Not sure if it's a steal or a bad deal.

Hey there,

I am new to this forum and any straight razor forums. Started using a straight razor a few months back, but it was just cheap low quality with replaceable blades.
I set my mind that I want to invest in my first straight razor. I found a few options from ebay like sites. But since I am pretty new I can't really recognize if it's going to be
a good or bad deal. I was hoping some of you could give me a tip or two on these models.

Wade and Butcher fine Indian steel - $70
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a double deal worth $120

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A gold plated inlaid Puma Solingen worth $100 - the seller says that it has some chips and a few rust spots. I have some idea how to refurbish it/clean it, but not sure how to approach the inlays and the fact that is gold plated. To me looks like a steal, but not really sure about it.
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An Otto Busch Solingen - 90$
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and onether Otto Busch worth $100
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Then there is this Filarmonica for $275. Seller says it has been barely used. I see some age marks on the blade. Not really sure about this one.
It looks great I must say.
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the only ones I can say "No" to are the puma and the filarmonica. the puma needs a full on restoration, and would not be a good first blade. That filarmonica is the new version not made by jose monserat poe. I had one, and several others have too, that could not be honed to shave ready. if you really want a filarmonica, get a "real" one stamped by JMP. Just make sure what ever razor you do buy, send it out for a pro honing.

Then there are a few more



A Wade and Butcher and a Tissard $140 for both
Then the Solingen and the Krone $115 for both

and the second Filarmonica is $140 it comes with a spare blade.
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Pass on all of the first lot, at those prices.

I’d buy the second lot, though.

Condition is everything. No excessive wear or rust.

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Originally Posted by Euclid440

Pass on all of the first lot, at those prices.

I’d buy the second lot, though.

Condition is everything. No excessive wear or rust.

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+1 there. I didn't really look at prices so much as condition on the first set of pics. They are over priced based on condition. What's your budget? There are plenty of sites that sell new razors, shave ready. Also the classifieds have good razors constantly. I may have something you'd be interested in as well. Send me a PM if you want to know more.

I am willing to spend up to $100-150.
I want to buy a time-tested brand. Something that's been around and has proven itself with regards quality.
I think the $140 for a Wade and Butcher and Thiers Issard is a good deal. The only thing that stops me is that they look so much alike.

Okay so you want to restore one ? How much for the spare blade? Make new scales get it pro honed and you got a nice starter razor. The rest look to expensive to me. Black spots are not a good thing.Could be oil, could be pits. Etch goes bye bye as soon as you start to clean. Look right past anything with the description, " has some chips". For 100 bucks you should be able to find a nice razor that is shave ready. Even on the bay. I have seen fully restored razors in the classifieds go for that. In fact I know some cherries have gone through there dirt cheap, I have held them in my hand :<0)

Since you're rather new to straight razors I'd go for the Crown&Sword (actually ERN). This model should be a very nice beginners razor, it seems to be in good condition and ERN was (like most of the other manufacturers your asking about) a very respectable manufacturer. I didn't look at the prices asked.

All are quality razors the first 2 will clean up nicely.

The second pair, the Soligen and Ern, Crown & Sword need the least work just cleaning and honing. It’s not smoking deal…

The last 3 might be a good deal if you can restore and re scale the two, the third Filly looks nice.

If you shop around you can find very nice razors under a hundred dollars and nice shavers under 50, sometimes well under.

The other day, I picked up a nicely horn scaled, Wade Butcher, 1inch blade in very nice condition, for $20, just needs cleaning and honing.

So, I don’t know what the availability of razors are in Bulgaria or what shipping cost. But you might want to contact some members close by you before you make a purchase.

There are 9 members listed in Bulgaria, search Community/Members List and insert country.

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Originally Posted by Euclid440

All are quality razors the first 2 will clean up nicely.

The second pair, the Soligen and Ern, Crown & Sword need the least work just cleaning and honing. It’s not smoking deal…

The last 3 might be a good deal if you can restore and re scale the two, the third Filly looks nice.

If you shop around you can find very nice razors under a hundred dollars and nice shavers under 50, sometimes well under.

The other day, I picked up a nicely horn scaled, Wade Butcher, 1inch blade in very nice condition, for $20, just needs cleaning and honing.

So, I don’t know what the availability of razors are in Bulgaria or what shipping cost. But you might want to contact some members close by you before you make a purchase.

There are 9 members listed in Bulgaria, search Community/Members List and insert country.

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Well, I was also thinking the Soligen and Crown&Sword is a good deal, The Issard and Wade and Butcher seems also like a good deal. Of course they would all need some honing and a bit of restoration in whatever shape that is.
All these razors come from the same seller, everything else is very poor quality. That's whatever I found over the internet in Bulgaria. I am sure I could find some more in antique shops if I start looking (that's once I get back there).
I was hoping to struck a better deal an all those four since it's the same seller.

Anyhow, thank you all for the advises. It helped me a lot. For some reason I was convinced that the Puma was a steal.

No that one, I would definitely pass, it looks like the beginnings of Cell Rot. Best case you will lose all the gold wash cleaning that one up. For sure contact our members in Bulgaria for some hands on advice.

I've seen better for less if you are looking for a good shave there are much better deals out there. If I did it all over again get a good quality for your first then shop for the one you can't live without.

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Originally Posted by prodigy

+1 there. I didn't really look at prices so much as condition on the first set of pics. They are over priced based on condition. What's your budget? There are plenty of sites that sell new razors, shave ready. Also the classifieds have good razors constantly. I may have something you'd be interested in as well. Send me a PM if you want to know more.

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We don't do appraisals here. All of those razors are useable or can be restored. The issue is whether or not each of them is of sufficient worth in their current condition to justify the posted prices. We should not be addressing that given that we don't do appraisals here even in this end-around manner.

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Originally Posted by Utopian

We don't do appraisals here. All of those razors are useable or can be restored. The issue is whether or not each of them is of sufficient worth in their current condition to justify the posted prices. We should not be addressing that given that we don't do appraisals here even in this end-around manner.

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Agreed.

With few posts, the OP is searching to see if shown razors are summarily in given price ranges.
Any advise given would therefore seem as appraisals, as it were.

I would see nothing wrong, however, with the OP simply posting the razors and not posting numbers.
JMO

Filarmonicas lack meat to cope with too much around the bevel so you have to be on maximum guard.... kind of like buying an old jaguar.. never look at one with blinders always a magnifying glass

That puma has some nasty rot as well...

You cannot go wrong with a new Ralf Aust from SRD. I have the 5/8 round point ($100 new) and it is a wonderful shaver. Then you have no doubts about the edge being shave ready. That removes a big variable.