Thread: Information regarding a rare American straight razor

I recently purchased a straight razor. It has MAXIM stamped on to the shank. The handle is decorative with an Eagle stamped and painted on to it and the Red stripes of the American Flag either end of the handle. I haven't been able to find any information on this razor anywhere so was hoping someon out there may be able to shine a light on age or background.
I am a new collector of vintage straight razors so expect lots more questions from an uneducated new collector.
Cheers
Tom

ANTIQUE OLD STRAIGHT RAZOR "MAXIM" UNUSUAL EAGLE & US FLAG HANDLE~SMALL CRACK | eBay

This is the razor in question

You know lately I have started being very honest in threads like this so people learn a bit from experience...

First off note the actual pattern in the steel, this looks odd and more like Cell Rot from the decaying scales
It is not Rare the razor nor the scales
The scales are trashed
The pivot is broken
The steel is trashed
about 2mm of hone wear
and the edge has active rust on it

That is what I see, I hope that you don't mind honesty

Honest is a good thing.I am amazed at some of the blades people on this site buy with the mistaken idea of doing resto work and bringing them back to life.
I love razors as much as most SRP members,but sometimes they just need to be put in the scrap heap.

Thanks for the information. I know the razor isn't in the best condition, I have no intention of using it or selling it. I just like what it looks like. I have a friend who will clean it up for me so it looks a lot nicer than it does at the moment. I was just curious as to whether there was any information regarding these razors.

I'm a new collector...Are you really that amazed at some of the razors people buy? I like the look of it and it would look nice in a display case in my shop. I was just after information regarding age and manufacturer of the razor...purely out of interest

If you display the razor, I would suggest doing it separately from other razors..

Search the term "Celluloid Rot" on here

I have seen that style of scale on other razors, so it was probably an upgrade sold either to the factory or from a Barber/Hardware store/Cutler after the fact..

Originally Posted by BarberTom

I'm a new collector...Are you really that amazed at some of the razors people buy? I like the look of it and it would look nice in a display case in my shop. I was just after information regarding age and manufacturer of the razor...purely out of interest

Hi Tom and welcome to SRP. Please understand that we are mostly users before being collectors, though many of us wear both hats. Now a guy who collects fancy handles, doesn't shave with the razors, isn't as concerned with the utility remaining in the razor.

Here on SRP, though we may or may not collect multiple razors, our primary purpose is shaving with them.

Cheers guys. I do use a straight razor in work. i have a Feather Artist Razor for obvious hygiene reasons and to avoid stropping and honing. I love the look of straight razors and am trying to build up a collection of attractive razors in a display case on the wall at work. I own a couple of decent razors, a couple of Taylors Eye Witness razors and a crown and Sword. and a load of purely decorative vintage razors. Now i know about the celluloid rot, the american razor will certainly be taken out of the display case.
Cheers to everyone for their advice and information

If it is for display, I say clean it up and keep it in a new case well away from other razors! Watch it every now and again to see if the rot progresses again. Maybe you could put a clear coating on the blade since you aren't using it that would help prevent the rot from spreading again? The main thing would be to keep the scales away from other razors!