Antique stores...where most razors go to die

I'm not saying that there's not some diamonds in the rough out there in the antique shops, but OMG...I went to my local antique shop and the razors there were so mistreated that I got a little misty-eyed. Deep pits, excessive hone wear, and chipped blades were just a few of the horrors that I saw there.

My thing is that I want to get a nice vintage razor of good/great quality and historical value that I can shave with and maybe pass down to my kids when I'm old and grey, but I'm starting to think that such a thing is going to be really hard to find. Any suggestions on where I may go, or do I just need to keep my eyes peeled?

Check the classifieds here,
what exactly are you chasing after as far as style age etc.

I'm curious to know myself. :)

I think just the opposite about antique stores. Yes, there are some horribly treated razors on the shelves, but many diamonds in the rough are waiting to be found in antique stores. Search the forum for the beauties that have been found on the shelves.
I've searched the same stores & four months later found a beauty recently added.

I view antique stores as the "Klondike" of straight razors, ya gotta keep diggin ! ;)

When you are out hunting for razors in antique stores there are several things to keep in mind.

1. Persistence - You can't walk into a couple of antique stores on a Saturday afternoon and expect to find the mother lode. Go back at least once a month. These dealers don't order their items from an antiques catalog, they depend on turnover and are replenishing their stock constantly.

2. ASK!!!! Always ask if they have any straight razors. Most antique dealers are women and they tend to focus on the items that interest them when they are buying stock. If you ask about straight razors each time you are in the store, this could plant a seed and the next time they come across one they may pick it up with you in mind instead of pushing it aside to pick up a piece of collectible glass or some costume jewelry.

3. Leave your name and number. Most dealers keep a list of people who are looking for certain items. If they know you are serious, you may be surprised one day by a phone call. You are under no obligation to buy anything, especially if it is a piece of crap. But it will afford you the opportunity to explain just what it is that you are looking for.

4. Don't depend just on antique stores. Flea markets, swap meets, yard sales, local auction houses, Craig's List, or a "wanted to buy" ad in the local newspaper. All of these are potential sources. There are lots of folks who have grandpa's razor tucked away and have no idea that there might be someone in the neighborhood that might actually be interested in having it.

I have picked up over 300 razors using these methods and can attest that antique shops aren't all graveyards for razors. Some are just a resting place where they are waiting for you to come and save them from a lonely demise.

Regards - Walt

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Originally Posted by pfries

Check the classifieds here,
what exactly are you chasing after as far as style age etc.

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Well, I guess I didn't give it much thought. The only thing concrete is the age range. I'm looking for something mid 1800's to maybe early 1900's. I'm not a pro (or even a novice) as far as what to look for brand-wise; I'm going off of the "Good Brands/ Brands to avoid" suggestions list on the site. None of them were ones that I saw there, minus a horrible looking Wostenholm George & Son with a cracked blade and scales bit by the blade repeatedly. For all I know, I might be missing a diamond in the rough right under my nose. There's not much literature on vintage straight razors as I'd like to see. Maybe if I knew how to look, I'd be better off?

Other things I'm looking for: Spike point, straight spine/edge, and relatively light to the touch (not looking for a hefty cleaver). My "ideal" razor scales would be Mother-of-Pearl (probably going to be too pricey for that though) or Metal or something in black/silver/white. I dunno, the plastic ones look cheap in my opinion, but I might be missing something.

Could someone possibly point me in the direction of some great literature where I can brush up on my brand knowledge? There seems to be so many out there in the heyday, and I don't want to get skunked on a crap razor.

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Originally Posted by Hirlau

I think just the opposite about antique stores. Yes, there are some horribly treated razors on the shelves, but many diamonds in the rough are waiting to be found in antique stores. Search the forum for the beauties that have been found on the shelves.
I've searched the same stores & four months later found a beauty recently added.

I view antique stores as the "Klondike" of straight razors, ya gotta keep diggin ! ;)

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Totally agree with you on the "razor hunt" for the beauties, but how do you know what to look for? Are you looking for something just aesthetically pleasing, or do you have criteria which you use when you look?

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Originally Posted by Walt

When you are out hunting for razors in antique stores there are several things to keep in mind.

1. Persistence - You can't walk into a couple of antique stores on a Saturday afternoon and expect to find the mother lode. Go back at least once a month. These dealers don't order their items from an antiques catalog, they depend on turnover and are replenishing their stock constantly.

2. ASK!!!! Always ask if they have any straight razors. Most antique dealers are women and they tend to focus on the items that interest them when they are buying stock. If you ask about straight razors each time you are in the store, this could plant a seed and the next time they come across one they may pick it up with you in mind instead of pushing it aside to pick up a piece of collectible glass or some costume jewelry.

