Thread: Junkers

It has become obvious to me, through the tutelage of the experienced members of this site that i am trying to learn restoration on a blade that's way to nice for my trembling newbie mitts.

Ive never really used eBay, but i just started an account and I'm wondering if there is a go to seller for junk blades, or do i just keep my eyes open?

Finding junk blades isn't that hard.... The key ting is how much do want to pay for "junkers"?
Just keep an eye peeled...... You can find some great bargains...... All depends on how "junky" of a blade you want.
You might see one straight razor you may consider to be "junk", but someone else sees it as "treasure"....thus the bidding war.
Patience and luck....... Pay attention to the shipping costs too..... A cheap razor might not be that cheap after shipping costs.

I think there are some sites out there that do offer "junker" razors...... Others I'm sure will chime in.

Knowing what constitutes a good restorable blade is of primary importance. Experience is the best teacher but here is a place to start.Purchasing straight razors - Straight Razor Place Library . Look at the sellers feedback and set a limit of how much you are willing to bid for a particular blade and stick to it. Find a mentor here on this forum and ask his opinion.

A couple of things. If you watch a lot of razors you will begging to understand what is junk and what is a great deal. You will have to try to understand what makes them junk. There are many things to avoid. Some razors have too much corrosion near the edge, others too much hone wear, then there is chips and cracks, then there is also one that have had people work on that have had all the fine lines blown by buffing and sanding. What you do want to find is razors that look close to new, but are just a little dirty. Then when you work on them you want to preserve the shape and looks of the blade. There is a ton of restoration information on this site. Start hand tools only and work up from there. You will be amazed at what you can do with steel wool and polish. Pinning and scale making are actually harder than they first appeared to be, for me anyway. I think in the end what you are looking for is undervalued razors that need help and elbow grease.

Well, don’t buy junk razors, buy the best razor you can afford. I find good name brand razors with little or no wear under $20-30, all the time, at flea markets and antique stores. The classifieds most always have nice razors in the $50 range, shave ready.

The trick is, to walk away from a cheap, trashed razor. If you get it to shave, you still have a trashed razor. If you spend a little more money or time and you get it to shave, you will have a decent shaver.

Originally Posted by RezDog

A couple of things. If you watch a lot of razors you will begging to understand what is junk and what is a great deal. You will have to try to understand what makes them junk. There are many things to avoid. Some razors have too much corrosion near the edge, others too much hone wear, then there is chips and cracks, then there is also one that have had people work on that have had all the fine lines blown by buffing and sanding. What you do want to find is razors that look close to new, but are just a little dirty. Then when you work on them you want to preserve the shape and looks of the blade. There is a ton of restoration information on this site. Start hand tools only and work up from there. You will be amazed at what you can do with steel wool and polish. Pinning and scale making are actually harder than they first appeared to be, for me anyway. I think in the end what you are looking for is undervalued razors that need help and elbow grease.

Couldn't put it any better Rez.

Originally Posted by Euclid440

Well, don’t buy junk razors, buy the best razor you can afford. I find good name brand razors with little or no wear under $20-30, all the time, at flea markets and antique stores. The classifieds most always have nice razors in the $50 range, shave ready.

The trick is, to walk away from a cheap, trashed razor. If you get it to shave, you still have a trashed razor. If you spend a little more money or time and you get it to shave, you will have a decent shaver.

Thats how iwget mine.
No ebay here.

I read the wiki article, and i've been taking that and whats been said here and applying it to my ebay hunting. I'm watching what goes up in price, how many bidders.. etc. Ill figure it out eventually. I'm sure knowing/studying actual brand names will help. I'm going to have to brush up on my SR history.

I like the flea market / antique store idea.

I think first i'm going to try to get some blades that are beyond repair. Im talking $3 actual pieces of junk.. just to practice on before i try it on the real thing.

In the meantime ill keep my eyes open for bargains..

Thanks again for the help gentlemen.

Don't think junk
Think diamonds in the rough
This is what you are looking for on line to restore

Junk will always be junk and usually problematic making learning even harder, were as a diamond needing a clean will have correct geometry etc making life a lot easier when learning,
Once a few in then look for junk to perform miracles on
JMHO

Originally Posted by Substance

Junk will always be junk and usually problematic making learning even harder, were as a diamond needing a clean will have correct geometry etc making life a lot easier when learning

That makes sense.. Ok i wont try to go bottom of the barrel.