Thread: First Antique Shop Outing, First Find :D

Today, after my first ever straight razor shave I was feeling rather cheated by the fact that my first ever shave was using a shavette (Fromm hair shaper) so i headed to my local antiques store and found this gem hiding in a cabinet for 10$
I snatched it up immediately, you guys tell me what i get since i don't know very much at all.

I'm looking at maybe restoring this razor myself. It is still extremely sharp, but i know i have some work in front of me.

It has some life left in it but if it was me I would say polish it with a metal polish such as Maas or semichrome on a paper towel and call it good. Send it out for pro honing. A pro honed razor will give you something to shave with and to judge your own efforts when you start honing your next finds. Member services in the classifieds lists members who hone for a nominal fee.

Thank you so much for the quick reply. I'm now really glad i bought this razor.
I'll polish it up and get in touch with someone for honing as i save up for all the other tools required to really get some use out of it.
Is there any information on this razor manufacturer? I have found very little on the internet so far.

There was an Imperial that made razors and other cutlery out of Providence, RI but there were a few others too. I can't read the stamping on the tang too clearly. If you could post the stampings on the razor someone might have more info.

For what i can make out on the stamping it says:

Imperial Razor
Warranted
Registered 20507
Germany

Looks to be 5/8.

Here's some more pictures.

Nice find Looks like it will clean up right nicely

Yep. I say just polish it up and send it out for a hone. Ya see...all those expensive razors out there and this little guy will shave every bit as well as one of those fancy expensive new razors! nice find.

I have 2 of them and they shave great, next to nothing invested in them as well

I'm glad that my first ever antique shop outing ended up with such a sweet find. Thanks for the advice everyone, one last question tho: is there any honing services out here in california? I would like to have it honed locally.

Can't help you with local, but if you drive to Fresno, I'll sure hook you up.