Wandering into Straight land

[mrscottishman]

Hello to all,
I send my wife out as she travels in search of DE razors, which I know a little about, but she keeps finding straights and sending cellphone pics and descriptions. I don't know much about a straight at all. Here are a few questions for the venerated experts here.

1. Are the old rough looking razors commonly found in antique stores worth anything and what is your "average" run of the mill old razor worth in fair condition? I know it is a vague question, give me a vague answer.

2. Can you tell me anything about these from this little bit of info.

A: Bugene Bernighans Co. Nashville (in old box) fair condition.

B: Frankford Holland Nashville Dudd Dudley Lipscomb a little better condition.

C: An old Oneida Razor hone in box. Hone pretty good, box fair.

(I am not sure she can read her own writing, but she is sweet!)

Got to start somewhere,
best,
mrscottishman

 

[FiveOhNine]

It kinda depends (in my (in)experience) - if you are looking for a shaver - I'd stick with the well known domestics (shutmate, robeson, waterville, etc.), most from solingen seem very well put together, and sheffield england are my favorites.

However, if you're looking to collect, it seems the more ornate, unique and unusual scales are held in higher esteem. For example, carved naturals (bone, ivory, wood, etc), celluloid types depicting some sort of scene, blades with unusual and/or excessive etching/gold wash.

I haven't heard of the ones your wife found, but if they are a few $, you might get lucky - otherwise you won't lose much sleep if its junk.

For some vague-ish generalizations. in -ish prices:

I would never pay more than $30 on a chance-to-be-good razor (a known name, decent condition, little hone-wear, and fixable rust/pitting).

I have been known to gamble on chance-to-be-great razors (A Dubl-Duck Wonderedge I paid less than $50 for, won't get specific to save the sanity of other members)

Razors unseen, I probably wouldn't pay more than $30 for the lot that you mention (assuming good+ condition) because I don't know the names. But again, I'm new to this, so maybe someone else here can give you more specifics about the ones you found.

P.S./Edit - your wife is awesome to even try razor hunting for you. You are a lucky man.