Thread: How did I do?

I agree, can't beat the price!
Even if there was no blade, you have vintage collars that look intact, horn scales that need little work. Good deal with those alone.
And then there's also a blade that could be made to shave at least.
Most antique stores seem to think they struck gold and want to cash in on straight razors with ridiculous prices.

Thanks. I agree on the price of some razors, I think 99% of the time what they want is way too much. In my observation it seems to be one of two things, most of the time people think the blades are worth to much. In other instances they don't know what they are worth and pick an arbitrary price that is too high. One small store had about 20-25 some razors for sale in one the display cases all were at $20.00 each. Most of them had some significant, non-repairable damage to the edge, large chips, cracks and more but were priced the same as the 5 or 6 that had no damage.

In some ways that isn't always bad because if everything were this cheap I'd probably have to add on to my house to accommodate my collection. It's hard to resist good deals so in a way it also ensures that there are numbers to the left of the decimal in my bank account.

When the Apocalypse comes, the only things that will survive are cockroaches and Wade & Butcher razors. They can take a joke.

The scales, pins, and collars on that piece look very solid. Bugs haven't chewed it up, it's not cracked or dried up or split. No ugly deep corrosion, rust, or chips. Soak the horn scales in mineral oil, they will come back like new with a little polishing and care. The blade has seen some misuse, but is 100% saveable with some tape and patient honing IMO. For $5, you stole it. There's only upside here. I would have paid $20 - $25 myself, just to have the chance to work with it and bring it back. For less than the price of a McDonald's Happy Meal, you bought fine vintage British steel with potential.

I like "When the Apocalypse come, the only things that will survive are cockroaches and Wade & Butcher razors" I'll have to remember that.

The original bevel is high... Like really high. TC was right, someone had it on a rough stone or has taken a file to it. Might have to get a few layers of tape on the spine when it comes time for honing. Those pins are nice, I'd save those!

If a file cut the steel it's probably too soft to be a razor. Most likely just a heavy hand on a course stone. The hone wear pattern appears fairly even. Added a couple layers of tape to the spine and put it on a 1K.