Thread: Help needed, bought a whole collection of old razors

Originally Posted by Agapil

Hi guys
I bought a business in Switzerland. Shop came filled with a lot of old items, included was a whole collection of straight razors. Some are very beautiful and super super old, do you know where I could get those valued?
Thank you

Congratulations! I hope your new business will (continue to) be successful.

Now, this "whole collection of straight razors." How many? 25? 50? 100? more?

Is your intention to sell all of them? Most of them? Some?

Regarding others' suggestions to sell them on eBay: I'd avoid that for now, for several reasons:

• Regardless of their age, appearance, or worth, nothing sells without photos. GOOD photos -- clear, focused photos -- and a variety of them (front, back -- of blade and scales, as well as "head-on" at the tip of the blade, showing the grind). That's a lot of work -- are you able and prepared to do that?
• Do you "have a handle" on what they are? That is, there's an old American baseball saying, that you "Can't tell the players without a program" (a pamphlet). If you don't know -- at more than a cursory level -- what you've got, then you can't really "sell" them to prospective buyers. You might have a "gem", but end up selling it for the proverbial "peanuts". IOW, if you don't know, then self-education can be a long, difficult, and time-consuming road.
• Finally (but by no means last), are you a "known quantity" on eBay (or any other selling venue)? If prospective buyers don't know whom you are, they'll either give your merchandise a pass, or low-ball you. As well, do you have experience selling on eBay (or elsewhere)? That's also a "long and winding road", and not for the faint-of-heart. How will you offer them? Auction? Buy-It-Now? Best Offer? You could end up selling some for far less than they're worth.

I could go on, but it's my opinion that -- regardless of whether you want to keep or sell them -- your first step should be to photograph them.

• If you plan to sell them, you'll need photos.
• If you plan to keep them (any or all), it's important to have "before" photos, to provide context for the "after" photos (assuming you'll clean, etc. some or all).
• In all cases, photographs are one of the prerequisites for cataloging your collection. It's easier to keep-track-of and control what you've got, with photographs.

I'm sure others will agree with what I've written... or not; as well, there's more to add. I hope these thoughts will help you get started.

Good luck!