Thread: The Frowning Blade :(

I apologize if someone already posted something like this...i couldn't find anything in it..Anywho i was at an antique store today and i saw a beautiful Boker Waldorf straight with mother of pearl on the tang. i thing the scales were some sort of ram horn. (it was going for 175.. is it worth it?) the reason i didnt get it is that it had a slight frown..are you able to hone away a frown? if it were cheaper i would have bought it but for 175 i didnt even bother. thanks!

Almost any frown can be honed away, but if the frown is big you might need to remove so much of the blade that the blade looses some of it's shaving capabilities and probably isn't worth the job.
If it just have a slight frown as you say it shouldn't be a problem.
Wether this particular razor is worth the price or not I don't know, depending on the overall condition etc. In the end the value of a razor (and other collectibles) really depends on how much the buyer is willing to pay.

if you could post pics we would be able to tell you more about the razor condition.
IMHO for the money you can get a NOS razor in perfect condition. Check out Revisor for example:
Schulze Messer

Price seems a bit high to me as well, there are a lot of razors that can bought for that amount that would be ready to save with like in the classified's...many new ones are available as well.

Just saw a Boker Waldorf for sale in the Classifieds for $75, so I will agree that the price seems high.

Check out the spine too. Many times there will be corresponding excessive wear from the center out each way on the spine. I have tackled a couple of those and learned to avoid them to begin with.

Hi vvti714,
Check out the following thread
http://straightrazorpalace.com/works...avy-blade.html
What you were looking at seems a bit of a high price, to me.
I'd be looking in the classifieds here for a new razor, if that's what you want
I personally prefer to restore a vintage blade to it's former glory, however, we are all different.
Enjoy the ride, whichever way you go

Originally Posted by vvti714

... it was going for 175.. is it worth it? ...

Only you can answer that question. To me, if it needs work it is not worth $175, but then again, I'm cheap when it comes to buying razors. I left a NOS Dubl Duck Wonderedge in a shop once where they were asking $250 for it. I went back a few weeks later and it was marked 1/2 off and I still had to think hard and long about buying it. We did buy the Wonderedge but it was a rare instance where we paid that much for a razor in an antique shop. I think the only other razor I purchased for that kind of money from a local shop was a W&B in MOP. In that instance I had a 24% off coupon or it would have stayed on the shelf also. Most local finds are between $5 and $35. There are exceptions to the rule but they are far and few between. Good luck.

This PDF 1961 barber manual excerpt here from the SRP Wiki help files gives good info on avoiding frowns.

THANKS!! i really appreciate yalls help in this forum! The owner of the antique shop wont budge from his prices.. i wont bother though the spine needs work not to mention the frown and the MOP on the tang is cracked..about the only thing thats worth it are the scales but for 175 he's nuts..