Looking in all the wrong places

[my19]

Living in a large metropolitan area, I figured finding vintage razors would be reasonably easy. Actually, I figured I'd find 'em by the dozen in every thrift store.

Naturally, I was wrong. I've been through Goodwills and Salvation Army stores, etc. I've been through multi-dealer antique malls. The only thing I found at the former were three plastic Wilkinsons. At the latter, one New Improved Gillette at a price higher than I wanted to pay.

Clearly, my strategy is off in some crucial way.

Where the heck do you find the stray Tech or Super Speed or adjustable? (Any specific directions for the Dallas area certainly appreciated!)

thnx,
Mike

 

[Hoos]

You do need to be persistent. Part of the fun, IMHO, is the hunt. I've gone months without finding anything (oh, maybe a few shabby ol' brushes or a gaggle of mustache cups).

Then, suddenly, you're seeing things every where.

Another option would be to check out estate sales (sometimes listed on Craigslist) and garage sales.

Also: ask. Sometimes people have things stashed that they think no one wants. And sometimes those things are razors. Or, they'll say they know someone and ask for your number.

No need to be shy. But no need to be a flaming ahole, either.

 

[gaseousclay]

antique stores in large metropolitan areas are usually slim pickins when it comes to safety razors. they're either overpriced or incredibly scarce. I live in Minneapolis and I can tell you i've found nothing worth buying in any of the antique stores in town. I did, however, find a treasure trove of safety razors at mom & pop antique stores out of town. my wife and I went up north (about 4 hrs out of the city) for our honeymoon and practically every antique store had safety razors for sale dirt cheap. I scored a flare tip super speed, black handle super adjustable & lady gillette all for $10. I also got an Old Type in the box for $10. keep in mind that all of the razors I bought were sitting in 'junk drawers' or were being sold cheap because the owner of the store didn't know what they had on their hands. also, with the exception of the old type, none of the other razors I bought had their original boxes. they were covered in filth/soap scum and were in need of a good cleaning. now they're all restored/sanitized and like new. ebay is good if there's something in particular you're looking for, unfortunately, you'll more than likely wind up paying more for them because bidding can get pretty fierce. but good deals can be had if you're patient enough. good luck

 

[Luc]

antique stores in large metropolitan areas are usually slim pickins when it comes to safety razors. they're either overpriced or incredibly scarce. I live in Minneapolis and I can tell you i've found nothing worth buying in any of the antique stores in town. I did, however, find a treasure trove of safety razors at mom & pop antique stores out of town. my wife and I went up north (about 4 hrs out of the city) for our honeymoon and practically every antique store had safety razors for sale dirt cheap. I scored a flare tip super speed, black handle super adjustable & lady gillette all for $10. I also got an Old Type in the box for $10. keep in mind that all of the razors I bought were sitting in 'junk drawers' or were being sold cheap because the owner of the store didn't know what they had on their hands. also, with the exception of the old type, none of the other razors I bought had their original boxes. they were covered in filth/soap scum and were in need of a good cleaning. now they're all restored/sanitized and like new. ebay is good if there's something in particular you're looking for, unfortunately, you'll more than likely wind up paying more for them because bidding can get pretty fierce. but good deals can be had if you're patient enough. good luck

this re-enforce the theory that nobody in the city used to shave

 

[my19]

Luc, I think you might be right. And gaseouclay, thanks for the out-of-town tip. Lots of little farm towns around once you clear the outermost 'burbs. And I might score a great chicken-fried steak along the way! Sounds like a potential win-win.

 

[jakespoppy]

You should go out to the first Monday antique and craft fesitval at Canton, east of Dallas. The crafts are in the buildings, but outside, at the "flea-market" where people have their "treasures" on tables and trailers, I found some those stray superspeeds and techs. They took some work cleaning up, and some were beyond repair, but you may have some luck there. It's a huge place, so be prepared to spend some time.

Also, check out some of the antique stores in small towns more off the beaten path outside the DFW metropolitan area. They are more likely to have a random razor that isn't overpriced. I've never found an expensive collectible in a case, although I did pass on a Fat Handled Tech in a case for $15.

Good luck!

