Thread: Sky high prices for 17/16 Wade and Butchers

Some razors obtain 'cult status.' The W&B FBU, dubl duck Reaper, some of the Fillarmonicas. They are 'hot' collectibles. Every now and again there is a lull, or there are a lot of them on the bay, and a bargain can be had. Usually though there are at least a few guys after one at the same time. Those George Brittain 12/8s were hot awhile back. Going for big bucks. The ebb and flow of the collectibles market.

Dang nabbit. I had a few monster W&B Wedges but sold them off about five+ years ago. I think back then I got $200-$250 for each which at the time I thought was doing pretty well.

As far as what may seem like high prices at the $500-$600 range. I echo what others have said. They're rare antiques. The buyers may be looking at the potential such razors have in the hands of a talented razor restoration artisan. New production razors can be in that price range or more. If I had the choice of a new production razor of most any make and a restored chopper (if that was my thing) with new horn scales, I'd take the resto chopper any day.

I've said many times with new production razor prices as they have been and as they are, I think good to excellent condition vintage razors from well regarded makers (and the list is long) are as a rule way under priced.

New production 5/8 - 6/8 TI razors go for approximately $225-$275. I'm not discounting TI razors, but in comparison to some vintage razors from my old photo archives of razors I no longer own:




If I was in the market for a razor or two and I had a choice between one of the above razors or a new TI, cost being equal, I would select either of those vintage razors.

But, it's still rare that I've seen where vintage razors like those shown go for $225-$275.

Bottom line, I think good to excellent condition vintage razors of quality brands are a great value at even twice the price of what they generally go for. While there are a ton of straight razors still available, most are of fair to poor to worthless condition. Good to excellent condition razors are relatively rare in comparison. Because of that, I'm actually surprised that razors in such condition are still affordable for most. It's a good thing, but still, I'm surprised.

Just my 2 cents.

ChrisL


ChrisL

Will not say what I have been offered for my 8/8 palmeras,they make 10/8 W&Bs look like chickin feed

Chris, I just sold an identical to yours Hess 44 like NIB for $150 shipped in the classifieds, shaver ready too. I agree with your comparison of vintage as opposed to new production TI as far as price comparisons go. That Hess should have been priced at twice the $ but no one would buy it at that price.

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

Will not say what I have been offered for my 8/8 palmeras,they make 10/8 W&Bs look like chickin feed

But your Palmera's are one of kind in ivory! I can understand why people would offer big money for those. Further, I could perfectly understand if the W&Bs that I cited above involved novelty scales or ivory for that matter. But the scales on those W&Bs were cracked or nothing to brag about.

Where is phrank when you need him?

@ChrisL -- You make an interesting point about the price of new production TIs and how excellent condition vintage razors ought to fetch more. I think however, that it is not an apples-to-apples comparison to compare a new production TI to vintage Nu-Baks and Hess razors.

The price that the modern TI commands is likely driven by a couple of factors. TI is an old brand with a lot of prestige and it is one of the last razor manufacturers still standing. TI, and Le Grelot (which TI acquired), made highly regarded vintage razors back in the day. The quality of these older blades allows TI to charge a sort of luxury premium for new production. In addition, people will pay premiums for brand new items with "that new car smell" to them. For instance, many people would buy a new Honda Accord over a restore vintage Corvette for the same price.

I think a more appropriate comparison would be: what prices are vintage TIs/Le Grelots in the condition like the two razors pics you posted fetching? From watching several months of Ebay auctions, it seems that minty vintage TIs/Le Grelots fetch prices that can quite surpass new TI prices.

Finally, I would agree that some vintage razors are undervalued (like to the two you posted), but I think that this is because bidders/shavers do not realize that such razors shave as well or better than a new production TI. In other words, this is a branding issue. The quality of vintage Hess razors is not widely known, so that probably keeps prices down.

Originally Posted by Bordee

Finally, I would agree that some vintage razors are undervalued (like to the two you posted), but I think that this is because bidders/shavers do not realize that such razors shave as well or better than a new production TI. In other words, this is a branding issue. The quality of vintage Hess razors is not widely known, so that probably keeps prices down.

All true, so it is good if you have some of these lesser known brands, or want to acquire them. Obscure vintage Solingens and Sheffield razors are more often than not as fine a shaver as the cult status ducks, Pumas, W&Bs, and what have you. Old USA, Swedish, even USSR razors are mostly great shavers. Great for buyers and not so great for sellers.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Chris, I just sold an identical to yours Hess 44 like NIB for $150 shipped in the classifieds, shaver ready too. I agree with your comparison of vintage as opposed to new production TI as far as price comparisons go. That Hess should have been priced at twice the $ but no one would buy it at that price.

Next time consider the bay Jim

Originally Posted by edhewitt

Where is phrank when you need him?

He is busy looking at pics of the 3 new Sheffield choppers I just sold him for probably 1/4 of what they would sell for on eBay

But then again, he is a good guy, and will enjoy and put them to use. For me, that is what this hobby is about. If I were in it to make money, I would be doing it a lot differently.