Antique shops and vintage razors

[Kentb]

I'm a newbie, so please have patience if this question and discussion has happened many times before:

When looking at vintage razors at antique shops, both SE and DE, and I'm not familiar with the brand, what should I look for and consider before purchasing one? I was at an antique shop the other day and saw a couple SE razors for $20 each and when I inspected them, the scales were attractive and the blades weren't chipped or rusty, so I suspect they might be able to be sharpened and be usable. Sorry I can't remember the brands... I might go back and pick them up before someone else does. There was also a couple old Gillette DE razors for $12 and they still looked in fine shape.

 

[shavefreak]

The best thing you can do is look for a name on them and search ebay or google to figure out what they are. Taking a picture with your cell phone is the best way to reference. Blades should not matter at all unless we are talking early lather catcher type razors with original blades that had to be honed. They would be funny old looking large razors with a big open concave with the blade on top curving into the handle. They would typically have a lot of engraving on the back with the name Kampfe, Star razor, also everready and gem cutlery. Google Kampfe and lather cathers and get a look at that style. Those are the true antiques.

For gem 1912, google that razor and micromatic. These are great for shaving but are a dime a dozen. The Rolls razor in a metal flat case are a dime a dozen, pass those up. For the gillettes the adjustible types with the dial is a good place to start. Aristocrat, learn fatboy vs super adjustable by the bottom of the handle. There is too much to know in a post here but as your starting I would try for the nice cased/box sets. If anything looks nice and old in the $20.00 $25.00 range cased it should be a decent gamble. Loose razors can be a dime a dozen so until you know what you are looking for don't buy research it first. I will often walk around a store and use my phone to check value, (completed/sold listing of course).

 

[Shutterbug57]

I think the OP means SR when he is using SE. OP - SE here normally means single edge safety razors, DE is double edge safety razors & SR ot Straights are straight razors. If I have misunderstood your post, I apologize. If you meant single edge by SE, then you can just replace the blades with new blades.

For $12, possibly less if you negotiate, a vintage Gillette in good condition may be a good starter razor. If it is an open comb - looks like a comb on the edges of the head, you may want to steer clear as a starter razor. If it had a solid bar on the sides of the head, it could be a good starter razor.

 

[SteveWY]

That said, $20 for any straight in usable condition is a good deal. Most SE razors should be in the $5-$15 range. User-grade DEs in the $10-$15 range, very good/mint - $15-$20. I can't go much over these prices unless the razor is mint and/or comes with original case.

 

[Dalejr]

Some places have good deals and some that use ebay as a guide are way over priced. A razor is worth whatever someone values and wants to pay for it.

 

[Kentb]

I think the OP means SR when he is using SE. OP - SE here normally means single edge safety razors, DE is double edge safety razors & SR ot Straights are straight razors. If I have misunderstood your post, I apologize. If you meant single edge by SE, then you can just replace the blades with new blades.

For $12, possibly less if you negotiate, a vintage Gillette in good condition may be a good starter razor. If it is an open comb - looks like a comb on the edges of the head, you may want to steer clear as a starter razor. If it had a solid bar on the sides of the head, it could be a good starter razor.

Ahh, OK. Yes, I was using SE incorrectly. Being new, I still don't know all the acronyms yet (What does OP mean?) Thanks for the advice about single and double edge razors. What should I look for in a straight razor? SR?

 

[Shutterbug57]

OP = Original Post or Original Poster depending on context.

As far as what to look for in a SR, wow, that is a question. I am still a newbie at SRs, so probably not the best person to ask, although I do have preferences.

You have the blade width from spine to edge, generally measured in 8th inch segments. A 5/8, 6/8 or 7/8 are popular. Also, so is 13/16 - just in case you thought this was going to be too easy.

You have different point configurations, round, spike, with or without a barbers notch, etc and others. They function slightly differently and they all have their pros and cons.

You have grind which is the geometry of the blade when viewed from the end. This goes from full wedge to full hollow. The wedge is pretty descriptive, but the hollow is not. Generally the more ground out the sides of the blade are, the closer to full hollow it will be and the longer the skinny part of the blade is when measured from the edge to the spine. These all have different feels and characteristics. Many prefer full hollow while some prefer near wedge.

There are many other things to look for, stainless versus carbon steel, vintage versus modern, what vintage makers to go with on the cheap and what are going to demand more $$$.

All the above is a YMMV thing (Your mileage may vary). I strongly suggest that you go to the SR section of this forum and do some serious reading prior to buying. If economy is your thing, there are some ways to get a good straight fairly inexpensively, but figure out at least an educated guess as to what you would like before buying. The SR section of this forum is a great place to do that learning.

 

[Mike H]

Ahh, OK. Yes, I was using SE incorrectly. Being new, I still don't know all the acronyms yet (What does OP mean?) Thanks for the advice about single and double edge razors. What should I look for in a straight razor? SR?

OP is "Original Poster", in this case you.
What to look for in used straight razors can be found in the wiki here.

 

[Kentb]

OP is "Original Poster", in this case you.
What to look for in used straight razors can be found in the wiki here.

Wow! I just looked at the link. Thanks!!