Thread: determining whether a razor is of good quality?

I find a lot of razors at yard sales. Some have broken scales, some horribly damaged. However some are quite decent looking. I know from before that basically it boils down to american and germany are the so called best. But how do you know based on the name if the country is not listed? How do you know which razors are worth buying?

I have tried searching online for a razor on the fly at yard sales before, but on ebay similar razors can range from 5 bucks to 100 bucks. So that trick kinda blew up in my face.

For the most part, if the blade has lasted over 50 years and still in one piece, it is probably a good blade.
I do a thumbnail test down the blade to see if I can feel any cracks in it.
I also hit spine against another piece of steel to make sure the blade "sounds" ok. It will have a strange sound if there are cracks.
A loupe is useful to have with you, but a cellphone camera on magnify can also give you a good look.

As for price at a yard sale, well it is whatever you agree is not to high and the seller agrees is not too low. On the whole, at yard sales I've found the seller price to be too low because they didn't know what they were selling.

Experience and research.

This is a Tips thread I did many years ago

There is a ton of good info in there about what to look for on razors (NOT not RSO's)


https://straightrazorpalace.com/begi...eb-2011-a.html

Originally Posted by metulburr

However some are quite decent looking. I know from before that basically it boils down to american and germany are the so called best.

If you are buying vintage razors made in the heyday of straight razor production, any razor from Germany, Sweden, France, England, Spain, Japan or the US in good condition could on any given day be best. They were all for the most part quality razors.


There are a few well know makers that get most of the attention but don't think that just because you have never heard of the vintage makers name that they can't be quality razors either.

It basically boils down to condition being everything that counts and the ability to judge what the condition of the razor you are looking at is.

Bob

American and German eh?? What about 'Wade & Butcher' or 'Thiers-Issard' or 'Filarmonica' or.. or.. or..

Meh...Post it up, Burr!
We will tell you!

Elmira, NY.....They made razors there, it seems? Lemme think.
Were I you (Knowing what I know), I would collect and shave with New York razzers exclusively.
Tip-Top examples.

just me..

Experience and research.
Of course there are certain manufacturers that get hyped for quality or otherwise, that's more of a market value issue and less certainly a quality issue, as many many many lesser known, lesser "market value" razors are great quality.
I'm sure there are many who would claim Sheffield owns the title of best..
Might as well just start buying those razors at yard sales, I never find them there, and then find out for yourself what a good razor is from experience..?

Carrier Cutlery, Elmira, NY. I think I have one!

I think there is a list of razor names here on SRP of what to stay away from. I would think to learn that or having a copy of it, would be a good way to start. But if it is a razor without a country name on it, its possible over 100 years old, and if it shows some real age and use then it is most likely a good one from days past. Read that list in the library. I think it will help. And a lot of other good info in there about buying vintage razors in there.

The thread glen posted is a great way to learn to look at a razor. Learn the things to look for by going to eBay and finding troubled razors. After you start learning what to look for, you will find most on eBay are not worth buying. Then your ready to go in the wilds hunting.

Love me some American Razors of days past!