Thread: New Collection

Hello all,

I am quite new to straight shaving and have just bought my first "vintage" razor. The razor was made by Thomas Turner and Co and is called "The Favorite". I am more than happy with razor and I am now feeling the urge to go and buy more and get a collection going. So, my question is this. Firstly, is the one that I have bought a "known" razor. Also, are there any razors out there that would be considered desirable for a new collector? Also, are there any distinguishing features to look for that will determine whether a razor is one of quality or not?

I have a million more questions but in order to keep it simple and manageable I'll leave it at that for now

Thanks

pete

A good place to start would be to gander through the razor clubs here: Razor Clubs

WELCOME!!! My advice is to be very carefull with ebay! You will find that razors from England (Sheffield) and Germany (Soligen) are of high quality, but some are better than others. Read the threads here and gain as much knowledge as you can before diving in head first. (ie ONE high quality known brand razor is the equel of a shoebox full of lesser razors) This is just my line of thought and opinion. There are many lesser known razors that are excellent shavers, but until you have been at it awhile and gained the knowledge to know what they are, it is very easy to purchase something that later you might wish you had not. There are many razors from other countrys that are great. I really like razors made in the good old USA. In a nutshell, buy QUALITY and you wont go wrong, either in shave quality or resale\trade value. Best, wildhog

My advice is to be very carefull with ebay!

+1 on the great advice above!! I personaly read as much as possible about straights, grinds, makers, honing, restoration, and what to be weary of when buying straights on the bay before I made my 2nd,3rd,4th,so on and so on purchases on ebay. There are deals to be had but they are few and far between. This one was a steal (not by me but I wish I had seen it!!!)Probably cleaned up REAL NICE, and has Ivory scales.http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=320693755194But sometimes you just have to gamble. I got these two W&B pretty cheap, but thats just if they are what I was told, but worth the gamble.http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...=STRK:MEWAX:IT

If you buy vintage straight razors, while there are differences in quality, in my opinion the differences are not significant. If it is vintage, if rust hasn't degraded the edge, it will shave well.

The biggest problem in buying off EBay, I believe, is rust. Not all rusts are created equal! Some don't appear too bad, but are killers. Some rust patterns look horrible, and aren't killers. And, even if the blade looks good, you don't always know whether someone has masked deep pitting rust by buffing the blade.

I won't say not to buy off Ebay. But, be ready for some clinkers among the jewels.

Almost anyone here would be glad to review an Ebay listing and give you our opinion.

Originally Posted by Pdav

Hello all,
Also, are there any razors out there that would be considered desirable for a new collector? Also, are there any distinguishing features to look for that will determine whether a razor is one of quality or not?


Thanks

pete

Check the wiki for known 'reliable' brands, although the wiki is very scarce on info about French steel, and my experience has been that French razors are the equal of some of the best big names from Solingen, Sheffield Eskilstuna or Toledo. [/end personal rant]

There are things that I want to see in razors from the 'bay.
1) A straight edge. Some razors were designed to 'smile' similar to the razor in the SRP logo. For a beginner you want to see that edge straight as straight. You can go looking for smilers once you have a bit of background. Razors with a 'frown' are to be avoided.

2) A case that matches the razor. It is a little thing as the case is in and of itself of nominal value. What it tells you is that the razor has been looked after by its original owner(s). The razors I have bought with original cases from the 'bay are generally of higher standard than those without cases. Obviously there is a market in razor cases as well as razors so there is no guarantee.

3) good close up photos of both sides of the razor. One old tactic is to only take photos of a 'good' side. Sometimes photos will be posted upside down to try to fool you into thinking you have seen both sides of a razor.

4) Clearly see the maker's name on the tang. It is not unknown for low status blades to be given high status scales and/or boxes.

5) Hone wear. Read this: Honing: Troubleshooting Guide - Straight Razor Place Wiki

6) If you are looking at getting some beat up razors to restore, your primary concern is the condition of the edge. Anything else on a razor can be fixed, but if the edge is too rusted or cracked there is little you can do with it.

Pete,

As others have said, you will be better off buying stuff initially from the BST here, and/or from reputable vendors such as Mr Neil Miller (www.strop-shop.co.uk - hand made straight razor strops, razor pouches, shaving accessories, vintage razors, razor honing and restoration).

Good luck !

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

One thing I forgot to mention.

Think about the theme you want to develop. I started randomly collecting razors and now about half of them are surplus to requirements. I'm having a good focus on art deco razors of France and Germany, with a few other continental razors thrown in.
Think about what it is that attracts you to straight razors and which razors give you a bad case of the "me wants".