Thread: 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).

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).

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.