To be or not to be (shave ready that is)

So a friend of mine is wanting to sell some of his straights in his collection. I am not asking what they are worth or if you want to buy them, but we were discussing whether or not they would be worth more honed up or not. I was thinking that to us people with RAD and experience honing wouldn't care if it was shave ready or not as we would normally re-hone it to our personal likings anyways before use. However, I was also thinking that if it is made shave ready before selling then it would appeal to people who don't have experience with honing or someone looking to get into straights.

He thinks the razors should just be left alone in their current condition with no claims to shave readiness as more people will want something that hasn't been messed with, or messed with as little as possible being they're all vintage razors no NOS or new current production. Also another point he brought up was that my shave ready and your shave ready could be very different and thus a buyer could demand a return or leave negative feed back because the razor wasn't sharp enough to shave a porcupine with one clean swipe.

So what do you guys think. I have bought plenty of razors on the bay but never sold one so I really don't know. Actually never sold anything on the bay before so I don't really know.

I would just make them as presentable as possible and take really good photos. I think really good photos would be more of a selling advantage, than a couple of shots without detail. I would not shave ready them, let the buyer make the decision. JMO. :shrug:

I agree with your friend unless he is willing to offer a complimentary rehoning if needed.

Don't promise what you are not willing to back.

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Originally Posted by cosperryan

So a friend of mine is wanting to sell some of his straights in his collection. I am not asking what they are worth or if you want to buy them, but we were discussing whether or not they would be worth more honed up or not. I was thinking that to us people with RAD and experience honing wouldn't care if it was shave ready or not as we would normally re-hone it to our personal likings anyways before use. However, I was also thinking that if it is made shave ready before selling then it would appeal to people who don't have experience with honing or someone looking to get into straights.

He thinks the razors should just be left alone in their current condition with no claims to shave readiness as more people will want something that hasn't been messed with, or messed with as little as possible being they're all vintage razors no NOS or new current production. Also another point he brought up was that my shave ready and your shave ready could be very different and thus a buyer could demand a return or leave negative feed back because the razor wasn't sharp enough to shave a porcupine with one clean swipe.

So what do you guys think. I have bought plenty of razors on the bay but never sold one so I really don't know. Actually never sold anything on the bay before so I don't really know.

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I would agree with him...if something needs to be done, I'd like to decide what needs to be done and how to do it.....YMMV as always.;)

Either way, I wouldn't market them as "shave ready" you could say that they are honed to the point that he shaves with, appealing to those,like me, looking to buy their first razor. I agree that "shave ready" does differ from person to person, depending on various factors, so marketing as shave ready is really pointless. But it is nice to the newbies to know that they could *attempt* a shave with it out of the box, and like you mentioned, those experienced would re hone anyway. So why not get them honed up and to the point he'd shave with them and just say that, but not necessarily "shave ready".

I'll send you a pm [emoji6]

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Originally Posted by Nhyrum

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I'll send you a pm, as I am interested in a purchase, but will keep that private.

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Not anymore,, it's not :roflmao

,,,,,but I understand your intent, no problem :D

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Originally Posted by Hirlau

Not anymore,, it's not :roflmao

,,,,,but I understand your intent, no problem :D

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Well if you're going to be that way! [emoji35] edited! 😂 [emoji106] (no offense taken fwiw)

Whenever I see "shave ready" on the bay I never really believe it anyway. Maybe some on there actually are, I don't know. I would play it safe and not claim shave ready. Here's a razor, it's used, here's everything that's wrong with it, here's lots of pictures. Be totally honest and inform the buyer of everything. For the times that I use that site, those are the kinds of sellers that get my bids anyway.

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Originally Posted by Nhyrum

Well if you're going to be that way! [emoji35] edited! �� [emoji106] (no offense taken fwiw)

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I'm just kidding you, I hope you find something you like.

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Originally Posted by Hirlau

I'm just kidding you, I hope you find something you like.

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I know, and I was returning the favor. I shouldn't be in the hunt too much longer.

Shave ready has become a cliché on ebay. I saw a listing for a DE razor and the seller claimed it was 'shave ready.' It seems like the past few years every other razor you see on the bay is advertised that way.

I just did an advanced search on ebay. 'Exact words, exact order' ....... 2,115 results for "Shave Ready." Then I went to completed items for shave ready. 1,764 results for "Shave Ready" A lot of unsold razors. Some good vintage razors that sold for between $20 to $30 or thereabouts.

Since the average price for honing used to be $20.00, I have no idea what it is now, I'd say I'd list them as is. OTOH, if it is a sought after brand, or a rare piece, it will probably bring a good buck one way or the other. :gl:

A razor either shaves ... Or not. I have a few razors and I can count on two hands how many shaved as-received.
Unless you know who you are dealing with, assume it will not shave.

I always set them on a 1k and do my thing unless I see something interesting?

Claiming they are shave-ready is asking for trouble. Buyer may disagree with your qualification. Good pictures and honest description is the best you can do.

Well thanks for the settlement in the argument. I guess he wins.

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Originally Posted by sharptonn

I have a few razors

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....:rofl2:

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Originally Posted by markbignosekelly

....:rofl2:

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Gotta join ya, Mark.
[emoji5][emoji1] [emoji38] [emoji23] [emoji90] [emoji32]

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Originally Posted by markbignosekelly

....:rofl2:

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Originally Posted by outback

Gotta join ya, Mark.
[emoji5][emoji1] [emoji38] [emoji23] [emoji90] [emoji32]

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HEY! I Have NO ideer what you fellas are implying here! :shrug:


:D

Personally, I have yet to buy a shave ready razor off the EBAY. I don't usually look for that though and am more interested in just a brand or size / type razor I can get enthusiastic about. I am usually more interested in wear and scale integrity and minimal oxidation if possible. Shave ready is not a deal breaker for me but I can understand its importance for new guys that want something turnkey as they say. I think just being honest on the description and condition and priced accordingly shouldn't get you any bad marks in the Ebay world.

Better pay a recognized honemeister to do the job than paying a premium to an unknown ebay seller who claims his razor is shave-ready.