Thread: Some old russians

I've been looking for straight razors where I live here in Ukraine for several months but hadn't found anything in my area. I lucked out the other day though during a trip to a city in the west Lviv, at a vintage market there. I found four razors of pretty decent quality, I think, and have got them a bit cleaned up for a straight razor place debut.

They are all of soviet make,
- Chika, the one with the thin blade, vintage condition.
- Raketa, that's the one with the little rocket, the blade on this one has some staining but is pretty decent
- ekctron, (my transliteration), also pretty decent condition
- and a N7 from stez, which is I think in quite good condition and the one I'm planning on trying to put to use.

How'd I do on these, do the blades look like there in good enough condition? These aren't types of razors that I think are really gorgeous, the plastic scales just don't do it for me. I'm planning on getting one or two honed up and thinking about ebaying a few of them, does anybody have an idea how much they'd sell for? Anybody else have soviet razors like these or know anything about them?

Jeff, as a rule we don't give monetary valuations here on SRP. One man's garbage is another's gold cache, and leads to arguments.
That having been said, I think you've made quite a good score on those blades! Hone 'em up and have fun shaving with them! I'd PM Manah or Neil Miller to learn their lineage. They're just about the most knowledgeable members here on matters of provenance.

Those razors look like they are in good working condition. Have them honed by a pro and enjoy them as I have never met a Russian blade that didn't shave well.

Hi Jeff
Welcome to Ukraine
As for the STR8s you have
Both - PAKETA (rocket) and #7 are from СТИЗ (Завод Стальных Изделий) - Steel Cutlery Factory.
#7 was made in 1952.
About other two - can't tell anything before I see the tangs

You done good! If the steel at the bevel is still good you did very good! Get them professionally honed! They will hold an edge for a very long time. They can be a bit of a pain to hone, but well worth the trouble. The Russians achieved a world beating alloying and metal working infrastructure back in those days! and they still do good work. The razors may be plain but they do give yeoman service! I have three that wil be passed on to later generations.
~Richard

Jeff, I have a Raketa just like the one in your pictures. Mine is in a slightly better state.

Congrats for your findings. Good looking razors.
I've been traveling some in former Baltia (Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia) as well as in Poland. You can usually find vintage Russian or German (ww2 era)razors from antique shops and flea markets for a coin or two.
I have two Russians (Soviet) and i guess both were made for export. Usually everything made for export, be it razors, optics or whatever was #1 quality. Those made for domestic trade maybe always wasn't.
I still have a Soviet made table metal lathe made in 1970's or so. So much better than those modern lathes we have at work these days.