Thread: Judging the value of old razors

I saw a couple of very old razors today at an antique store. Pre-1860s supposedly. The scales were wood about to fall off. I wasn't sure if there was too much rust.

How does one go about figuring out what they are worth? Is there a blue book for razors?

I didn't pick them up. I was hoping to find an old razor for about $10 to try my hand at polishing then honing. No luck. I think they wanted about $60/each, which is more money than I wanted to waste learning. Now I am thinking about trying to polish up and restore a 15 year old paring knife I have instead. I won't shave with it, but I might learn something and won't risk much.

Personaly, I won't give more then $20 for a razor from an antique shop unless I really like it, and its in good shape. I still haven't spent more then $35 on one. I'm sure you can find one on e-bay for less that will make a good starter, but if your like me you need the steel in your hand before you know if you want it or not. IMHO, look for a razor that says Sheffield, antique stores usualy don't know their value as shavers.

You will find more often than not that antique stores think their old busted up razors are worth prices like you mention. A price is relative. I'm a cheapscape & about $20 is all i will usually give for a razor unless it's something that I am wanting really bad...

There are some books out there giving pricing, but I don't agree at all with their suggested prices. Keep at the stores & you will find something worth bringing home...

ROFLMAO...Cevulirn beat me to the punch with the same thoughts...great minds think alike!

Watch the classifieds here, and look at completed e-bay auctions for different brands. After a while you will get a feel for how brand and condition meet to reach a price. I'm with the guys above, don't spend more than $10-20 for your first honer/restore. There are plenty out there if you do some research and walk into enough antique shops or follow enough auctions...

Straight-razors are often not worth much for the simple reason that they were EXTREMELY COMMON. Before the early 20th century, they were the only way to shave. So there are millions of them all over the world. And since most people don'e use them, their prices are usually dirt cheap.

The razors that are worth money are the boxed sets. The pairs, the four-razor sets, the weekly seven-day sets and razors with unique or otherwise special scale-materials/designs.

Other than that though, most razors don't sell for much. The cheapest razor I have is a $5 German full-hollow straight. But it shaves like a dream.

Flea markets know what Mick Jagger wrote, that time is on their side. They can put a $60.00 price tag on a $10.00 razor and just let it sit in the store. Eventually someone might think it's cute, might remember dear old Grand Dad shaving iwth a straight, or maybe just be a Newbie on this forum who's looking for something to polish up and hone.

We do not offer appraisals here, sorry.

Thank you but I would really just like to find out how old this razor may be. And the history . I have searched on line but can not find any info on the etched blades.

I'm not really interested in the value just the history and era of this etched razor. Would never consider selling it.