Thread: Stumbled on some treasures (perhaps)

So, I am currently home for thanksgiving. My father is aware that i startes using a straight to shave. He stumbled upon this in a box of family artifacts. These were used by my Great Grandfather, in Paris, Pre WWII. They seem to still be in great shape and are just a little dull. I was wondering a few things:

1. What needs to be done to get them into 100% safe usable shape?
2. Why is there a separate razor for every day of the week? From the information I gather here, a well taken care of blade should last a lifetime.
3. Does anyone know what the setup we have stumbled upon is worth anything?

Thanks for all of your help with the issue, and I hope you all have a wonderful thanksgiving.

They probably just need a Touch up honing and to be used, they were considered to be a Gentleman's set, usually somebody of above average means owned them, one razor for each day of the week ..

Value, we don't discuss on SRP but considering they are a family heirloom in beautiful shape they are priceless, many of us (me) would give eyeteeth for an heirloom razor let alone a 7 day set.. You are a very lucky man

You might get lucky and be able to just strop and shave with one or more of those. Beautiful set.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

They probably just need a Touch up honing and to be used, they were considered to be a Gentleman's set, usually somebody of above average means owned them, one razor for each day of the week ..

Value, we don't discuss on SRP but considering they are a family heirloom in beautiful shape they are priceless, many of us (me) would give eyeteeth for an heirloom razor let alone a 7 day set.. You are a very lucky man

Thanks for the quick reply!

Congrats. Wow. Most of us here would give anything for such a family heirloom. Use them in good health, care for them with your ancestors in mind.
Ok, I'll try your questions.

1. What needs to be done to get them into 100% safe usable shape?
I would just hone and use them. The minor imperfections, and I don't see many, I would keep as original imperfections.

2. Why is there a separate razor for every day of the week? From the information I gather here, a well taken care of blade should last a lifetime.
The set was intended, as others have posted, for a man of some means to extend the time between honing by use of multiple blades.

3. Does anyone know what the setup we have stumbled upon is worth anything?
Again, as others have mentioned, valuations are not done here. So much depends on sale venue anyway. As a family heirloom it would be priceless to me. Search out ebay auctions for a very rough idea of the monetary value of this set. Keep in mind that your set is complete, and in pristine condition.

Originally Posted by Mike12345

3. Does anyone know what the setup we have stumbled upon is worth anything?
Again, as others have mentioned, valuations are not done here. So much depends on sale venue anyway. As a family heirloom it would be priceless to me. Search out ebay auctions for a very rough idea of the monetary value of this set. Keep in mind that your set is complete, and in pristine condition.

I really wasn't trying to sell the set. I just assumed that it was pre WWII, and based on my family history, price would be a very easy way to tell.

That is on heck of a stumble your Dad had. You already have all the answers to your questions. That 7 day set is in as nice a condition as you could hope to find a vintage set in, enjoy. Personally, I love the shoulderless design of the blades with thumb notch. Is the blade size 6/8?

Bob

That is a beautiful set of razors. Lucky guy!

Those look like very nice razors!
I have had some success in removing superficial spots: just take a little mineral oil (same kind you can get for razors specifically) put a little on the spot and rub with a Q-tip. Others can probably give you better tips on old razors, but this is a very mild and non-destructive method if the spots are just on the surface.

If they need a slight sharpening, I would go with several strokes on a very fine polishing water stone and a strop with a slightly abrasive strop paste, or slurry from the fine hone applied to the strop (the slurry-on-strop is my favorite method).

If they are very dull, I would either send them to a professional honer or just keep them for the looks.

A. Peter 4 rue Flechier Paris, magasin de coutellerie et matériels de barbiers.
Translation Cutlery store and barbers supply.
Found some others razors 7 day set and lots of table cutlery from the same place, and it just screams high end cutlery Great find!