Anything I should look out for to acquire? May as well start of the AD with the excuse that it's antique and it was her idea!
Wife wants to hit antique stores.
- Thread starter Markh3rd
- Start date
there is usually a couple of straights and DEs in most antique stores - theyre either really cheap, or massively expensive.
happy hunting!
happy hunting!
Antique stores can be a blessing or a curse. If you want to buy nice shaving-accessories second-hand/vintage/antique and CHEAP...then I suggest buying from flea-markets. Antiques stores second. Such stores may have some really nice stuff for sale, but as mdunn says, they can be MASSIVELY expensive. The dealers who run antiques stores are rarely idiots and it's not easy to pull the wool over their eyes over the true value of stuff in their shops.
Flea market shopping is the way to go. I frequently see old Gillette razors for under $5 that just need a little Scrubbing Bubbles and elbow grease.
I rest my case.
Antiques stores are fine, if you have the money. If you don't, scour flea-markets. You're more likely to get bargains there and you'll have a wider range of nicknacks to choose from. An easy 90% of my current shaving-kit was purchased second-hand from the flea-market.
And it ALL works.
+1
I have been to a few "antique malls" lately here in town where one location sells for multiple vendors. The same razor in one case can be $5 and in the next row over be $85!
There is a lot of variance in price, but I've found there is also a lot of availability, so don't be overly anxious and pay too much thinking it will be your only chance.
I got a really, really, really rough Aristocrat in its box yesterday for $1.
It will be a massive restoration and cleaning project to get it where I want it as a razor, but an Aristocrat for $1 was tough to pass up. I was able to pass up the $75 techs a few rows down much more easily. 
Agreed. Some antique stores seem to think that anything old is rare and valuable. But it never hurts to look at their stock. Sometimes you can find a good deal, and sometimes you can talk them down some.
Estate sales are another good place to get vintage shaving gear. That's where most antique shops get their stock.
Estate sales are another good place to get vintage shaving gear. That's where most antique shops get their stock.
Don't turn your nose up at SEs - antique stores are usually full of these, and they often get priced lower than DEs/
+1 I picked up 2 old Gems for a buck each and think they are a great shave. I have not given up on my DE's but I'm glad I have them in my rotation.
Perhaps something to use to store your razors and accessories, like maybe a pipe holder; a solid wood shave den; scuttle; antique shaving brush with a handle that can be re-knotted.
The vast majority of antique stores I have been to in Melbourne, have all priced their SE razors well over their DE prices!
For example I saw a GEM in its matching case for $40 and a red tip in matching case for $20....
It must be an Aussie thing!
I haven't had much luck finding decent razors at antique stores in my neck of the woods. I've found plenty of vinyl albums, however.
- Thread starter
- #13
Is there any particular razor or item I should keep an eye out for? One that is a classic and favorite among the shaving community?
When I'm ready for SEs, I've already scoped out a few at the antique mall. Quite a lot of them--but I'm not there yet!
Well, I find that you'll see a lot of Gilette Techs, which I suppose makes sense since they had such a long run and a three piece probably survives poor care better than a one-piece.
Even more than that, though, I've seen literally dozens of the Schicks (?) with the bakelite handles (I can't remember what they're called off the top of my head). Lots of gnarly brushes, but no good handles. Lots of straights as well.
OldSaw
The wife's investment
Whether you go to antique stores or flea markets doesn't really matter. I am always on the lookout for 40's style Superspeeds. My best finds were at rummage sales, where I got one for a dime and several years later just down the same road got another for 75 cents.
So my suggestion is 40's style Superspeeds. I walk past everything else and only buy them when they are cheap. I only have about 4 or 5, but since I only desire the one style the extras are just back-ups in case something happens to the one I am using.
OldSaw
The wife's investment
I already posted about my favorite, the 40's Superspeed. I think everyone should have at least one. The other thing that I wold suggest is an Old Spice mug, the white glass variety, it's just another classic that I think everyone should have one of in their shave cave.
But they're so darn small...how do you even use one of those things?
OldSaw
The wife's investment
For many years it was all I had and I used Colonel Conk almond shave soap. It worked for me.
Sweet...I used to love going with her when I started this hobby...pick up whatever shave kit you can score and post pics!
