Gentlemen:
Many antique stores price their merchandise with an eye on the customer's emotion: that as long as it's old it's worth the price. This works for much of their stock. It does not work with straight razors, especially if the customer is a gentleman shaver, who wants the razor not only as possibly a prized antique, but more importantly as a razor that will become a good shaver.
In my experience, the majority of antique store owners have no idea about the gentleman shaver's requirements for that specific razor. What's more, they know nothing about straight razors or straight razor shaving. For instance, a number of antique store owners have tried to sell me a straight razor with a chipped blade, rusted blade, broken scales — a piece of junk — as an antique piece for display.
I have explained to them that such a piece of junk is worthless to me. Perhaps it might be worth the high price for someone who wants to display something old — anything — in his display cabinet. Not for me. But they don't understand.
If I come across a straight razor that reminds me of a pirate with a patch on one eye, a hook for a hand and a stump for a leg, grinning from ear to ear with half his teeth missing, I'll know to shuffle off the other way.
Regards,
Obie