Thread: Would you have bought this razor?

Hi all.

This afternoon I was at my favorite antique store. There's a vendor there that specializes in straight razors and today he had an absolutely pristine Wosty. Bright and shiny, no hone wear, perfect scales, tight and centered 6/8

blade. Very fair price. The problem? From the edge of the blade to about 2-3 mm in, was what I thought was heat discoloration. Not a lot, really just barely noticeable. I've bought several nice blades from this vendor,

he has some really nice stuff on occasion, but he also has blades that have been noticeably and severely ground down to remove significant rust or chips or pitting, or who knows what else. One blade I saw today had about

1/2 inch removed from the toe. The antique shop will be open tomorrow, my question to all is should I go back and buy this one or should I pass?

Thats a tricky question. I HAVE seen bright blades, that have developed a blue tinge to them simply from years of oxidation.
This will usually lighten up after a quick go with some mothers polish. heat bluing will not go away that easily.

Ask him if you can rub it with a polishing cloth? if he lets you it might help you determine its true state.
If you think it HAS been buffed out, then skip it right off. it takes a long time to develop a blue patina, so the likelihood of it being burned is high.

I hear talk of blue patina but if I see blue on anything metal the first thing I think is HOT!! Drop it on the counter and see if it shatters ? Just joking of course. What about asking the guy ? You deal with him all the time he should be honest. Of course trust is another issue but if you let him know your suspicious he may just fess up. Does he clean them up or just acquire them and lay them out ? I always try to talk shop with who ever I do business with. I learn and learn about the person I am dealing with. And they learn I am not just some guy that is going to believe what ever I hear.

Originally Posted by Magpie

Thats a tricky question. I HAVE seen bright blades, that have developed a blue tinge to them simply from years of oxidation.
This will usually lighten up after a quick go with some mothers polish. heat bluing will not go away that easily.

Ask him if you can rub it with a polishing cloth? if he lets you it might help you determine its true state.
If you think it HAS been buffed out, then skip it right off. it takes a long time to develop a blue patina, so the likelihood of it being burned is high.

This is probally your best bet

It's an antique mall, I've never seen the owners of the booth that sells the straight razors.

Some of the razors sold are obviously heavily reworked, and not in a good way. Some have heavy grind marks, like they've been ground down by a course grinding wheel. Some have been cut down to cut out chips and cracks.

The razors that have been ground down are immediately apparent because of the heavy and course grind marks. I think the Wosty I saw was originally in good shape, the worst that has happened to it is a heavy buffing.

Perhaps a buffing heavy enough to create enough heat to destroy the temper of the blade? I don't know, it's a gamble, but the price is right. But...I wouldn't want a blade that won't hold an edge, even for free.

Thank you, all, for the comments.

Sounds like your gut is telling you that the temper is gone. In this situation you got to go with your gut.

If you just can't let it go see if they will let you take some pics and post them maybe you can get a better answer.

Originally Posted by Mike12345

It's an antique mall, I've never seen the owners of the booth that sells the straight razors.

Some of the razors sold are obviously heavily reworked, and not in a good way. Some have heavy grind marks, like they've been ground down by a course grinding wheel. Some have been cut down to cut out chips and cracks.

The razors that have been ground down are immediately apparent because of the heavy and course grind marks. I think the Wosty I saw was originally in good shape, the worst that has happened to it is a heavy buffing.

Perhaps a buffing heavy enough to create enough heat to destroy the temper of the blade? I don't know, it's a gamble, but the price is right. But...I wouldn't want a blade that won't hold an edge, even for free.

Thank you, all, for the comments.

Improperly done, a buffer can RUIN a blade, but it'll be shiny.

The true suck of sucks is when they buff it blue, and then realize they have screwed it up, and put it BACK on the buffer to remove the heavy blue color. Then you cant even tell easily!

Another thought is to explain to the gentleman that you USE these razors, you dont collect them, and tell him you are worried about the razor and explain why.

If he is willing to back up any claims of not damaged with a refund if it wont get sharp, then go ahead. If he says "buyer beware" you will have your answer!

When in dout dont Grandmaw alway said, and she was almost never wrong!!
Rich