Is it just my imagination or have the prices of straight razors been going up. It seems to have taken a leap in the last month. If you think this is true why? And does it continue?
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Is it just my imagination or have the prices of straight razors been going up. It seems to have taken a leap in the last month. If you think this is true why? And does it continue?
The nature of trade is to always increase the price when there is a demand for a particular item. Throw into that mix the fact that a lot of new straight razor shavers are erroneously thinking that eBay will deliver a bargain, no matter the price. Example is the current craze for wider and wider razors. W & B's 7/8 and up are going for almost double what a 4/8 or 5/8 is bringing. A 6/8 is in between in price.
Hahaha...why do I have the feeling I'm going to get blamed for that!?! :shrug:Quote:
Originally Posted by Razorfeld
Deacon Phrank, your Pope still loves you despite it all.:rolleyes:
Yes I believe that there are many new people trying the straights and the company's that make them can't keep up. I also believe that for the most part the straights on eBay are the last of the vintage razors and old shavers and new shavers alike want them. so the price keeps going up. I really don't know when it will level off but I see one on the bay now for almost 200.00 us and still time left to bid. it is nice but my face couldn't tell the difference. I get nicked whether it's a 2.00 dollar razor or 200.00 dollar. maybe the 200.00 dollar one wont give me lock jaw.
Probably not, but you can bet your bottom dollar it gives lockjaw to my wallet.Quote:
Originally Posted by rhensley
I just looked at the Wade and butcher on the bay and so far it is 199.00. my wife locked up my wallet. that's bad enough but a few weeks back there was one that went for 1125.00 and when I saw that I almost had to have cpr.Quote:
Originally Posted by Razorfeld
The prices will keep going up on these beautiful vintage razors until there's none left. Already you see, even in my year of buying, prices doubling and tripling for less and less quality blades. The thing with the vintage blades is they don't make them anymore, and in most cases they haven't been made for over one hundred years.Quote:
Originally Posted by rhensley
Eventually the new makers will catch up and there will be lots to choose from again, but the old vintage blades will become rarer and rarer.
Notice that on a world wide forum like eBay, pretty much the entire straight razor community will notice when a sought after blade comes up. And when they do, with the occasional exception, go for very high prices.
I just finished selling off a bunch of razors on Eboy and I reject the notion prices have gone up in general. As a matter of fact prices have gone down, way down. If you have one of the "hot" brands yes they have gone up but for a typical piece it's the opposite. With just about every razor I sold I got less than when I bought them over 10 years ago. Most folks these days want a razor not in the best of shape and want to spend like thirty bucks or less for a razor.
When I started in this the razors that were fetching high prices were those considered to be the top quality pieces and brands. Many of those brands have fallen by the wayside. An example? Take Puma. 15 years ago you couldn't touch any puma no matter the condition for less than $200. A top of the line Puma Gold in mint condition would break the bank. Prices on these have basically been cut in half.
All these wedges like the W&Bs that are fetching high prices you couldn't give away 15 years ago. The market has turned into a hype driven affair.
Just my observation.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Razorfeld
I CANNOT be the only one who was able to read between the lines here, right? RIGHT?!
See what you're saying. When I started, last year all the rage was, and still is around the Double Ducks, one of those in good to great condition will fetch higher than a lot of the old Sheffield blades, and I guess here's where personal preference comes in, and I find them not particularly outstanding. To see DD's go for $300 and above is the norm for a half decent razor.Quote:
Originally Posted by thebigspendur
I agree about the Puma's, been hunting for an 7/8 or larger. Ed wustoff are another maker I like, along with the Filly's and Friodor, Henkels and many others...just seems flavours change and different blades make it to the hit parade at different times.
But yes, trends always influence market conditions.
Darn - he broke our code!!! Release the hounds!!Quote:
Originally Posted by JoelLewicki
Next we'll be speaking in tongues. Entendre and double entendre aside JoelLewicki do you secretly work as a code beaker for an unnamed government group? If so, must I now change my name and hide because I've "outed" you?
Pope Razorfeld - you're going to have to make him a deacon, so he joins us!!Quote:
Originally Posted by Razorfeld
JoelLewicki, Deacon Phrank has put you forth as a Deacon in the Church of the Steel Blade. With his support I would like to name you Deacon of the Sacred/Secret Word (your choice) of the Singing Blade. So sayeth you?
There are some amazing deals out there if you have the time (and desire) to scour Globally
I think some of you have bumped their heads. Lol. Happy Easter to ya all though. Popes and deacons, sinners and saints.
Well, i am not sure if it is true for the last month, but from what i read here the prices have been climbing for some time.
Market forces drive prices, so basically the more people who want and are prepared to bid on something, and their perceived value of that item will dictate pricing.
It wont stop until people cant support the prices being charged currently, or straight razor ownership becomes less popular, you also have to factor in that older razors are a finite resource so their scarcity will increase, thus helping to maintain value.
