Is it BS...

Yes folks it's time again for you favorite game show, "IS IT B.S.???"

Today we have for you a lovely J.R. Torrey razor listed on a popular online bidding site. The seller boldly states that it has "Geniune Ivory Handle". Yes, you read right.

Now, the over exposed pictures don't show much and the blade is not particularly special. Nice, but nothing jaw dropping.

So, this question is put to you contestants....

IS.... IT... B.S. ?????

Straight Razor J.R.Torrey Geniune Ivory Handle - eBay (item 320334533169 end time Jan-29-09 07:32:18 PST)
:tu

This would be a coin toss to call w/o asking the seller what he/she bases the statement on. With the quality of the pictures provided and the asking price and no or vague response from seller I would take the chance of error and say no. :confused:

I've bought a few nice razors from that seller, always as described. Also, that Torrey has collarless pins (I think?). Could be.

I bought a Green Lizard and a Wolstenholm pipe from him a year or so ago. At the time he had a steady stream or razors up. They were basically as described but the lizard had a lot of micro chipping that you needed an eye loupe to see. If a person was a collector rather then a shaver they wouldn't have been noticed.

He has had that razor up a few times over the last year. Always at that price and it obviously has never sold. Whether he knows the difference between genuine ivory and celluloid or not I can't say. Seems like a hefty price for a 5/8 Torrey ivory scales or not. :shrug:

Typically ivory scales are thin thin thin. Ask the seller if they're about 1/16 of an inch thick. if so, then they're likely ivory. Better yet, just ask for a picture from the top down, so you can see the thickness of the scales.

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Originally Posted by Sandcounty

I've bought a few nice razors from that seller, always as described. Also, that Torrey has collarless pins (I think?). Could be.

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Same here. She is also very responsive to questions, and gives free shipping for repeat buyers. However, as Jimmy said, the price is quite steep, ivory or not, so personally, I would not even bother.

I got one from her as well, and am very satisfied with it. But, like everyone else, I believe the price is way too much for that razor...

I'd lean on being genuine ivory. And yeah it hasn't sold for a while now, but I've seen worse razors sell for more. I'd consider it over most new razors in its price range, though, but then again I like unusual looking blades and ivory probably more than most people do.
I've had good experience with the seller. Once a razor turned out to be cracked and it was accepted back without any problems.

:hmmm: Hmmmm. If it were ivory wouldnt it have yellowed a bit by now, those white scales seem a little on the bright side.

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blade has been stropped or honed.you can see the marks

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If she doesn't know the difference between honing and stropping (marks) then I doubt she knows if it's real ivory or fake.

Looks like it could be ivory. It isn't always yellow, especially if you clean it up. Regardless, it looks like a nice razor that's in good condition. I think sometimes we are too used to eBay 'steals' to realize that this price range is probably accurate at least. IMO and all.

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Originally Posted by Rajagra

If she doesn't know the difference between honing and stropping (marks) then I doubt she knows if it's real ivory or fake.

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A person can know tons about ivory without ever honing or using a straight! I don't follow your thinking.

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Originally Posted by JMS

A person can know tons about ivory without ever honing or using a straight! I don't follow your thinking.

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My point is that she displays limited knowledge of razors. And it's a razor being sold.
And since you mention it there is no evidence (from this auction) that she knows about ivory in general.

My thinking is simply that she has not demonstrated any relevant expertise, so her claim shouldn't be assumed true any more than if it were from your average eBay seller.

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Originally Posted by Rajagra

My point is that she displays limited knowledge of razors. And it's a razor being sold.
And since you mention it there is no evidence (from this auction) that she knows about ivory in general.

My thinking is simply that she has not demonstrated any relevant expertise, so her claim shouldn't be assumed true any more than if it were from your average eBay seller.

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Got you! Thanks!!

Well, as far as expertise goes, I am in favor of the seller being correct. I've bought a few razors from this seller and occasionally look at their auctions. My impression from that is not that the seller is trying to make an unsubstantiated claims to make some extra money.
This is the only auction of this seller that I can remember indicating the material so strongly, so given that the seller is generally conservative with their descriptions, I think it's more likely they are correct with this one.
Did I already vote 'not B.S.'?

I guess we'll soon find out!:D I have the exact model in black scales! I thought they would make a nice two razor set!!


I couldn't help myself...really! :w

I put in a low offer and it was accepted!!:D:D

Wow, really? Good for you. It is, indeed, a nice looking razor. I hope the wrong message was not sent out by my initial post. I have no doubt that the seller is a stand up person. I was just trying to inject some humor into an otherwise bland question. :)

Hey JMS, let us know how it turns out.

Thanks.

I declare it ivory! And a beauty with a few scratches!

see, i toldya so ";"
enjoy