Thread: It never hurts to ask.

Was out shopping and stopped in to an antique store this afternoon, but upon entering came to find that they mainly specialized furniture restoration and glass bottles. On the way out I asked the owner if he ever had straights come in. He made a shaving motion towards his face and said that he never buys them. As I was about to leave he said, "but if you don't mind waiting a moment, I have a bunch in the house." He came out with an old tobacco can full of razors. Some were in a really poor state. However, I did end up leaving with a Boker that reads 'Damascus Magnetic Steel" A W&B that is etched with 'The Ringer" another W&B that is in some need of work, and a Wostenhold pipe. I've been in to a lot of shops lately and have some decent luck. But, if i wouldn't have taken the time to ask today, they probably would have sat in that old can rotting away.

Now if only we could see some pics so we can share your joy!

We need razor porn!

Yup, instead of poking around, I always ask the proprietor directly.

I like to poke around a bit first, & enjoy the warm feeling of hope for a while, before i ask & it quickly evaporates!
Never much luck round here.

I picked up my nice ERN from an antique store. When I askes about straight razors he gave me a weird look and promptly said "there are cheaper ways to shave". Nevertheless, he lead me over to an old cabinet, unlocked it, and presented me with a handfull of straights!! Mainly were in bad condition, but this one nice ERN was in the bunch and it looked like it was never honed. Needed new scales, but well worth the $25 IMO.

You're right, it never hurts to ask.

I hit three antique shops locally a couple weeks ago. alll crap. actually I hit four, but one didn't have any (I don't like antiques in general so I go straight to the person at the counter and ask). of the other three 2 had junk and 1 had one closed in a case but had an 85 dollar tag and rust showing so I didn't even bother.

there an interesting menageree there in "old town" that carry mostly country crap. I'm going to start hitting out of town shops when I travel for work. I seem to remember pleasanton, ca has some great antique shops.

Red

The past three or four antique stores I've stopped at have resulted in paydirt (I got an under priced DD Goldedge one visit). That reminds me, I need to ask you guys about what I should do for restoration....unless someone wants to take a project up

Ive done well in the antiques stores myself. Last week i picked up a dubl duck spcl #1 for 25 bucks in great condition. Hit it with some maas honed it and shaved with it. what a good razor. Also a really nice lindy razor that was just about mint for 30

We need some razor porn for the purchase in this thread!

I prefer the local shops over the online auctions. Prices are a lot better for the most part and I get to see exactly what I am getting. Once I find it the purchase is instant. I have scored big on Ebay at times, but they are far and few between.

My camera is crap, but I will try and take pictures when I get home tonight. I've been to shops all over the place, lately and have had some decent luck with shops actually carrying straights. Not always in great condition, but most are worth the bit of work. Seems that there are a few people in my area that frequent the shops and buy everything in sight. I've ended up with 13, sofar. Just a few weeks ago I bought my first. lol Addictive is a very mild word.