Thread: How much should you spend on an antique razor that will need any type of restoration?

There is an antique shop in Galveston and one here in Houston that i know of that has antique razors for sale, but how much should i spend on them? the Older gentleman that owns the antique store in Houston sells them for about $35-175 (the one being 175 needs new pins and buffing on the blade but it has what seems to be ram horn scales and mother of pearl on the tang) and the one in Glaveston has them for $60-98.. they all need new pins and buffing... are those prices worth it? also..they all seem to be German made blades but not necessarily Solingen.

That question can be answered by you only, some brands are more pricey some are not.
In general when you are buying a vintage razor make sure it is in good condition so that the restoration outcome is good. For example hollow ground razor with a lot of pitting will have left over pitting after restoration just because of the grind. So look for something in good shape that will clean up nicely, this way you will get most for your money.

Here is a Beginners Tips thread that I did awhile back that might help you some, JoeD also did one sometime ago about what to shop for IIRC if you search his threads you should find it

http://straightrazorpalace.com/begin...eb-2011-a.html

Thanks for thinking of me Glen. I think the thread you are referring to is EBay 101. As noted above, only you can determine if the cost to restore a is worth the price. Black rust and pitting can be expensive to remove completely. Pitting on the bevel needs to be removed to good metal to get a good shaving edge. Re scaling cost depends on the material used. Unless it were a special razor like an heirloom or special make the restore cost may overtake the value of the razor. Hollow ground razors are more limited in the amount of metal that can be removed so as a result the finished results may still contain pitting and/or staining. For the price you are noting from the shops I would tend to look through the classifieds or look at new razors from various vendors. You would be surprised how fast restorations costs can add up. The other side of that coin is to learn how to do the restorations yourself, like I did. I do my own restorations so the cost to me is materials and time. I wouldn't be buying $35 razors to learn restorations on though. Good luck.

Just found it. Here's the link to EBay 101 http://straightrazorpalace.com/aucti...bay-101-a.html

Price is an issue, when I first started hunting straight razors in the wild, I saw several in the price range you mentioned. I was so excited when I stumbled across one for $15 dollars that I bought it on the spot. I proudly displayed my acquistion on a razor forum, only to find out that the large chip and rust on the edge along with the bad frown and narrowness of the blade meant a good candidate for a letter opener, but not for restoration.

I would encourage you to keep looking. I eventually found an antique shop that sold me a 11/16 Boker with minor surface rust for $12 dollars and a 6/8 Robeson Sure Edge with minor surface imperfections for $23. One tip, when you go into a store for the first time let them know you are looking for straight razors and vintage shaving gear. Since razors are small and take up room in display cases, the dealers don't always have everything out.

Good hunting!

I find that, as mentioned here, price is according to the value I place on that particular razor. If I find a rare or uncommon razor in at least half way decent shape, the price can be fairly high and I'm willing to pay it. Some are not particularly rare or uncommon and I won't pay more the 20$ for it. And for that price it best not need a lot of work.

I have a lot of razors that I bought in the 10-50 $ range that I thought were worth it. I've spent as much as 80$ on a rare antique store find. I just won't spend more than that on a razor I know will require work.

For 100$ I can get a brand new razor, never been used, honed professionally and shave ready when it arrives at my door.

That's how I price an antique, comparing it to what I can get new for the same price. If I feel it's a deal, or I really want it, price doesn't mean much.

Good luck!!!

M

Take a look at the "Classifieds" on this site, and WhippedDog.com, and recent listings by holli4pirating on his own website.

You'll find _properly honed_ razors for the same prices your local antique stores are quoting. They don't need new pins, either.

Antique-store razors _can_ be good deals. But for the prices your local dealers are asking, I'd want something _really_ clean -- tight pins, no rust, centered in scales, good edge. As mjhammer says, you can buy a new Dovo for under $100, honed (I just checked Straight Razor Designs -- $70 !!!).

The 1892 Boker I bought for $7, re-scaled ($14), and sharpened myself -- _that_ was a good deal! At least, it was if I don't put a value on my own time.<g>

Charles

PS -- there's a prohibition on giving valuations on this site, and we're skirting the edge of that prohibition in this discussion.

Originally Posted by cpcohen1945

Take a look at the "Classifieds" on this site, and WhippedDog.com, and recent listings by holli4pirating on his own website.

You'll find _properly honed_ razors for the same prices your local antique stores are quoting. They don't need new pins, either.

Antique-store razors _can_ be good deals. But for the prices your local dealers are asking, I'd want something _really_ clean -- tight pins, no rust, centered in scales, good edge. As mjhammer says, you can buy a new Dovo for under $100, honed (I just checked Straight Razor Designs -- $70 !!!).

The 1892 Boker I bought for $7, re-scaled ($14), and sharpened myself -- _that_ was a good deal! At least, it was if I don't put a value on my own time.<g>

Charles

PS -- there's a prohibition on giving valuations on this site, and we're skirting the edge of that prohibition in this discussion.

thanks alot i really appreciate the help!