Thread: Ebay: John Primbles?

Hello,

I have a John Primble India Steel 1062 razor (hollow grind, barber's notch) that I shave with. One of the scales is cracked, but the blade is in great condition and still has etching on it.

As a result of owning this blade, I have become curious about John Primbles, but there doesn't seem to be much information out there. Then I found myself looking at eBay and noticed that there are a number of Primbles up for sale, mostly with the "Buy It Now" feature, and mostly (but not all) for a little bit of dough.

Here are some examples:
John Primble India Steel Works 1034 1/2 Straight Razor - eBay (item 130307395584 end time May-13-10 15:43:33 PDT)
John Primble India Steel Works 1030 5/8 Straight Razor - eBay (item 110391998286 end time May-13-10 15:47:49 PDT)
John Primble India Steel Works 1019 5/8 Straight Razor - eBay (item 130350858927 end time May-07-10 13:35:53 PDT)

It seems that Primble knives and razors are "collectibles." Does this explain how someone could ask so much for a corroded, non-shave ready blade?
I guess my general question is, is there a reason why John Primbles specifically "collectible"?

Thanks.

Originally Posted by ehammers

Hello,

I have a John Primble India Steel 1062 razor (hollow grind, barber's notch) that I shave with. One of the scales is cracked, but the blade is in great condition and still has etching on it.

As a result of owning this blade, I have become curious about John Primbles, but there doesn't seem to be much information out there. Then I found myself looking at eBay and noticed that there are a number of Primbles up for sale, mostly with the "Buy It Now" feature, and mostly (but not all) for a little bit of dough.

Here are some examples:
John Primble India Steel Works 1034 1/2 Straight Razor - eBay (item 130307395584 end time May-13-10 15:43:33 PDT)
John Primble India Steel Works 1030 5/8 Straight Razor - eBay (item 110391998286 end time May-13-10 15:47:49 PDT)
John Primble India Steel Works 1019 5/8 Straight Razor - eBay (item 130350858927 end time May-07-10 13:35:53 PDT)

It seems that Primble knives and razors are "collectibles." Does this explain how someone could ask so much for a corroded, non-shave ready blade?
I guess my general question is, is there a reason why John Primbles specifically "collectible"?

Thanks.

Short answer? Because on eBay, EVERYTHING is collectible. And RARE! And "NEAR MINT", usually capitalized, never spelled entirely correctly...

Looking at those listings, it's they seem to be from the "It's an antique, so it's worth a lot" school of thought.
I'm sure John made great razors, but keep an eye on them & see if they actually sell. If they do, we need to find the fool doing the buying!

+1, I agree with the guys above.

As an aside, this is part of the reason why we say to new guys to stay away from eBay until they know a bit more about the hobby! Theres a lot of overpriced/ junk (or both!) out there.

Personally, I'd stay away from anything with a BIN button. I've yet to see a decent razor with a BIN option, and the more I browse, the more it confirms to me that the only reason someone uses a BIN button is because they know what they're selling is junk and they're hoping someone will pay over the odds for it due to inexperience or something.

People with a good razor, and who know its a good razor, seem to let stuff go to auction because they know they'll get a fair price for it.

Thats not always the case, but 99.99% of the time it does seem to be!

John Primble 'India Steel Works' and Blue Grass are in the same class as Keen Kutter, Winchester and Case, among others, that are more well known among pocket knife collectors than straight razor wet shavers/collectors. So for some of the 'completest' brand collectors who want anything stamped with a particular marque it doesn't matter if it is a knife, razor, padlock or a hammer. Primble's old pocket knives have a dedicated following among knife collectors IME.

Originally Posted by Stubear

I've yet to see a decent razor with a BIN option, and the more I browse, the more it confirms to me that the only reason someone uses a BIN button is because they know what they're selling is junk and they're hoping someone will pay over the odds for it be!

Well, what can I say but what a lot of ill-informed twaddle that is! Mind you, generalisations often are. That particular seller has nearly 2700 feedback comments, 100% positive. As more knowledgable contributors like JimmyHAD point out, there are more than just users interested here, there are collectors. What is junk to one is precious to the other. Two different worlds.

As far as I can see there is a 'make an offer' option too, so it's not strictly BIN, though I cannot see anything wrong with BIN, for what its worth. Ebay has become more like a shop than an auction site, so its not entirely surprising that sellers are using it in a shop-like way: BIN is how you pay for things in shops. Doesn't mean it is junk.

Perhaps his opening offer is too high - that's not to say he won't take a lesser offer. If he doesn't sell his items it still doesn't make them junk - it just means that he wants more than people are prepared to pay.

When I sold razors on Ebay I often used the BIN option - why? Because I'm not totally mad - I didn't want to go out looking for razors to restore, pay for them, restore them to shave ready and pay Ebay part of my earnings and a listing fee and risk losing money on the deal! I had over 8500 feedback comments - 100% positive. My stuff most certainly was not junk.

I've dealt with a lot of other Ebay sellers who use BIN and sell quality items at a fair price. Undoubtedly there are people without sruples out there who will fleece you and give you junk in return, but you can't paint everyone with the same brush. That's a fact of life.

Regards,
Neil

Originally Posted by Neil Miller

When I sold razors on Ebay I often used the BIN option - why? Because I'm not totally mad - I didn't want to go out looking for razors to restore, pay for them, restore them to shave ready and pay Ebay part of my earnings and a listing fee and risk losing money on the deal! I had over 8500 feedback comments - 100% positive. My stuff most certainly was not junk.

Hi Neil,

Maybe I was too general there, for which I apologise. But my point is that, from what I've seen, one heck of a lot of the razors that are being sold under BIN are not ones that I would consider to be in good condition.

Granted, you can make an offer, and eBay is turning into more of an online store, but its been my experience that a lot of BIN razors are in pretty poor nick. JMHO of course, but thats what I've seen!

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

John Primble 'India Steel Works' and Blue Grass are in the same class as Keen Kutter, Winchester and Case, among others, that are more well known among pocket knife collectors than straight razor wet shavers/collectors. So for some of the 'completest' brand collectors who want anything stamped with a particular marque it doesn't matter if it is a knife, razor, padlock or a hammer. Primble's old pocket knives have a dedicated following among knife collectors IME.

Thanks for the information. Now I have a better handle on how to place them within the constellation of straight razors.

With Primbles there is a double whammy against you before you can even buy one - you are competing against the knife collectors, and if it is a Belknap Primble you are competing against the Belknap Hardware collectors as well (yes, there is such a group - look at the prices some good condition Belknap Hardware hand tools fetch on occasion).

I just bought a Belknap Primble for sentimental reasons (my grandfather sold and used Belknap Primbles) and I will be the first to admit I overpaid for it. But it looks like it will clean up good, and I consider it a prize.