Thread: Just a comment looking for more comments.

This is just a comment but when I got into the hobby of straight shaving, collecting and refurbishing straights about 4 to 5 months ago. I thought it was going to make a nice relatively inexpensive hobby for someone with a low income to to enjoy I was purchasing razors on ebay occasionally for $3 to $7 dollars along with everyone else, don't get me wrong, I don't have any large collection by any means I do have 7 razors though.

It's a shame that in past month and a half some of the razors that I was purchasing for $3 to $7 dollars have more than doubled in price which I think is insane for a razor that needs at least 4 hours work and maybe new scales. if you figure a minimum of $15.00 per hour thats $60 dollars and then an auction price of $27.00 with a shipping charge of $8.00 you are now at $95.00 and haven't even put scales on yet a nice set of scales will take you another 4 hours so add $60.00 so now your at $155.00 isn't it cheaper to buy new.

To include a cost for your labor is only right if you think the time you spend refurbishing the razor is work, rather than fun. If it's fun, how much would you pay to have as much fun? If refurbishing a razor is as much fun as, say, a round of golf, then deduct the cost of a round of golf from your out-of-pocket costs to estimate your true cost of the refurbished razor! Maybe these refurbished razors are free to you?!

They are not free at all their is the cost of materials and equipment. But add a few dollars for sandpaper and buffing compounds as well as handle material, that 3 to 7 dollar razor is know worth 27 to 60 dollars REFURBISHED I don't feel there is any razor out there worth $100.00's with the exception of custom razors containing exotic or rare materials.

Damon,

Steve's point is that the refurbishing work has utility other than providing a working razor to you. If you enjoy it, it is a hobby. Then you can discount the value of the time you put into it. The concept is called 'opportunity cost', meaning you can expend the efforts in other ways, some having higher, some having lower returns to you. If you do this sort of calculation, you have to assign value to abstract items such as your happiness as well as make simplifying assumptions, one of which might be, 'I can work for $x/hr any time I care to'. This may or may not be true. If you are hourly employee who can work whenever you prefer in small increments to increase your wage, this may be true. For most people, it's not.

Anyway, that is besides the point. If you kept to the utilitarian aspect of straight shaving, you could obtain a workable set rather inexpensively compared to the cost of disposable razors over some pay back period. The problem is, it's so damn addicting that we're tempted to build a collection, restore, them, etc... tame your desires my good man!

As for the price on eBay, my friend Adam says that will work itself into a stable state based on demand...

Take care,
John

Originally Posted by Namdnas

Steve's point is that the refurbishing work has utility other than providing a working razor to you. If you enjoy it, it is a hobby.

Exactly what I was trying to say. My comment about the refurbished razors being "free," after deducting the value of the fun you had refurbishing the razor, shows why economists are not famous for their senses of humor!

Got it you are right, I suppose I have lost sight of it's addicting effect. If its one thing for certain it's addicting, but the hobby in all aspects has thought me patients and to slow down in this fast paced world it's not like you can do a 3min shave with a straight. I also have confidence to hold a razor to my own throat with nerves of steel because if you don't you can kiss your ass goodbye.

By the way Steve welcome to the group.

I Just neded to vent a bit.

from wikipedia...

An important determinant of what is considered a hobby, as distinct from a profession (beyond the lack of remuneration), is probably how easy it is to make a living at the activity. Almost no one can make a living at cigarette card or stamp collecting, but many people find it enjoyable; so it is commonly regarded as a hobby.

I think razor restoration is truly a hobby.

Insanity

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In popular culture, "insane" could also refer to something extremely foolish, while persons may be deemed "insane" if their behavior strongly deviates from accepted social norms. The term is typically negative.

...just something to think about....

(...hey....if the shoe fits.....)

-whatever

-Lou

Damon,

Look at it as a hobby.

If you wanna go cheap there's a couple of possibilities: buy a Wapieneca set. Apparently those razors are great as are the hone and strops of the same brand. They are currently being reviewed on SRP.

My most expensive razor is a near mint ebay Crown and Sword I got for less than 40 euros incl. S + H and Paypal fees. My others are worth less than 10 bucks. I accept pitting, and cheap but ever so cheerful bakelite handles, some of which are too small for their razor. With the 4 razors I got I have a lifetime's shaving without having to spend a penny more on anything but creams/soaps and A/S.