A hunting we will go . . .
Pics will follow, but here is the trip report.
SWMBO and I left at around 0900 for a day of cruising the antique malls within an hour of home. I came away with the following purchases:
45x loupe with both LED and UV bulbs. Not the greatest piece of kit, but it does the job and, for $15.00, it'll do.
Razor #1 - Unknown maker - blade is etched with the following: "Americans give the hand of fellowship and universal brotherhood to all nations. Blade etching is about 75% solid. This razor is a 5/8 barber's notch wedge (1/4 hollow?) with either acrylic or bakelite scales. Scales are in decent enough shape that I do not think they need replacing just yet. I will be sending this out to have the blade honed and made shave ready. It does not need much in the way of cleaning. Very happy with this one.
Razor #2 - Challenge Cutlery (Bridgeport, CT) 6/8 full hollow, square point razor. This was purchased as a practice razor. Blade edge looks okay, one small notch in it, lots of cleaning required, the scales look old and faded. This one was purchased with an eye towards allowing me to work on restoring it to shave readiness myself, including honing.
Both razors cost a total of about $60.00. I might have paid more than what they are worth but, considering the rest of the goods on offer, and the prices asked for same, I think I did okay.
The thing I found most disappointing today was the basic fact that EVERYTHING was, to my mind, overpriced. Safety Razors with asking prices double if not triple what I paid for the identical item less than two months previous. Several safety razors in their cases asking $50+ (Valet brand, Travel Tech, Schick, etc.) As far as Straights go, this would be indicative of the day. In the second stop of the day (Southworks in Cambridge), I actually came across a Wade and Butcher "Celebrated" Straight Razor. Looked to be about a 5/8+. The engravings were very worn, and the scales were broken on one side, warped on the other. Basically you would be buying the blade only. Asking price? $65.00. Now, for someone who can do their own restorations, that may be a good price, but not for me.
We visited the Freelton Antiques Market, Southworks Antiques, and the St. Jacob's Antiques Market. St. Jacob's was the most disappointing, as they had no staff on the floor to open cabinets, meaning you had to constantly schlep back to the cash, wait until one of them was free and then go back to see what you wanted, make a decision and move on. then start the whole process over again five minutes later.