Haunted by King Cutters

Hello,
I recently made a trip to the flea market in search of razors. This time there was much in the way of straights, though most in rather questionable condition. At the first stop I noticed a Boker King Cutter box in the display case. Excited, I asked to see it. In place of the Boker it contained a Genco henry's X in nice condition (pics to come). As it was a decent price I bought it. Over the course off my browsing I found a number of King Cutter boxes, but they all contained other brands of razors (honed out, chipped, snapped blades,etc.). This made me wonder where the razors the boxes contained went? Of course one would expect a few miss matched boxes, but I found about twenty boxes all with other brands of razors. My current roommate has her grandfather's King cutter and it seems to have a particularly thin grind. Were the king cutters more prone to snapping or chipping than other razors? Has anyone else had this experience? I am particular fond of this razor for some reason. I feel that I am haunted by them with empty boxes and inaccessible razors (roommates).

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Originally Posted by jayk

Hello,
I recently made a trip to the flea market in search of razors. This time there was much in the way of straights, though most in rather questionable condition. At the first stop I noticed a Boker King Cutter box in the display case. Excited, I asked to see it. In place of the Boker it contained a Genco henry's X in nice condition (pics to come). As it was a decent price I bought it. Over the course off my browsing I found a number of King Cutter boxes, but they all contained other brands of razors (honed out, chipped, snapped blades,etc.). This made me wonder where the razors the boxes contained went? Of course one would expect a few miss matched boxes, but I found about twenty boxes all with other brands of razors. My current roommate has her grandfather's King cutter and it seems to have a particularly thin grind. Were the king cutters more prone to snapping or chipping than other razors? Has anyone else had this experience? I am particular fond of this razor for some reason. I feel that I am haunted by them with empty boxes and inaccessible razors (roommates).

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Ive only ever owned 6 razors. 2 of those where king cutters. I sold one and Im currently working on restoring the other. they were both in really good shape. Really, I think your just having bad luck. keep your eyes open and you'll come across a prize.

I picked up a King Cutter recently, my second Boker but first King Cutter.
A fantastic razor... it moved to the first team rotation.

Keep looking, you will be rewarded when "your" Boker KC is ready to appear....

And it will be worth the wait...

Just think, how many things you buy that come in boxes. How many do you keep? same with razors. Most threw the boxes away so over time if they needed a box they used whatever they had or they could find. There are those who collect razor boxes by the way.

I have a King Cutter and they are similar to other hollow grinds. I suspect being Boker they sold many and that's why you see so many with issues. However there are plenty that are in great shape. They are out there.

Years ago pipe shops would put the pipes on racks on the walls and the higher grades in the glass display cases. IME many times a clerk would pull out the 'wrong' box when selling a pipe. More often than not the buyer was throwing it away anyway. Seems to have been the same with old razors.

I've also got a King Cutter in real good shape and it is a heck of a shaver. You'll eventually get the right one. Just remember, the three most important things with vintage razors are condition, condition and condition.

maybe king cutter's boxes last longer.

If you like King Cutters, you shou also try a Boker Red Injun 101 round point.. It is a little talked about razor that has a great thin grind. They pop up on ebay every pnce in a while.. Not to be confused with the 101 square tip. The round point is nicer, and a runner up with King Cutters IMO.

I picked up a KC through the bay for $20. Came to me in near NOS condition. There was somem patina on the blade but still mirrored finish and the gold wash perfectly in tact! It was my first WOW shave and has a permanent place in my rotation. Not only was it my first razor, it's still my favourite razor! The only shave that has come close to it, out of my growing collection, is a like new Anton Wingen Jr Red-point 917 and my NOS Wapienica that I got a week or two ago.

Good luck finding one of these, you'll love it when you get one in great condition! As mentioned above, the Red Injun, thought never passing over my face, is apparently a top quality shaver.
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I'm not sure what it is about Bokers but everyone I know that has one says the same thing, AWESOME!

GOOD LUCK!

Thanks, I will keep looking. If the boxes are out there, t at least means that somewhere there is a razor. Thanks for the red injun recommendation it will give me something else to look for. So many razors to try. That King Cutter looks really great with the cream scales!

In the meantime here is a (bad)picture of the razor in the king cutter box. It is a Genco Henry's X. Needs a bit of work, the blade actually is silver, but has a few scratches on it and the pin is a bit loose. I am planning to unpin it and sand/buff the blade to a mirror shine, clean and sand the scales, repin it, and finally hone it on film. This will be my first restoration attempt, but with the stickies and help on the forums I feel pretty confident. Unfortunately, this will have to wait since I have 80 papers to mark this week.
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I also got a King Cutter, with appropriate box, on the bay about 10 years ago for about $10. It has a slight smile. I recently honed it and it gives a very nice shave.

I too have come across many Kings. In fact I own 3 and have found about 3 more than that. I really like them.

Bokers top notch shavers. I have like 10 of them, all different models but all great shavers.