Definitely rising over the last year i believe,
And god help us if a 9/8+ round point gets on the market cos Phrank will sent it through the roof i think LOL
I shouldn't correct you, just to throw the scent off, but if one of those comes up with a spike point, I'll be all over it like Clinton on an intern!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by Substance
Every "keeper" you've got will be for sale again someday ........ whether it is by you, or the person handling the estate. We're just custodians of this stuff. :angel:Quote:
Originally Posted by Phrank
I've often thought how many different lives the vintage razors I own have touched, and whose lives they may touch in the future.Quote:
Originally Posted by JimmyHAD
If I had one wish for the blades I currently own, is just that they were never trashed. That they ended up appreciated and valued by someone, and of course brought some joy and happiness in having and using something with such a rich history.
I'll appreciate them Phrank, hint, hint... ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Phrank
I promise I won't practice honing on them.
Since I started using a stra8 I bought all kinds of blade styles and grinds, and after I found the type I prefer, which is the W&B wedge, and near wedge the prices seem to climb every day!!! :mad: So Phrank I will humbly take donations...... :chapeauQuote:
Originally Posted by Phrank
Dunno, I just bought a razor on ebay at something like 20% discount compared to retail - supposedly unused and the pictures were good and it looked nice. It was on the high end of the scale though, the old beaten up razors may well be a fair bit more expensive than they used to be recently.
I think I've been at this for six and a half years and the prices have been generally going up. Back in 2007 the entry level Dovo was $50 honed by Lynn, ebay specials were in the $10-$15 range ($5 if you'd get a lot of 15-20 which were fairly popular back then), filarmonicas were around $100, the big w&b probably $50-$70 (I never cared much for them so don't remember exactly).
With standard inflation the current prices should be 20% higher, but they are much higher than that, so that's demand outpacing the supply. It's not in all segments though - I think it's most pronounced at the low end (when I was first looking you could have a lightly cleaned up and honed vintage razor in good condition for $15-$25) and the high end (the custom razors now seem to be about twice what custom razors used to be, and now there is a lot more variety).
Now Safety Razors are crazy! I sold my 250 plus back in 2007 when I started with straights. Those same ones have nearly tripled in value... BIG Bubble in that market
The "market clearing price" on straights on an international auction site like eBay will not only be segmented by price and/or form, but by a desirability we will never know or understand.
To speculate is fun, but on this thread alone, we are seeing all kinds of "differing opinions.". I personally hope they are going up because demand is being spurred by new guys vs just a bunch of rich Phranks buying everything up in an effort to forgo a 7 day set, and move directly to a 365 day set lol!
Prices going up means more people will consider entering the market on the supply side.
Will prices rise enough for companies to enter the market? You could argue they already have in that the mighty Gold Dollar has entered the foray.
The only question I really have is, will these men who are starting into it still desire the straight experience and seek a decent razor after the horrors inflicted by the mighty Gold Dollar lol?? Or will this entrant kill demand lol!!
Doh!!!
I don't know, I keep reading somewhere that those Gold Dollars are as good as any Filarmonica out there, just need to be honed on a lapping film costing Another Dollar, but the all powerful honemeister extortionist mafia is keeping that secret and banning from the internet everyone who threatens to reveal it.
Still these Gold Dollar razors have gotten so rare nowadays that even the mighty Titans were brought out of Tartarus to their help (cf. Xena season 1). I hear sometime soon they'll be nailing the sky in place so that Atlas can come to the fight as well.
Ever notice how Atlas is only ever depicted in America as clean shaven?
Alas as the sky rips at its seams, I wonder how much of the earths burden he'll trade for some Spanish steel lol? Perhaps a Gods ransom? That may very well be why... that razor with the harp, that gets so very sharp, is so dear at the auctioneer. Lol.
Tend to agree with most views expressed regarding the increases in the last year on the bay as that's been how long my interest in straights has supplanted VWs and Chevy parts as my number one searches. Hard to find a sweet W and B sans the England moniker for what I'm willing to spend. Glad I bought one through here instead that's just perfect.
I'm still on the hunt for a Japanese straight, and of course a maestro livi to honor Italy but I am patient, and persistent, and I love the eBay search engine, very specific..
Cheers.
This is an interesting thread with some great comments.
I agree that certain "hot" brands have maintained high prices on Ebay. I have been shaving with straights and watching Ebay auctions for 9 months now, and I've noticed that Dubl Ducks, Filarmonicas, Palmeras, (the rare one that shows up), Dorkos, Heljestrand MK 31,32,33, Wade and Butcher For Barber's Use, Large 7/8+ Sheffield wedges, and larger Solingen (6/8+) all have maintained high values. I find it interesting that Pumas apparently do not fetch the prices that they used to. I have watched Pumas, and while it seems that 5/8 and smaller can be found at decent prices, 6/8+ still fetch high prices.
