What to look for when buying an antique straight?

**jones2289** · 04-25-2009, 07:07 PM

Ok, first of all I want to apologize in advance if there is another thread related to this. I have been shaving with a DE for about a year and a half now and really enjoy it. With that said, I would like to try to get into straight razor shaving. I looked around some antique shops this weekend and found one razor in particular that interested me. It was made in Indianapolis (where I live), and seemed to be in fairly decent shape besides a small chip out of the blade edge. It was hardly noticeable, and at first looked like a small speck of rust, but when I ran my fingernail over it it was a chip. How big of a deal is this? It was $25 and had black wodden scales. It looked like the blade centered well between the scales when folding, and didn't rub the sides (I think this is good?). When I'm looking at old razors, how can I spot a good one? I mean besides the obvious of one that looks brand new, what are a few small things a newbie can look for to differentiate a bargain from a waste of money? Sorry that this is so long; it will probably discourage anyone from even reading it, but I would appreciate any help that can be offered.

**mdunn** · 04-25-2009, 08:22 PM

you want to look for a straight (or slightly smiling) edge without chips or cracks. You also want to look at the hone wear and make sure its faily even, and make sure the razor is straight (and not too bent/warped)

If its as small of a chip as you say, just a tiny little nick then it shouldnt be too hard to hone out.

Do you recall what brand it was?

**jones2289** · 04-25-2009, 08:53 PM

I'm not POSITIVE, but I Googled straight razor manufacturers in Indianapolis and this is the only one that I found: AKERS BRITTON CO. Luckily, it sounds familiar, so I think that was it.

**leighton** · 04-25-2009, 09:48 PM

Originally Posted by jones2289

I have been shaving with a DE for about a year and a half now and really enjoy it. With that said, I would like to try to get into straight razor shaving.
[W]hat are a few small things a newbie can look for to differentiate a bargain from a waste of money? Sorry that this is so long; it will probably discourage anyone from even reading it, but I would appreciate any help that can be offered.

I am assuming you have never shaved with a straight before yet either?

If not, stay away from the antique shops. Its a waste of your time and you'll probably get burned. The razors they sell are normally overpriced or need massive amounts of work. They will never be shave ready unless the proprietor shaves with a straight himself.

Just...don't bother is my honest advice. You can find a shave ready straight here or the other place for under $30 all the time. Ok, maybe not all the time because we're a pack of hungry vultures who circle the classifieds for deals 23/7. But it'll be shave ready and cheap.

**jamesbeat** · 04-26-2009, 10:50 AM

I have bought razors from ebay to clean up myself. I have nearly finished two of them but it's a lot of work.
When they are finished, I will send them off to a honemeister to be honed properly.
I like doing it this way because I enjoy the whole restoration part, but it's definitely not for everyone.
The advantage is that it's very inexpensive to do it this way, (I have got decent razors for under £5) but it does involve an element of risk because buying from ebay doesn't allow you to inspect the razor first.
Also, the restoration process isn't fast if you want it done right, you won't be shaving with your razor for a while.

I'd say that if the restoration aspect of the hobby doesn't interest you a great deal, a shave ready vintage razor is your best bet.
Also, even if you do plan to restore them, you would be better off getting a shave ready one so you have something to use while you work on your others.
I wish I had started that way, but now I have two razors that are practically ready to be honed there's no point.

**BillEllis** · 04-26-2009, 11:49 PM

What to look for when buying an antique straight?

Basically just a few things to avoid big problems

Make sure the entire cutting edge is parallel to the spine, regardless of whether it is straight or has an upswing to it.
Make sure there are no cracks in the blade
Make sure chips in the cutting edge do not extend past the bevel and into the blade hollow grind.
Make sure there is not excessive hone wear on the spine. Pass on any razor with more than a sixteenth wide flat portion of hone wear, and try to stick with razors with even hone wear along the spine.
Avoid pitting on any razor where it encroaches into the thinnest part of the blade at the cutting edge.
Pass on any razor narrower than 9/16 of an inch