Thread: buying razors to restore

Hi all, I'm fairly new to straight razor shaving, but I'm fascinated by razor restoration. Generally, what do you look for when looking to buy a razor to restore? Does this criteria change if you're looking to buy one to sell again once it's restored? I'd love to restore some razors once I'm a little more experienced. Thanks a lot!

Cheap prices starting off and name brands work every time...........

kinda depends what you are into. If you are more interested in blade restoration, then start with something that needs more blade work and less scale work. If you want to make scales, but not hand sand the blade, then look for a blade with no scales or cracked ones with little or no problems in the blade.

Have fun

Certain makers are more sought after and bring more at resale then others. Check out the razor clubs in the forum index and you will get a sense of what is in demand. If you can find them locally in antique or second hand stores at a reasonable price it might be profitable. In the meanwhile get the cheapest you can find to develop your skills.

I don't have the patience to put the time in necessary to restore finishes to blades or to make scales. I focus on the edges. If I were to get into the restoring game I would check out ebay . Every now and then sellers put up a handful of razors in one lot. I have also seen auctions for numerous blades sans scales in a lot every once in awhile.

I focus primarily on blade work. I enjoy starting out with a rusted and damaged blade, pouring in hour after hour to end up with a pristine blade again. It's what I do best and love.

I don't like scalework that much. I make wooden scales that look respectable, but I am definitely not a scale master like some here.