Thread: Why are prices so different for the same razor model?

Or how do I work out condition based on photos? What am I missing?

If you have to ask yourself these questions, you probably should not be shopping cut-throat razors on eBay.

This primer might shed some light on the photography issues: Straight Razor Magazine: The Straight Razor Magazine's eBay Purchasing Primer. That said, some people present their commonplace razors in fancy ways, and get away with it while fetching very high prices.

Take the Filarmonica line of razors. Bog standard Solingen issue blades, mostly ground and finished in Solingen if the locals are to be believed (And why shouldn't they? After all no one has come up with positive proof of any razor production going on in Spain so far?).

Are they any better than their contemporary Solingen brethren? I have tried a few, and they were not. The only razors able to exceed, on average, vintage Solingen razors came from Sweden (no, not Heljestrand), or Japan (no, not Kamisori type razors).

Yet people are willing to for out seemingly any amount of money, with four digit figures becoming the norm, rather than the exception. Why? Hype, greed, and lack of information would be my explanation. That, and the unkillable superstition that a certain razor will make one better at shaving. Which, in my experience, is bollocks.

So, my personal advice is to stay away from eBay. Very few people are able to get their money's worth from eBay when buying cut-throat razors.

I can't find the nice vintage Japanese or Swedish razors in an antiques shop in Australia. If I wanted to expand my razors what other options do I have. Better go in better informed than otherwise.

Ps. I cheated and got someone else to evaluate my buys beforehand. But I can't do that all the time.

There is a [Wanted] section in the classifieds :<0) I just looked and somebody cleaned it up since the last time I looked and I think it is a part of the classifieds that is under used. Shopping for razors on e-Bay is almost an art form. Not only do you have to judge the condition of the razor but the picture itself. I started with inexpensive razors and learned as I went. This may cost you more than the razor your looking for but you could always turn around and relist them. I would only do this if you plan on shopping there a lot.
Your post here may get someone to part with what your looking for and you could always ask in a PM if you see something you like.

Like the shave itself, be patient , watch, and learn !

Originally Posted by RobinK

If you have to ask yourself these questions, you probably should not be shopping cut-throat razors on eBay.

This primer might shed some light on the photography issues: Straight Razor Magazine: The Straight Razor Magazine's eBay Purchasing Primer. That said, some people present their commonplace razors in fancy ways, and get away with it while fetching very high prices.

Take the Filarmonica line of razors. Bog standard Solingen issue blades, mostly ground and finished in Solingen if the locals are to be believed (And why shouldn't they? After all no one has come up with positive proof of any razor production going on in Spain so far?).

Are they any better than their contemporary Solingen brethren? I have tried a few, and they were not. The only razors able to exceed, on average, vintage Solingen razors came from Sweden (no, not Heljestrand), or Japan (no, not Kamisori type razors).

Yet people are willing to for out seemingly any amount of money, with four digit figures becoming the norm, rather than the exception. Why? Hype, greed, and lack of information would be my explanation. That, and the unkillable superstition that a certain razor will make one better at shaving. Which, in my experience, is bollocks.

So, my personal advice is to stay away from eBay. Very few people are able to get their money's worth from eBay when buying cut-throat razors.

Btw thanks for the link. Was very helpful.

It depends on what you're looking for. When I started out I wanted to learn to hone my own razors and to do it well. So I bought some pro honed razors from known honers on SRP to start with. A few. I used them to shave with, and as a benchmark to judge my own honing on ebay razors I bought. Some vintage razors attain cult status and will cost a pretty penny, while other lesser known Solingen, USA, Sheffield, Swedish, Japanese razors will cost far less.

The key is condition. I'd much rather have an unknown brand vintage razor in really nice condition than a Filarmonica, or Dubl Duck Wonderedge with uneven hone and blade wear. Early on I bought razors with frowns and I did learn how to fix that .......... don't buy it ! It doesn't have to be listed in all the razor collector books to be a great shaver. So buy a few to learn on that won't break the bank ......... unless you lean toward collecting and have disposable income. Then knock yourself out.

You are trying to apply logic to ebay... Ebay is anything but logical... my advice if you want to deal with ebay is set the mental price you want an engstrom, Dahlgren, etc at in good shape and just set that bid when you see one you like. You are bound to win one at the price you want, if not a lot less.

Originally Posted by Rami

I can't find the nice vintage Japanese or Swedish razors in an antiques shop in Australia. If I wanted to expand my razors what other options do I have. Better go in better informed than otherwise.

Ps. I cheated and got someone else to evaluate my buys beforehand. But I can't do that all the time.

Rami, for some reason Aussie and NZ ended up with more than their fare share of Bengall razors. Don't know why that is, but I rank them as good as anything I have tried. They take a great edge and hold it for a long time. Most are plain jane, but they get the job done. Find a good one and you won't be disappointed.

Originally Posted by Grazor

Rami, for some reason Aussie and NZ ended up with more than their fare share of Bengall razors. Don't know why that is, but I rank them as good as anything I have tried.

"The 'Bengall. brand was sold in the far East and Australasia, so it a rare brand in Europe/America. In Oz they were a dominant force in the market." [Source]

It was also suggested that they were military issue razors, but as far as I know, this has not been confirmed.

I used to own a few (I still own a Cadman), and they can be very nice. Also, last time I checked, they were still reasonably affordable. Either way, they present a much better alternative than this Giesen & Forsthoff made razor shaped object.

Originally Posted by RobinK

"The 'Bengall. brand was sold in the far East and Australasia, so it a rare brand in Europe/America. In Oz they were a dominant force in the market." [Source]

It was also suggested that they were military issue razors, but as far as I know, this has not been confirmed.

I used to own a few (I still own a Cadman), and they can be very nice. Also, last time I checked, they were still reasonably affordable. Either way, they present a much better alternative than this Giesen & Forsthoff made razor shaped object.

I can't confirm they were military issue either, but they were certainly common enough to have been amongst personal kit of that era.
It is a shame the current G&F offerings are rubbish, is Solingen on the down turn?
Haven't heard one bad thing about RA, can't help wonder why you would attempt to market something that doesn't deliver.
Surely reputation is everything for repeat sales, especially in a niche market.