. if no nicks or cracks
and functional pins and scales. If you sold the DD
you should be able to cover shipping them to me...

When it comes to the collector value of razors, I can't help you. As far as their suitability for shavers, I think it fair to say that (1) if it is vintage, and (2) if the blade is in good shape as far as rust is concerned, it will shave well.

I just have not run into vintage blades that don't do the job. There might be differences between a Cadillac and a Chevy. But, they both get you from A to B just fine. That's what I am saying about vintage blades. There might be nuances of differences - how well it maintains an edge for example, but they all do well.

And, every one in your list, in my opinion, will perform quite well.

I personally have a soft spot for Wade and Butcher blades, and in my experience hunting them down and trying to buy them, I've seen them sold for a pretty penny, even when the condition is less then stellar. Add in the ivory scales, and assuming the blade is decent to good condition, I would say that's a good price.

Hope that helps

Originally Posted by LarryAndro

When it comes to the collector value of razors, I can't help you. As far as their suitability for shavers, I think it fair to say that (1) if it is vintage, and (2) if the blade is in good shape as far as rust is concerned, it will shave well.

I just have not run into vintage blades that don't do the job. There might be differences between a Cadillac and a Chevy. But, they both get you from A to B just fine. That's what I am saying about vintage blades. There might be nuances of differences - how well it maintains an edge for example, but they all do well.

And, every one in your list, in my opinion, will perform quite well.

Most of these I looked at were very sharp - VERY - which surprised me a bit.

I am very encouraged after looking at restoration pics on this site last night. It's amazing what those guys can do.

wow, very instructive topic! thanks to all contributors.

Originally Posted by mainaman

Pics or it did not happen.

I didn't even take good notes - why would you think I took pics? LOL For some reason I felt like taking pictures would alert the sellers and they would mark them all up on me. I guess that kinda sounds crazy now that I think about it. But yeah, no pics.

Originally Posted by dixonge

I didn't even take good notes - why would you think I took pics? LOL For some reason I felt like taking pictures would alert the sellers and they would mark them all up on me. I guess that kinda sounds crazy now that I think about it. But yeah, no pics.

Without pics there is no way to tell if the razors are in good condition.