Thread: Found 2 old razors today...

I was out in the car today and passed an old antique shop in another town. I popped in and asked the old lady behind the counter if she had any cut throat razors, she replied that she didn't, but there were some old knives in a cabinet at the back of the shop. They must have been there years as the price tags had been crossed out and reduced about 5 times! I got the pair for £8.

I went to have a look anyway and noticed two razor boxes lurking at the back of the cabinet. She unlocked it for me and I had a look at them.

One is a Clements "High Speed" Sheffield round point, with black celluloid scales. It's in quite good condition and should clean up ok, I doubt it'll be worth anything but hopefully I can restore it and add it to my rotation.

The other is a Joseph Fenton & Sons "Extra Hollow Ground" Sheffield (very thinck blade), with real ivory scales. This razor is in worse condition, some rust patches that will likely leave pitting, and one of the scales has a crack in it. It's a shame the ivory is cracked, it's also very thin so I might replace the scales on this if the blade cleans up ok. Again probably not worth anything but I'll try and clean it up to add to the collection.

Um, I thought you are selling razors, not buying... Saving for a Maestro and all... just kidding, I totally understand

Cheers
Ivo

Well that's true but these were super cheap - and I can practice my restoration skills on them.

I was hoping i'd stumble across a box of NOS Wonderedge's or something equally valuable being sold off for £1, but no such luck!

You have your work cut out for you. Hey that is how we learn. Have fun..

Clements might have some hope but I believe that the Fenton is done. I'm betting there will be a ton of pitting. Still, I hope I'm wrong on this one as I'd like for both of them to continue shaving

Ivory scales are cut very thin due to the cost of the material. They often crack at the pins, which is why the new mammoth ivory from dovo has an ebony support. Despite the rust, I think the ivory one might have some life left in it, simply due to the thicker, heavier grind. you can afford to do a but of sanding and still have a good heavy razor. Plus, most of the more serious rust is away from the cutting edge.

If you do scrap the scales, remove them intact. You could customize them, like Gary did, or sell the good scale to someone with a similar problem, working on a restoration.

Good luck either way,

It looks like the pitting is too deep for a full hollow even if it's heavy for that category. Ofcourse this is just my best guess without holding the blade.

Originally Posted by Iwan

Well that's true but these were super cheap - and I can practice my restoration skills on them.

I was hoping i'd stumble across a box of NOS Wonderedge's or something equally valuable being sold off for £1, but no such luck!

That is what keeps us going back to antique shops and garage sales just by the SLIGHT chance that someon has overlooked something as hot as a NOS Wonderedge....that would be a find