Thread: 1700's straight razor..

First i want to say hello and was hoping you guys can give me some info on a straight razor I got the other day. I have been loking around and finding info but want your guys opion. I have a wooden handle..brass pin..wedge shape razor with alittle tail. I have the box it came in with the inscription "This razor bought by Edward Kindley in 1778 and carried by him in the war of Revolution". This is not a fake...this thing is ooold. It has "cast steel" stamped on both sides and "germany" stamped on the bottom. I was hoping you can give me some info on this. It's rusty with no chips in it...but should it be repaired? Is that a option? What's it's value? these are all questions I hope you can help me with....Thanks!

I can list pics if you want

First and foremost, value is not something we discuss on the open forum. It's not something that can be determined; a razor is worth what someone is willing to pay for it. Also, discussions about value tend to be followed shortly by talk of buying, selling, or trading. The forum's rules expressly prohibit such talk on the open forum. If value, selling, or trading are your top interests, further discussion should not take place.

Getting back to the razor, the style that you describe fits the period, but the stamp of Germany raises my eyebrows. I don't know of any German razors that old; they tend to be English or French. Photos would be very helpful.

If I remember my history right, there was no "Germany" until 1871. Anything made before this time probably would have only had the towns name, such as Solingen.

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

First and foremost, value is not something we discuss on the open forum. It's not something that can be determined; a razor is worth what someone is willing to pay for it. Also, discussions about value tend to be followed shortly by talk of buying, selling, or trading. The forum's rules expressly prohibit such talk on the open forum. If value, selling, or trading are your top interests, further discussion should not take place.

Getting back to the razor, the style that you describe fits the period, but the stamp of Germany raises my eyebrows. I don't know of any German razors that old; they tend to be English or French. Photos would be very helpful.

Ok I will post pics when I get home from work. The only reason I ask about value was because this was something that was just kinda dumped on me. I know nothing about straight razors or the history of them. I was thinking of getting it restored but didnt know if it would be cost effective if this thing is worth a dollar.

Originally Posted by Framedragger79

Ok I will post pics when I get home from work. The only reason I ask about value was because this was something that was just kinda dumped on me. I know nothing about straight razors or the history of them. I was thinking of getting it restored but didnt know if it would be cost effective if this thing is worth a dollar.

Welcome to SRP. In determining whether to restore the razor the question should be how much is the razor worth to you? If you don't know then I would say don't restore it. If you are looking to restore it and then sell , well.... You will find a lot of information to help you with straight shaving and wet shaving here and we will be happy to assist you but you won't find that answer here.

I am interested in seeing some pictures of the razor if you get a chance to put them up.

Originally Posted by Framedragger79

Ok I will post pics when I get home from work. The only reason I ask about value was because this was something that was just kinda dumped on me. I know nothing about straight razors or the history of them. I was thinking of getting it restored but didnt know if it would be cost effective if this thing is worth a dollar.

As Joe pointed out: If it's worth a dollar, it could be worth restoring. If it's worth $1000 it could be worth restoring. The real question is: can it be restored to shaving status? But that's completely independent of monetary value. That's a whole issue that's not the interest of SRP. Shave-ability is what would matter here on SRP. Can you get it so that you can shave with it and find out what shaving is really meant to be? Can't say that without pics...but doing so could ruin (or enhance) monetary value. Make sure you know what it is you really want to find out.

Peace,

Guys i'm 35 years old and never once had a straight razor on my face. I have been growing a beard for almost 3 months now (I hear gasp) but i'm seriously thinking of shaving it off. I can understand you guys are serious about this. I came to your home and knocked on the door. I will be respectful and take all the advise given to me with much thought. Thanks again...
Shaun

How did you get this razor ? Can you please post some good pics ? The word "Germany" on a cast steel razor from the 1700's doesn't make sense . I would love to see this razor .

Originally Posted by dave5225

How did you get this razor ? Can you please post some good pics ? The word "Germany" on a cast steel razor from the 1700's doesn't make sense . I would love to see this razor .

I am intrigued as well, as stated earlier Germany wasnt a country until the 1870's, prior it was a bunch of Germanic individual states.

Originally Posted by Framedragger79

Guys i'm 35 years old and never once had a straight razor on my face. I have been growing a beard for almost 3 months now (I hear gasp) but i'm seriously thinking of shaving it off. I can understand you guys are serious about this. I came to your home and knocked on the door. I will be respectful and take all the advise given to me with much thought. Thanks again...
Shaun

We all start at some point. I'm new to straight razors myself, but very intrigued at what you're describing...and just want to make sure I understand what you're wanting to figure out.

Peace,