Thread: Huge vintage straight razor lot

Originally Posted by Magpie

So what your REALLY saying is, "Next time you see me bidding on a razor lot, Make SURE you bid up the auction really high, because I dont mind paying full value for my razors"

I'm not sure what "Full Value" means for a razor or razors that have been out of production for centuries? Because I don't bid on any razors that are still in production today.

So do you mean "full value" as per (A) what it originally cost in the 1800's or do you mean "full value" as in (B) adjusted for todays rate of inflation?

If by full value, you mean what it cost to be made back in the 1800's when the "CATALOGUE OF THE NATIONAL MERCHANDISE SUPPLY COMPANY 1892"—a purveyor of a broad assortment of merchandise which also offered discounts for membership (sort of a Victorian-era Costco) sold them then...

The razors being offered below on this page were all by reputable makers that are in high-demand by wet-shavers today. On this single page are listed the following razors, the retail price and the special 'member price.'
I've also included what these prices equate to in today's (2017) dollars.

Joseph Rodgers & Sons razor 6/8" hollow-ground in black horn; Retail price: $2.00 Member price: $1.30 (adjusted for inflation in today's dollars: Reg $52.00/ Mem $33.66)

DePew Patent Balance Handle razor 5/8 or 6/8" 'monkey-tail' with black horn scales; Retail price: $2.25 Member price: $1.40 (adjusted for inflation in today's dollars: Reg $58.25/ Mem $36.24)

George Wostenholm & Son's IXL 'Pipe' razor 5/8" black horn scales; Retail price: $1.80 Member price: $1.15 (adjusted for inflation in today's dollars: Reg $46.00/ Mem $29.77)

Wade & Butcher 'Hollow Ground' razor 7/8" hollow point (barber's notch in today's jargon) black horn scales; Retail price: $1.50 Member price: $0.95 (adjusted for inflation in today's dollars: Reg $38.83/ Mem $24.59)

I would say - yes I can afford that in either (A) or (B) or (C) All situations

Stolen info to make me look smart is found here

LOL

Cheetah

I WILL say you will pay-up, Cheetah!

Someday, I will have to sell you all of mine!

Originally Posted by cheetahmeatpheonix

Thanks for stopping by Mr. Monster. Always a friend to the room.
Any useful info about any of the items listed that people may not know about?

I’d guess the whole set was a barber’s, likely early 1900’s — that stropper gizmo was for early disposable blades.

The bigguns are late 1800’s, maybe early 1900’s. They’re legit huge. Unusually so.

The current best guess is that razors like that were genuinely aimed at barbers (see all the For Barber’s Use variants) because being super large they could be repeatedly reground and thus would have longer life when they got used over and over again every day.

There are at least two other distinct styles of huge razors.

One, the display razor, were never meant to be used (and I’m not even sure they can be), but they’re also completely brobdingnagian. Multiple feet long.

The other were ... something else. All the examples I’ve seen are from the first couple decades of 1800. They are like a normal 8/8 or so, but scaled up 20-30% in all regards. The blades aren’t just wider, they’re longer as well and some even have larger assembly hardware on the scales.




(Scale on that is metric)

There were also similarly ‘scaled up’ smaller razors. So, like a 6/8 blade shape scaled up until it’s 8/8ish.



(Those are both just shy of 8/8)

Originally Posted by Voidmonster

I’d guess the whole set was a barber’s, likely early 1900’s — that stropper gizmo was for early disposable blades.

The bigguns are late 1800’s, maybe early 1900’s. They’re legit huge. Unusually so.

The current best guess is that razors like that were genuinely aimed at barbers (see all the For Barber’s Use variants) because being super large they could be repeatedly reground and thus would have longer life when they got used over and over again every day.

There are at least two other distinct styles of huge razors.

One, the display razor, were never meant to be used (and I’m not even sure they can be), but they’re also completely brobdingnagian. Multiple feet long.

The other were ... something else. All the examples I’ve seen are from the first couple decades of 1800. They are like a normal 8/8 or so, but scaled up 20-30% in all regards. The blades aren’t just wider, they’re longer as well and some even have larger assembly hardware on the scales.




(Scale on that is metric)

There were also similarly ‘scaled up’ smaller razors. So, like a 6/8 blade shape scaled up until it’s 8/8ish.



(Those are both just shy of 8/8)

I really like the 2nd razor.

Originally Posted by randydance062449

I really like the 2nd razor.

It’s an absurd beast of a thing. Never seen another from the maker.

Originally Posted by Voidmonster

I’d guess the whole set was a barber’s, likely early 1900’s — that stropper gizmo was for early disposable blades.

The bigguns are late 1800’s, maybe early 1900’s. They’re legit huge. Unusually so.

The current best guess is that razors like that were genuinely aimed at barbers (see all the For Barber’s Use variants) because being super large they could be repeatedly reground and thus would have longer life when they got used over and over again every day.

There are at least two other distinct styles of huge razors.

One, the display razor, were never meant to be used (and I’m not even sure they can be), but they’re also completely brobdingnagian. Multiple feet long.

The other were ... something else. All the examples I’ve seen are from the first couple decades of 1800. They are like a normal 8/8 or so, but scaled up 20-30% in all regards. The blades aren’t just wider, they’re longer as well and some even have larger assembly hardware on the scales.




(Scale on that is metric)

There were also similarly ‘scaled up’ smaller razors. So, like a 6/8 blade shape scaled up until it’s 8/8ish.



(Those are both just shy of 8/8)

Thank you kind sir, for your help.

Since people are asking to see detail shots of the items from the lot I will continue to slowly unbox them. It's alittle annoying cause each item is wrapped in about 3 feet of newspaper. The next item up is displayed in detail here.

Thanks

Cheetah

This is one of the smaller razors from the lot that I won recently. You can find the detailed thread here.

Best efforts to describe it:

15/16 George Wostenholm & Sons Celebrated I * XL Wedge Razor w/ Barbers Notch & engraved scales. Since the stamp reads "& Sons" and the place of manufacture is Washington Works, Sheffield the earliest that this razor could have been made is around 1847.

Overall, for its age, the razor is in good condition. No hone wear. No signs of active rust but there is a heavy patina that covers the blade totally. As well as some dark devil's spit on the back face of the blade.

Thanks

Cheetah

Every newbie should be required to find and buy a huge lot like this...LOL. This lot has everything you need to get started. There have been some gems that come to light and this is one of them.

A little history in a 125 page book. Of course it's out of date when it comes to the pricing section but the knowledge gained is amazing. Great for train rides to and from work.

A few more pages found Here


Thanks

Cheetah

Digging deeper in the box that keeps on giving I found this.

Best efforts to describe it:

7/8 Manhattan Cutlery Co. Sheffield Razor with Faux tortoise Shell scales.
From the history of John Newton & Co.:
"The firm was a merchant, which sold table an pocket cutlery, Bowie knives, and razors. These were sold in America through the New York cutlery importer H. Boker."
From the H.Böker & Co. history:
"1868 - Knives marked for the Manhattan Cutlery Co. were imported from Sheffield, England, until 1916.".

Overall, for its age, the razor is in good condition. Some hone wear. No signs of rust. The small pivot pin is reasonably tight. The wedge pin is tight. There is some back and forth play when opening and closing the razor. The faux tortoise scales are in good condition but there is no metal wedge. Not really sure if there's supposed to be.

The near wedge blade is not sharp to the touch. The stamp on the tang is deep but not precise. Half is not legible.

More pics here

Thanks for looking.