 

[taffy]

Try finding one in the uk

 

[koso]

Also: ask. Sometimes people have things stashed that they think no one wants. And sometimes those things are razors. Or, they'll say they know someone and ask for your number.

No need to be shy. But no need to be a flaming ahole, either.

There is a large weekly farmer's market / flea market near me. Checked it out two weeks ago, made a good score of a cigar box full of razors and Gillette Green blades.

One guy there said he had a bucket of razors at home, he'd bring them in.

Checked his spot this Saturday, his son was running it. He called the old man. Old man said, "Oh, you were serious, OK, I'll be sure to have them there next week."

We shall see. Next weekend I might be posting a pic of a a bucket full of razors.

Key point: ask, as Hoos posted.

 

[AsylumGuido]

There is a large weekly farmer's market / flea market near me. Checked it out two weeks ago, made a good score of a cigar box full of razors and Gillette Green blades.

One guy there said he had a bucket of razors at home, he'd bring them in.

Checked his spot this Saturday, his son was running it. He called the old man. Old man said, "Oh, you were serious, OK, I'll be sure to have them there next week."

We shall see. Next weekend I might be posting a pic of a a bucket full of razors.

Key point: ask, as Hoos posted.

Just as a warning, I have been in this exact scenario dozens of times and have only had a couple come through with the razors and I know why. The fact that you want the razors will pique their interest and they will pop onto eBay and do a search for razors. Once their jaw is scraped off the floor they quickly get to work listing the RARE FATBOY GILLETE RAZOR with BLADE sales.

 

[John C]

It's been a while, but I seem to remember several antique stores in Mesquite. I would also try the east west highway that runs just north and parallel to I20. There are several little towns on that hwy., you could spend a relaxing sat. driving through the country.
The weather is finally decent enough for it.

John

 

[AsylumGuido]

It's been a while, but I seem to remember several antique stores in Mesquite. I would also try the east west highway that runs just north and parallel to I20. There are several little towns on that hwy., you could spend a relaxing sat. driving through the country.
The weather is finally decent enough for it.

John

I have cleaned out the Mesquite shops already. All I found was a 1958 TV Special Super Speed with case and blade pack. The rest came up bone dry. I have hit dozens of shops and malls in the DFW area and have only found a handful of razors with none being found at any I had previously visited.

 

[gaseousclay]

I have cleaned out the Mesquite shops already. All I found was a 1958 TV Special Super Speed with case and blade pack. The rest came up bone dry. I have hit dozens of shops and malls in the DFW area and have only found a handful of razors with none being found at any I had previously visited.

the shavepocalypse really is here

 

[my19]

the shavepocalypse really is here

I think you're right. The world's entire vintage razor supply seems to be controlled by three or four eBay vendors and the gentle folks at B&B ... Whew. At least some of 'em are in friendly hands.

 

[luvmysuper]

I think you're right. The world's entire vintage razor supply seems to be controlled by three or four eBay vendors and the gentle folks at B&B ... Whew. At least some of 'em are in friendly hands.

Sounds to me like it's time for a group buy on a "Hit Man"

 

[unstereotyped]

I agree my19. Living in the city that never sleeps, I have noticed that myself. Although one can find DE blades in dollar stores, and W 8th Street has a supply of newer models of safety and straight razors, finding any cool vintage items is not easy. My of my antiques were bought upstate. This includes that razors I have.

 

[koso]

Just as a warning, I have been in this exact scenario dozens of times and have only had a couple come through with the razors and I know why. The fact that you want the razors will pique their interest and they will pop onto eBay and do a search for razors. Once their jaw is scraped off the floor they quickly get to work listing the RARE FATBOY GILLETE RAZOR with BLADE sales.

Sonofa *^%#$ mother *&!(#)$^(!!!1one!

I'm sure you're right.

 

[DonOhio]

Visit Ohio. There be razors here.

 

[TimMechEngr]

Visit Ohio. There be razors here.

He's not kidding. look at this.

 

[DonOhio]

See?

West Chester's not far south of me and I'm off that weekend but, no, I'm not going.

 

[AsylumGuido]

See?

West Chester's not far south of me and I'm off that weekend but, no, I'm not going.

Why not?