Thread: Help ID a Razor Please

First off, I am not very familiar with razors. My grandfather recently left me a collection of knives and within the collection was 1 razor. I was hoping someone here could help me identify age, place of origin, etc. Also, the type of razor etc would be great, the more info the better.

I appreciate any help you can give and hope to hear something soon. Thanks again!

The razor looks very old indeed. The scales look like horn, but they are very old and have taken on a lot of color so they could be whale bone or even ivory. I'm certain they are hand carved. My guess is that it was made by a small private maker. It clearly has a nautical theme. My guess it that this razor is mid to late 18th century and may be quite valuable. I'm sure there are folks here who can and will tell you more. Just keep it dry and DON'T try to clean it or apply anything until you get an expert opinion. If you are looking to sell it, I'm a potential buyer.

Late 1700's to about 1840 I would guess. Closer to 1810 but I couldn't say with a certainty.

She sure is a beauty though

Looks like grampa got his monies worth out of that one. IMO what you have there is a pressed horn handle. Back in the 1800s they would heat a die and press designs into the horn. These are sought after by collectors and even with the significant blade wear the scales make that a valuable collectible IMO. We don't do appraisals on SRP and even if we did I couldn't give a dollar value but I bet it would bring a good buck on ebay. Welcome to SRP BTW.

I appreciate the responses so far. I suspected the scales may be horn but as you said thought maybe other materials were possible. I thought ivory or some sort of shell maybe?
Also, I appreciate the input on the age, I was at a loss as to how old it may be.

A little more information on this razor: I lived in Prague, Czech Republic when I was young. My grandfather came to visit while my family lived there and he purchased this razor in an antique store while in the city... this makes me assume the razor is probably Europian in origin.

I am considering selling it, I predominantly collect knives and know little about Razors so once I can find someone to appraise it I may be willing to part with it. Any idea of where I could get this appraised, would a knife expert be able to appraise this accurately?

Thanks Again!

I don't know who you could take it to for an appraisal. Every now and again a pressed horn razor comes up on ebay. When I watch them they always bring over a hundred bucks. The guys that collect primarily for scales can be very enthusiastic bidders from what I've seen. If you list it on ebay post good pics of the scales and make sure to put "pressed horn" in the title of the listing.

There is a fellow named Robert Doyle who is an auctioneer in upstate NY. He has written two books on straight razor collecting with the most recent being on collecting razors for the decorated celluloid scales. His website is Absolute Auction and Realty and perhaps you could email him and he might respond.

I just located a second razor in the knives that grampa gave me. Unfortunately it is in bad shape... the blade has a large peice missing.

The tang is stamped SOLINGEN (I'm familiar with this German town from my knife collecting) on one side and the other is side is stamped with a 52, tobaco pipe and the words MARKE:,,PHEIFE" directly underneath the pipe.

Any thoughts on the origin/age of this?

Congrats on your heirlooms. The first razor probably says "Warrated" on the tang. If anybody has info on this, I'd be interested as well. I think it was made a small blade, rather than worn that way.

Anyways. Once you sell them, that's one piece of your family history gone for a quite meager sum. But your call.

I'm afraid the second razor is pretty much toast shave- and selling-vise, but the emotional value might still be there for you. Oil it and set it on a pedestal.

Jimmy, I appreciate the info you gave me on Robert Doyle. I was able to get in touch with him and he gave me his estimate on the Razor.

Rob says it is a pressed mottled horn handled razor with a value of $225.

Originally Posted by ursus

Congrats on your heirlooms. The first razor probably says "Warrated" on the tang. If anybody has info on this, I'd be interested as well. I think it was made a small blade, rather than worn that way.

Anyways. Once you sell them, that's one piece of your family history gone for a quite meager sum. But your call.

I'm afraid the second razor is pretty much toast shave- and selling-vise, but the emotional value might still be there for you. Oil it and set it on a pedestal.

Per Robert Doyle of Absolute Auction Realty the razor is a pressed mottled horn handle and is valued at about $225. Also the tang says either warranted or warranty, I believe this is to verify the type of metal used in the blade?

I understand what you mean about selling it, however I collect knives almost exclusively and will be keeping the knives he has given me. I do have to admit though, researching this razor and the beauty of it has definitely peaked my interest in these unique items.