Straights at Antique Shop... Should I get them?

[goby]

I went to an antique shop and found these two blades for $25 a piece. I've never used a straight, and I'm not sure this is the way to go, unless they are great deals. Or should I get an inexpensive shave ready blade on the BST?

One is a Henckels, the other is a Wade and Butcher

 

[FiveOhNine]

its not a great deal - not bad for the henckels, but i'd avoid the butcher. Looks to have some bad honing in its past, a frown developing and some tarnish of some sort near the edge.

Yes, the BST would be a better place to find your first straight and be reasonably well assured of getting a good, shave ready razor at a good price.

 

[goby]

its not a great deal - not bad for the henckels, but i'd avoid the butcher. Looks to have some bad honing in its past, a frown developing and some tarnish of some sort near the edge.

Yes, the BST would be a better place to find your first straight and be reasonably well assured of getting a good, shave ready razor at a good price.

Since I don't know what a frown is, I'll go with a BST straight! Thanks!

 

[holli4pirating]

I don't see a frown on that W&B or any other sign that it's been mishoned. I'd get them both if I were you. The price isn't bad at all, but I would probably try to talk them down a bit just for fun.

 

[goby]

BTW, I was really shocked at how "cheap" the scales felt. They were both plastic, which surprised me. I thought the Wade and Butcher would be 100+ years old, before plastic was used/invented. I thought they were going to be like a pocket knife, with a metal "inner" and wood veneer (I guess those are called scales).

 

[SliceOfLife]

The W&B is probably ebony. I mistook ebony scales for plastic for a long time. Vintage ebony polishes up just like plastic on the surface.

 

[holli4pirating]

That W&B looks like bakelite to me, but it's very hard to tell from pictures. I would guess those are not the original scales on the Henckels.

It is very rare to see stock, non-custom scales lined with metal; I think the only ones I know of are Wapi's (which have metal scales), old high end razors with silver scales, the razor with platinum scales, and some razors that have MOP on a metal liner. A metal liner or metal scales make the razor scale heavy, which makes them a bit awkward to shave with (unless it's what you are used to). Light scales on light blades are a practicality.

 

[FiveOhNine]

I don't see a frown on that W&B or any other sign that it's been mishoned. I'd get them both if I were you. The price isn't bad at all, but I would probably try to talk them down a bit just for fun.

Hmm, you might be right on second look. Looks like what I thought was a frown is a dark spot on the edge or an uneven bevel. Still, unless my eyes are playing tricks on me the sway in the spine doesn't translate to the smile on the blade - and I haven't seen one made that way on purpose.

 

[holli4pirating]

I have seen plenty of razors with swayed spines and straight edges. Whether they were made that way or not, I cannot be certain, though. Either way, they all took great edges.

 

[SliceOfLife]

The smile is honed out. You are correct there. I wouldn't worry too much about that. The reason I wouldn't buy it is it looks like pitting right up on the edge.


It's easy to tell if the scales are ebony. Smell them. I have 100+ year old ebony scales that still have a woody, musky and slightly smokey aroma.

 

[FiveOhNine]

I have seen plenty of razors with swayed spines and straight edges. Whether they were made that way or not, I cannot be certain, though. Either way, they all took great edges.

Cool, I'll keep my eyes open. Thanks!

 

[holli4pirating]

The smile is honed out.

Seeing as hone wear is pretty even along the whole length of the blade, what makes you think a smile was honed out?

 

[netsurfr]

I would try and pick up both but would negotiate and offer them 35 for the pair.