Thread: Ebay

I Bought A Straight At A Flea Market For 12.00 Its Reads THE ACME RAZOR CELABRATED HARVARD CUTLERY CHICAGO ILL I Honed It And I Got A Great Shave.I Dont Know How Long It Will Hold Its Edge But Im Getting A Good Shave For 12.00.As I Look Around On Ebay Maybe We Are Paying To Much For SOME STRAIGHT RAZORS p.s does Anybody Know Anything About This Razor?

Originally Posted by terrylmtl

I Bought A Straight At A Flea Market For 12.00 Its Reads THE ACME RAZOR CELABRATED HARVARD CUTLERY CHICAGO ILL I Honed It And I Got A Great Shave.I Dont Know How Long It Will Hold Its Edge But Im Getting A Good Shave For 12.00.As I Look Around On Ebay Maybe We Are Paying To Much For SOME STRAIGHT RAZORS p.s does Anybody Know Anything About This Razor?

Very true,
I have gotten superb shaves from many not popular even unknown razors.

Originally Posted by terrylmtl

As I Look Around On Ebay Maybe We Are Paying To Much For SOME STRAIGHT RAZORS

Well, yes. I put an example into Shopping list for beginners - Straight Razor Place Wiki. There is a good reason why we encourage beginners not to buy from online auction sites. Actually, there are several. The times when you could be reasonably confident to get a good deal on these sites are mostly gone, and our classifieds usually deliver much better value for money - and more consistently.

Flea markets are usually hit and miss . Most of the razors I've gotten at flea markets are not in the best condition , but you can usually get something half decent for $10-15 or less . Sometimes you can get lucky and get something real nice for $15 or less . I try not to seem like I want the razor too much , that way I can usually talk the price down . I usually start off by asking ,"how much do you want for that old straight razor" ? The reply is usually something between $10 and $20 , and we usually settle on a price around 2/3 the asking price . The reason ebay costs more is because there are many people looking for straight razors on ebay , whereas I'm usually the only person looking for one at the flea market . So the seller will usually take whatever they can get from some "nut" that wants to buy a "useless" old straight razor

The biggest advantage to buying at a flea market or an antique store is that you can hold the razor in your hand and closely examine it. On eBay you are handicapped by only having the seller's description and some, usually, fuzzy photographs to make your decision from. I will admit that I have made some great buys on eBay, but I have also made a few really bad purchases that were predicated on my assumption that the razor was a good buy without asking the seller the specific questions that may have changed my mind about bidding. I 've always felt this was my fault for not asking. "Caveat emptor" . . let the buyer beware should be the byword of any eBay purchase. If you get stuck with a looser, you should have asked more questions.

Regards - Walt

Don't know the brand but I'd be willing to bet the edge is very durable. Generally speaking early USA razor industry used good steel & obviously good manufacturing processes.
Immigrant Sheffielders didn't hurt the industry either

I personally haven't bought any of my razors from eBay. I currently have about 12 and have all come from antique shops. One of my latest finds was a Fredrick Reynolds 7/8 with trashed tortise shell scales. The price was marked $15 and I offered them half and they took it. The blade had a little pitting, but has cleaned up beautifully. I still have to get around to putting on the new scales though.

But, yeah, comparing the prices to eBay and my antique shops, I probably won't buy from eBay.