Thread: Boker "Columbian Centennial" -- what next?

What happens when a newbie falls into the deep end? . . .

I just bought (really cheap) a Boker razor, engraved with "World's Columbian Exposition, 1893". I think this was "beginner's luck" at the local flea market -- it's my third razor.

The blade is in good shape -- lots of patina, but very little rust, with a decent edge. The design is etched (or engraved) into the blade, not printed-on.

One of the scales is broken off at the pivot.

Here's my dilemma. If it were a plain Boker, I'd clean it up, have it re-scaled, sharpen it, and use it. But that "Columbian Exposition" design complicates things.

Questions for whomever knows:

1. Does the razor have any "collectible" value because it's a Columbian Exposition commemorative? Or is it "just another Boker" ? [No, I'm not asking for a valuation . . .<g> ]

2. If it does have "collectible" value, will I reduce the value by using Flitz on the blade to get rid of some patina? The design is etched pretty deeply; it won't be damaged.

3. If it does have "collectible" value, will I reduce the value by getting a new pair of scales (rendering the razor "not original") ?

This is a whole new world to me . . . Thanks for any help you can offer.

Charles

Hi Charles,

I don't know if they are rare or not, but I've seen these razors pop up on ebay and other places now and again.

Originally Posted by cpcohen1945

Here's my dilemma. If it were a plain Boker, I'd clean it up, have it re-scaled, sharpen it, and use it. But that "Columbian Exposition" design complicates things.

Charles

It was never a dilemma for me. I have one I'm doing exactly that to right now. I just need to finish my scales. I bought it because

a) it's a Boker and I didn't have one until then,
b) it looks cool to me, and
c) I wanted to shave with it.

I guess for most "antique and collectable" items, the conventional wisdom is to not do anything to it. As for me, I'm just looking forward to the shave.

Sorry I can't be of more help.

I can solve your problem; just send it to me and let me worry about it. LOL!

But seriously, Bokers are some fine shavers, I have 4 and another on the way. Knowing how well they shave would make the decision as to what to do with yours that much harder. As far as what cleaning it up would do to the value, I'll leave that to another member more experienced that I to chime in.

I'm not sure if this helps or not but I have a rare razor, a Sanssouci (see pics) that I have only seen one other of and it belongs to a fellow member. It was fairly clean when I got it but I did some more work on it, honed her up and since it was such a fine shaver I keep it in my rotation. I'm not a collector, I shave with what I have but it's a good feeling knowing I shave with something not every one else has.

Nice score! Good luck on your decision.............

Another "Columbian Centennial" razor (not a Boker) recently sold on eBay for around $30. So they're not rare, or valuable.

I found a set of Thiers Issard scales for $16 at "Fendrihan" -- a Canadian dealer, which is good for me. They're on their way to me. [I _hope_ Fendriham is an advertiser here -- I'll check and suggest it, if not.]

So I'll be putting them on the Boker, cleaning, honing, and using it.

Thanks everybody - - -

Charles