Thread: Antique stores...where most razors go to die

Originally Posted by Natz

We have a couple antique stores around my neighborhood which I went to, and I asked the lady at both Main Antiques and this one other antiquities dealer who showed me a bunch of razors; I feel like a monkey with a typewritter and no knowledge of Shakespeare when it comes to the whole good/bad/ugly side of razor shopping. Also looked at yard sales, but the only thing that I can find there once in a blue moon is a DE razor, which I'm not really all that interested in. I'll check other sources, but once again, I don't know really what is really a good buy and what is a "good buy" if you get what I'm saying.

Grasshaopper,You should be looking at D.E.s to fund straight buys,In the past 5 yrs I have found one NOS bottom dial fatboy,orig box and papers and two toggles in orig boxes,selling them allowed me buy some very nice straights

Originally Posted by Natz

We have a couple antique stores around my neighborhood which I went to, and I asked the lady at both Main Antiques and this one other antiquities dealer who showed me a bunch of razors; I feel like a monkey with a typewritter and no knowledge of Shakespeare when it comes to the whole good/bad/ugly side of razor shopping. Also looked at yard sales, but the only thing that I can find there once in a blue moon is a DE razor, which I'm not really all that interested in. I'll check other sources, but once again, I don't know really what is really a good buy and what is a "good buy" if you get what I'm saying.

This forum will teach you everything you need to know about buying straight razors, antique stores or otherwise.
Use the "Advance Search" button , upper right, put in key words of interest & let the journey begin.

Too bad there's not a "Vintage Straight Razor Shopping for Dummies" book somewhere. I'd buy it in a heartbeat.

There is a razor shopping for Dummies, Its called Ebay 101, the first 6 pages

Even better go to the Estate sales especially when the deceased was an old person (har har). That's the best place to find straights in great condition.

Originally Posted by Magpie

There is a razor shopping for Dummies, Its called Ebay 101, the first 6 pages

Can't seem to find this online...could you post a link? Thanks!

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Even better go to the Estate sales especially when the deceased was an old person (har har). That's the best place to find straights in great condition.

Only issue with that is that all the straights seem to get snapped up before I can get there. I guess they're in high demand?

Originally Posted by Hirlau

This forum will teach you everything you need to know about buying straight razors, antique stores or otherwise.
Use the "Advance Search" button , upper right, put in key words of interest & let the journey begin.

The Advance Search is kinda confusing for someone as technologically challenged as I am. Sorry to say. I know the basics of the anatomy of a razor and the difference between hollow and wedge, but as far as brand knowledge I'm stumped.

The antique stores around where I live are more for tourists and way overpriced. They seem to have a fair number of straights but anything in half decent condition probably has a >$100 price tag on it. I had some decent luck recently on e-bay but I was only looking for a couple good shavers at good prices so I could try straights without spending a fortune.

The eBay 101 thread was a great place to learn what to look for. I had no idea what I was doing but I did ok after reading that.

Find small,mom and pop antique stores in small towns,the big co-ops are off the wall.