I would add that there are several factors that can drive high prices. Well photographed auctions will sell at premiums. Properly described auctions (e.g., "Massive 8/8+ Wade and Butcher For Barber's Use", rather than "Sheffield razor") will fetch higher prices. Razors that have been sanded, polished or restored will fetch higher prices. Shave ready razors will fetch higher prices. Auctions that end between 6pm and 9 pm Pacific on Sundays will fetch higher prices. Razors from high feedback sellers will fetch higher prices.
Deals still can be found, but one or several of the factors that I mentioned above has to be absent. For instance, you might find a good deal with a poorly photographed, imperfectly described, rusty (but not chipped or frowny) razor that ends at a weird time of day.
I agree that prices have gone up since I started buying straights 3 years ago. At the top end read W&B and the big blades I would rather spend my money on a custom razor. I currently have a BB 8/8 damascus and a Robert Williams purist and picked them up at better prices than the vintage blades of the moment.
Don't forget to clean it up after use, Phrank - look what happened to Clinton... :}Quote:
Originally Posted by Phrank
Regards,
Neil
I have been watching eBay auctions and buying and selling for the last 7 plus years and your observations are SPOT on! Very few "under the radar" snags of any of your topline mentioned hot commodity razors. I will share a tip, look for the Buy It Now razor from an unaware person who trips over a Barber's collection at a local auction and just places them up on the bay at pretty silly BIN pricing. It happen more than you think. That and large lots where the photos are supposed to describe the condition etc. I have found some gems that way in the past. But your observations after 9 months are accurate in my experience.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bordee
...:roflmaoQuote:
Originally Posted by Neil Miller
....I always clean and air dry, and a drop or two of Tuf-Glide in the trouble spots to keep everything working properly.
I have heard stories about members getting some screaming deals on BINs. From my own experience, the only good deal I recall (which quickly slipped away) was a 6/8 Dorko that was selling for around $70 or $75. Unfortunately, it was gone within minutes of me seeing it (if you think about it too much, you lose sometimes).
Anybody here get any recent steals with BIN?
Do an eBay search put in whatever you choose parameter but for the sake of this discussion just do a BIN / SOLD items "Most Recent" search for "straight razor"...You will be able to scroll down and see the results and you will see some good buys.
A recent one for myself would be this razor which is about 75-100 below usual retail...maybe more if shown polished , clean with beautiful photos and description...and spelled correctly with the actual razor's brand in the title...
Swedish Scandinavion Straight Razor Puma Case | eBay
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bordee
I guess it's me and folks like me that drive prices up. I'm fairly new to this sport and what makes it worse is I'm newly retired. I've bought several different brands of razors USA
, German and English. I found the ones I like( which it looks like a lot of people like the same names as me) and with nothing else to do but haunt the computer this winter I have got some of the razors on my list. It's sad to say I did pay a little more than I should have but it's sure fun to clean and hone and even shave with them. now I find my self more selective both in the shape of the razor and the price. It's really like building a huge fire and then complaining about the heat. Now I know I don't have the nicer collections like some people do but it's what I like and I continue to gaze into the pretty screen of the monitor and guess what shape the razor really is in and what it'll finally go for. I'm waiting on one now that I hope will clean up and go in line up. anyway it's our monster lets enjoy it as long as we can.
One interesting thing that I've noticed about Wade & Butcher FBU and large (8/8+) Sheffield razors is that these items are even commanding prices when only the blade is being sold. For other "hot" (e.g. Dubl Duck) razors, you can usually get a big discount if you are buy a blade only. With the FBU, I've seen auctions were people are bidding $150+ for blade without scales.
On a side note, I cannot recall ever seeing an auction for a big Filarmonica blade without scales. I really do wonder how much people would bid for a nice blade only Especial Para Barbas Duras. Probably a fair amount.
Tell me about it. I'm looking to get my first DE (I've been using a SR for a couple years now, but with a beard I don't have much to shave anymore), and I'm looking for a Gillette Slim adjustable thinking that they are obtainable for less than a Fatboy. Searching completed auctions, I've found that ones with good plating and mechanics were selling for under $30 shipped in January; now, they're going for around $60 after shipping. They're probably worth that at the end of the day, but it's a nasty price bubble right now.Quote:
Originally Posted by AntiqueHoosier
It seems to me that if someone has anything "vintage" (say pre-70's), he thinks it's worth a lot of money regardless of the history of its value on the market. I collect 1930's-50's neckties, and in the last two years the prices have also become stupid. Neckties I wouldn't pay $4 for are listing at $30 and sometimes selling for nearly that much. I can't help but think that pop culture is helping to drive the vintage craze with movies and TV shows like Mad Men, Public Enemies, Boardwalk Empire, Shutter Island, The Great Gatsby (remake), etc. Maybe when the 20's-50's movies/shows subside, we'll see more reasonable prices again. Or maybe my idea of a reasonable price is just unreasonable.:p