Expert Barber 400

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Whitneyrifle
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Expert Barber 400

Post by Whitneyrifle »

Well, I collect Union Cut Co and Kabar knives, so it was natural to progress to razors. I picked up this “Expert Barber 400” for a great price. The blade was fuller than a butter knife. It took three weeks of spare time honing, but I was finally able to shave with it today. I would live to find the elusive “Union RAZOR Vo”, but I don’t have $400.00 to shell out for a razor at this moment.
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Gunsil
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Re: Expert Barber 400

Post by Gunsil »

I have never heard of any Union Cut or Case razors selling for $400. I have a pick bone Union Tidiute razor with original box in fine condition I got for less than a hundred on the bay and have sold a lot of fine Case razors in mint condition for $250 or less. Razors that are used and worn don't usually bring much, most razor guys seem to prefer near mint-mint examples. Do you do Union/KA-BAR fixed blades? I'll try to photo the couple Union razors I have tomorrow if there's good light.
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Whitneyrifle
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Re: Expert Barber 400

Post by Whitneyrifle »

It is difficult to find the Union Razors on the bay, and the ones on Etsy range from $275-$400.
Would like to add one to the collection, though.
I don’t really collect the fixed blades, but it doesn’t mean I’m not interested!
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Gunsil
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Re: Expert Barber 400

Post by Gunsil »

Etsy people are nuts, I have never seen a Union razor go for that kind of money. Every day there are fifty or more Union Cut straight razors on ebay but just like knives, you have to watch often for nice ones to come up. My main interest is old Union/KA-BAR hunting knives but I do have some sweet folders and when out at fleas or knife shows if a knife is not available that I like I will look at razors. Here are a few of my Union razors.
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The John Jays are early Union products, there are pocket knives and razors with this mark of theirs. I really like the pearl covered tang on the black one. I also love the Great Arrow etch with the Union North America emblem in the middle, and of course anything Union Razor is scarce and pick bone razors are fairly rare also. I apologize for the mediocre at best photos, iPhone just isn't the best for photographing knives and razors.
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Whitneyrifle
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Re: Expert Barber 400

Post by Whitneyrifle »

So is this a Union razor?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/403740107447?h ... R-DNuLnZYA


I guess I should be more specific too, I’m searching for a Union razor with the Tidioute stamp. I have seen many Union razors on the Bay, just Olean or Ga marked.
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Whitneyrifle
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Re: Expert Barber 400

Post by Whitneyrifle »

Gunsil wrote: Tue Aug 23, 2022 3:04 pm Etsy people are nuts, I have never seen a Union razor go for that kind of money. Every day there are fifty or more Union Cut straight razors on ebay but just like knives, you have to watch often for nice ones to come up. My main interest is old Union/KA-BAR hunting knives but I do have some sweet folders and when out at fleas or knife shows if a knife is not available that I like I will look at razors. Here are a few of my Union razors.

EF886C26-657A-4D91-A455-908E82BC2B09.jpeg8ECB9A00-3F29-43FB-8B51-160C84AD746F.jpegD5D116DC-C2CB-4170-827F-014EE30C95B7.jpeg029769E8-56C3-4829-9C33-F9133F185B17.jpegB51C07E0-5012-488A-BB84-728B2F9F8DE3.jpeg

The John Jays are early Union products, there are pocket knives and razors with this mark of theirs. I really like the pearl covered tang on the black one. I also love the Great Arrow etch with the Union North America emblem in the middle, and of course anything Union Razor is scarce and pick bone razors are fairly rare also. I apologize for the mediocre at best photos, iPhone just isn't the best for photographing knives and razors.
They are all lovely!!!
You have to be trusted by the people that lie to you. So that when they turn their backs on you, You'll get the chance to put the knife in….
Gunsil
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Re: Expert Barber 400

Post by Gunsil »

Thanks! On ebay put Union straight razor in as a search, they do not show up under Union knife. 55 or so on the site today. Try to buy etched ones or ones in fine condition, used or damaged ones will never be worth a lot. Original box helps value.
Gunsil
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Re: Expert Barber 400

Post by Gunsil »

Whitneyrifle wrote: Tue Aug 23, 2022 4:45 pm So is this a Union razor?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/403740107447?h ... R-DNuLnZYA


I guess I should be more specific too, I’m searching for a Union razor with the Tidioute stamp. I have seen many Union razors on the Bay, just Olean or Ga marked.
Yes, that John Jay is a Union product. Lousy condition but it does have a pearl covered tang which I like. Cleaning will not increase it's value. Tidioute marked anything is hard to find, especially in nice condition. The pick bone one I have took years to find but I don't always seek razors.
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Whitneyrifle
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Re: Expert Barber 400

Post by Whitneyrifle »

Yes, it is in terrible condition. I just wanted to make sure I was looking at the correct product. So, May I ask another question, which is higher quality? Expert Barber 400 or Blu Steel? I have seen both, but I liked the Expert Barber 400 I purchased.
You have to be trusted by the people that lie to you. So that when they turn their backs on you, You'll get the chance to put the knife in….
Gunsil
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Re: Expert Barber 400

Post by Gunsil »

I doubt there is any difference in quality, they would have used the same steel in all their razors. The only difference is the handles of which most are celluloid in various patterns and the grind shape of the blades. Nice John Jay razors razors are hard to find but nit as hard as John Jay pocket knives are. I have never seena near mint John Jay pocket knife although some must be out there. If you have a copy of the Union Cut catalog they do show at least one John Jay pocket knife. The catalog reprint is probably circa 1921 since it is pre KA-BAR but does have a stainless steel hunting knife shown and stainless steel was not commercially available until the early 1920s. If you don't have a copy they do show up on ebay as does the circa 1925 KA-BAR catalog reprint.
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Whitneyrifle
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Re: Expert Barber 400

Post by Whitneyrifle »

Gunsil wrote: Tue Aug 23, 2022 9:41 pm I doubt there is any difference in quality, they would have used the same steel in all their razors. The only difference is the handles of which most are celluloid in various patterns and the grind shape of the blades. Nice John Jay razors razors are hard to find but nit as hard as John Jay pocket knives are. I have never seena near mint John Jay pocket knife although some must be out there. If you have a copy of the Union Cut catalog they do show at least one John Jay pocket knife. The catalog reprint is probably circa 1921 since it is pre KA-BAR but does have a stainless steel hunting knife shown and stainless steel was not commercially available until the early 1920s. If you don't have a copy they do show up on ebay as does the circa 1925 KA-BAR catalog reprint.
I definite need one! :shock:
You have to be trusted by the people that lie to you. So that when they turn their backs on you, You'll get the chance to put the knife in….
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