Better look out, Jimbos been at it with the power grinder again!

[Pete_S]

Like most here who occasionally buy off ebay, I've had the pleasure of buying a razor that's been ruined by some pot-bellied dimwit who, after having a few miller lites, attacked the razor with a power grinder in an attempt to squeeze a couple more bucks out of his sordid auction. Since I really don't like losing money, especially to pot-bellied dimwits, I keep an eye out for this sort of thing, as I'm sure many others do here. Now, I cant say for certain that ebay seller jimbo14__ is a pot bellied dimwit (not having met him) but I can say with relative certainty that he has gone after his razors with a power sander... or perhaps even an angle grinder. Here are a few of his current listings. I think he has about 20 razors up now, ending today, Sunday the 11th.

(I should note this has nothing do do with Jimbo here on SRP)


This one just looks too shiny, the brass spine is especially suspicious since brass of any age has a patina.

Antique Straight Razor Joh.Engstrom ESKILSTUNA Sweden " - eBay (item 320434395029 end time Oct-11-09 20:12:57 PDT)

Final close up here looks really ground.

Antique Straight Razor "SPIKE"Union Cutlery - eBay (item 320433649772 end time Oct-11-09 18:08:37 PDT)

This is pretty conclusive proof. There is still rust in some of the pits, and many large deep scratches visible.

Antique Straight Razor"BENGALL"Extra Holoow GroundRazor - eBay (item 320433646436 end time Oct-11-09 17:53:35 PDT)


This one is particularly interesting. The razor might look OK, except on closer inspection it looks like the tang has retained the original patina, while the rest of the blade has a fairly normal mirror-like shine, at least in these pictures.

Antique Straight Razor "Green Lizard" - eBay (item 320433402583 end time Oct-11-09 07:08:51 PDT)


The last one is pretty much a warning to stay away from all of this sellers listings, in my opinion. Even the razors that might be ok (from what can be seen in the pics) have likely been cleaned with a power tool. I'd recommend extreme caution if you're considering any of these... or just make sure you have a extra blade to go with the scales you just bought.


EDIT--
I came back to look at the thread, and I realized how much I hate exclamation points. Unfortunately I can't edit the title.

[ursus]

I've seen one of those eskiltuna blades with brass spine here. It's legit I think. Can't say if the others are enhanced pristine unique blades...

[AirColorado]

I have one of those Engstroms and it's MUCH more polished than that one. Mine has essentially the same overall shape and it's is one sweet and smooth razor! But mine has all of the blade - the one in the auction is missing a bit at the heel end. The brass strip is legit - on a full blade it really looks nice and is almost required due to the thickness of the blade itself. I'm not sure he messed with that one too much except maybe to try and remove rust? That one doesn't bother me much though. I wouldn't bid it and it looks like no one else did either.

I'd say for sure someone went to town on that spike with a Dremel heavy sanding tool (the oblong one maybe) and never bothered to hand sand using sandpaper to finish the job. But no bidders so no loss to anyone except the seller.

[Pete_S]

My problem with the Engstrom isn't that its polished, but that its polished by this seller. He uses power tools, and I'd bet he went after the blade as well. Unfortunately he's already relisted most of the blades that didn't sell, and he'll prolly continue to do so till they do sell, then someone will end up buying a razor with a good chance the tempers been ruined. Hopefully it'll be a collector that doesnt actually use them.

[AirColorado]

You're probably correct Pete. I think a word for sellers like him is relentless - among other not-so-nice descriptors. I've thought for a while that we should form some type of ebay straight razor truth and education posse. Really rail on those sellers like this guy and try to educate others that refuse to learn anything about the things they're selling. I almost immediately move to the next auction as soon as I read something like "I'm a housewife and don't know anything about these things..." What a bunch of bull! I noticed some woman last spring that was selling absolute junk and kept putting that phrase in all her razor auctions. After about 30 or so auctions she still insisted that she was ignorant about it all. I guess as long as guys buy junk, sellers will keep listing them.

I'l say one thing though - it sure does give us some really good humor every weekend!

[Jimbo]

No no, you are quite right. Those were sent to me for restoration.

James.

[Pete_S]

You're probably correct Pete. I think a word for sellers like him is relentless - among other not-so-nice descriptors. I've thought for a while that we should form some type of ebay straight razor truth and education posse. Really rail on those sellers like this guy and try to educate others that refuse to learn anything about the things they're selling. I almost immediately move to the next auction as soon as I read something like "I'm a housewife and don't know anything about these things..." What a bunch of bull! I noticed some woman last spring that was selling absolute junk and kept putting that phrase in all her razor auctions. After about 30 or so auctions she still insisted that she was ignorant about it all. I guess as long as guys buy junk, sellers will keep listing them.

I'l say one thing though - it sure does give us some really good humor every weekend!

Actually, now that you mention it, a wiki article on what to keep an eye out for (and not buy) on ebay might be a pretty good idea. Maybe there could be example of ebay pics vs what the razor actually looked like, things like that.