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Hi Gents what do you think of this, the word soligen and the price, made me think this is too good to be true.
Elegant Solingen Cut Throat Straight Razor Shaver - NEW | eBay
Anyone heard of these or tried one before.
Interested in your thoughts
Cheers
Look at the sellers feedback.
If something seems too good to be true, it usually IS. I wouldn't touch a seller that responded to customers like that with a barge pole!
That sums its up for me - regardless of whether or not the item in this case is what he says, which seems doubtful at best, I wouldn't deal with someone that rude!Quote:
Originally Posted by MickRussell
Ok I hear what your all saying about the seller, but I have seen these on Amazon for roughly the same price from a different sellers.
There are no product reviews on Amazon, so im not sure what they are like.I know there is one guy on ebay saying it does'nt shave but its not uncommon for new razors not to be shave ready that require honing.
I suppose my main question is have any of you heard of them and what are they like?
Yes, it sounds like customers were placed on earth because he is entitled to an income. Some of his feedback refers to scissors not being German, and his spirited response said they were made by Elegant in Germany. Another says a razor wasn't made in Germany or by Dovo - the latter not being mentioned in the auction, but perhaps it has been sanitised.
I believe I've heard of parts from Pakistan (I think) being assembled in Germany, which gives an approximate right to be called made in Germany. Another has a curious shoulder shape which is strongly reminiscent of the much-maligned Chinese Gold Dollar. I bought a couple of the latter, mainly to find out whether important straight razors would get through the Saudi Arabian customs, which they did - and I found those examples not at all bad, and well worth $7 or so. But I wasn't paying eight times as much because they were made in Germany.
There doesn't appear to be a tang stamp, which leads me to believe these things aren't actually made in Germany. Maybe assembled there, maybe the steel was purchased there, but most likely not actually made there.
Generally speaking, avoid stuff w/o a tang stamp (unless its a custom, etc.). If the price is what is appealing, holli4pirating has a few vintage, shave ready pieces up right now that are not much more, plus you know it's good steel. And sharp.
I currently have a similar ebay purchase on it's way to me that 'claims' to be German steel (same 'brand' as this but not this item:Straight Shave Razor Wooden Handle Sealed Packing new | eBay UK)Quote:
Originally Posted by mowfow71
I plan to use this as a learning razor, to teach myself first stropping properly and eventually honing.
I can hope that it is reasonable steel, but I don't hold out great hope. I won't be disappointed if it's a bit, how shall I put this, lacking, on the quality side ;)
This is mentioned in the wiki somewhere I believe :)Quote:
I believe I've heard of parts from Pakistan (I think) being assembled in Germany
There is no such thing as cheap quality.
You may be able to find very good cheap deals in local antique stores etc, but not on e-bay.
A quality new straight will cost some money and there is no way around it.
If you check the classifieds you will find many nice vintage razors at very affordable prices.
Keep in mind different countries have wildly varying laws concerning what determines calling a product made in... In some cases you can take a product and manufacture it totally abroad, import it, warehouse it, and perform some perfunctory operation on it and you can call it made in... You have to check to know. As far as buying goes the watchphrase is "Buy the seller then the product".
Further to what TBS said, some bad makers from out east were shipping their blades to Germany for assembly, so they could put the solingen mark on them.
If it looks too good to be true then it probably is..!
Looks like cheap junk to me, but it's your money and facial skin you're risking.
If you go for it keep in mind that you're going to be more or less on your own. If it works for you - great, if it doesn't you'll always second guess the razor.
Elegant Solingen is the brand name not a guarantee of the maker or location. Incidentally they also make these
Beauty Box Vanity Makeup Compact Case- Elegant Solingen: Amazon.co.uk: Health & Beauty
Now I've heard of diversification in industry but really ????
It looks like the photos are drawn and not real to me. My decision is usually made up for me regarding razors if it is a stock photo on eBay. Stock photos only work for me from reputable vendors and companies such as Boker, Dovo, Thiers, etc. especially if the price seems too good for what is being offered.
The big loophole there is that you can be a whole lot safer importing the thing somewhere else besides Germany. The marking on the blade may well be baked-on epoxy, or whatever they are calling paint nowadays, and quite different if anybody is actually peddling the things in Germany.Quote:
Originally Posted by thebigspendur
Again, that is probably something Germany can deal with, if it is done in Germany - just like America probably could if car parts had Detroit in the name. I think this is the name (or whatever) for their non-German trade.Quote:
Originally Posted by onimaru55
I only looked through a couple of pages of feedback, but the seller called the buyer stupid on several occasions. Seller is a tool. Not a useful tool either.