3. Leave your name and number. Most dealers keep a list of people who are looking for certain items. If they know you are serious, you may be surprised one day by a phone call. You are under no obligation to buy anything, especially if it is a piece of crap. But it will afford you the opportunity to explain just what it is that you are looking for.

4. Don't depend just on antique stores. Flea markets, swap meets, yard sales, local auction houses, Craig's List, or a "wanted to buy" ad in the local newspaper. All of these are potential sources. There are lots of folks who have grandpa's razor tucked away and have no idea that there might be someone in the neighborhood that might actually be interested in having it.

I have picked up over 300 razors using these methods and can attest that antique shops aren't all graveyards for razors. Some are just a resting place where they are waiting for you to come and save them from a lonely demise.

Regards - Walt

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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 ":deal:good buy" if you get what I'm saying.

I went in an antique shop today while I am in small town Alabama and they had a few decent razors. Unfortunately they knew what they had. I did pick up this Torrey for about $27. They had a couple Blue Steels in bad shape. Attachment 133027

I'm in NY and have never found a straight razor in any condition in any thrift or antique shop. So that leaves me with eBay. I'm done buying I think. Unless something hits me right between the eyes!

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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 ":deal:good buy" if you get what I'm saying.

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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:)

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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 ":deal:good buy" if you get what I'm saying.

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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.

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Originally Posted by Magpie

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

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

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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.

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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?

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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.

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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.

Finding nice razors at a decent price is a black art and takes some work.

I have around 25 straights now, all came from antique stores except 2 and I have some that are very nice razors. When I go out antique shopping its always hit or miss. I planned a trip on a weekend one time and hit 7 antique stores and found absolutely nothing. Other times I hit one randomly, because I have an hour to kill and found some beauties. Remember that rust on the blade can be removed, rust on the edge is a gamble, and broken scales can be replaced. Some warped blades can be honed and some can't.

Hone wear is another story. some have too much on the toe and some have too much on the heel. Some just have TOO MUCH. A keen eye is needed to see what is ok and what isn't.

Don't give up on it yet. When you find one that's in good condition it's like winning at the poker table. At least that's the same feeling I get when I find one. The latest blade I found at an antique store was a 7/8's Crown & Sword ERN that I got for $25. Made me a very happy guy.:D

I think the key is to let some straights die,you see far to many on this site bought by newbs that are total, non-salvegable junk.

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Originally Posted by pfries

Check the classifieds here,
what exactly are you chasing after as far as style age etc.

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I agree. This is probably the safest place to get a good deal on a good razor. The majority of razors I've purchased are here in the Classifieds.

I have not had luck at antique stores. I visit the local stores periodically and I usually walk away disappointed at the selection and the prices. Shaving items are few and far between, and usually what I would consider to be overpriced and usually not in good condition.

I have also heard negative feedback about ebay from a couple of people who are long time sellers there. I told one of them that I was looking at what he was selling from three different sellers, and I bought from him because he was the only one who responded to any of my inquiries. There seem to be more shoddy offerings and price gouging on certain items.

I've had my son in law keep his eyes open as he runs the flea markets and thrift stores. Today he brought me a double duck (satin) he got for $10.00. The scales were bowed a decent amount but I got those straight this evening. The blade is in decent shape with a little surface rust. Now I just need to polish some and learn how to hone.hehe

Make sure that the surface rusr you are seeing is not cell rot. These scales are notorious for gassing. I've had two SatinEdges that gassed a year or two after I bought them. One was in a cigar box with several other razors which were also affected by the rot. Better to be on the save side and keep it isolated from any other razor . . . . just in case.

Regards - Walt

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Originally Posted by Walt

Make sure that the surface rusr you are seeing is not cell rot. These scales are notorious for gassing. I've had two SatinEdges that gassed a year or two after I bought them. One was in a cigar box with several other razors which were also affected by the rot. Better to be on the save side and keep it isolated from any other razor . . . . just in case.

Regards - Walt

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Thanks Walt, will do.

You can always post some good quality photos of both sides of your potential purchase and ask for opinions. The mentors, and the community in general are a pretty helpful bunch

Great idea Ed. I may do that next time I'm out and about. How quick are most people to respond if I'd post?

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Originally Posted by edhewitt

You can always post some good quality photos of both sides of your potential purchase and ask for opinions. The mentors, and the community in general are a pretty helpful bunch

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Generally pretty quick.
I would not try it with minutes to go, but 8-12hrs or so (pending auction end time) you should have plenty of solid feed back.