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Like a mad dog!
Is it just me, or has anybody else noticed how many shiny razors are showing up on the Bay, with the tell tale blue along the edges, what I like to call "Distemper"?
I wish I could grab these buffer happy madmen, and cram their faces into an 8" wheel full of 80grit!
Grrr, it makes me so angry, I could chew through my strop!
Another good reason for newbies to avoid eBay until they really know what they are looking at.
I have also noticed a lot of buffed or heavily sanded razors for sale lately - not all of them have the telltale blue discoloration. If I see a razor that looks like it's been buffed and I don't know who did the buffing I don't buy it.
Caveat emptor...
ugh, sometimes the buff job, while making the razor shiny, makes it look absolutely horrible. Mirror finishes have to be done correctly or it's just ugly. For example, the manufacturer stamp or the etch on the blade gets "pulled" and it looks like hell.
Also - I won't buy a razor if I see a spacer instead of a wedge.
I've bought a few off eBay that I'm sure have had work done . Like this Wade & Butcher
Attachment 88513. But it shaves like a dream. I don't object to a restored blade as long as it is done right.
the problem lies in knowing which ones are done right and which aren't, especially given the quality of some of the photos on ebay.
I've been saying this for some time now. Check the 'Ebay 101' thread and add to it. I would not buy a razor that looks like it was restored off ebay, period. As for bad pictures, only if I could get it for the price of shipping and is a blade I'm interested in. Lots of crap on the bay by people with $$ in there eyes.
The entire arena of restoration gets totally confused with conservation IMO.
The unknowing with their buffers,Dremels,compounds,beadblasters, cater to a very large group of idiots that want shiny, bright,sparkley crap.
The toll this takes in the compleate distruction of Fine razors,watches,guns,clocks is astounding.
The finest tools ever created are your hands and tools that do not plug into the wall,the best resto people understand this.
I will never buy a razor that has been raped by these idiots,nobody should,Rant over:(
It seems though that the razor community is to blame for this consequence since its created a new market for razors that did not exist 5-8 years ago. Just the other day I was at a flea market and this guy wanted $30 for a razor that was almost completely down to the hollow and the same for a cracked blade unable to get past the stamp on the tang. Likely the chip was a result of the polishing.
Sounds like another arguement for razors with patina. This way you can totally control how much sanding is done and you know it's done right. I don't own an ebay razor (all of mine are bought locally). There's a similar phenomena with pipes though, I've seen and heard of guys buying old tobacco pipes on Ebay (some advertised as NOS) that have merely had the inside of the bowl sanded out removing an old layer and exposing a fresh layer. The result is the pipe looks new and the bowl will become VERY hot during smoking and burn through in short order.
It ain't just shiny razors gentlemen. They're doing the same thing to pocket knives. NICE old knives that "cleaned to near mint" to quote the sellers. Problem is, folks are paying BIG bucks for raped knives. I've sent a few back that weren't advertised as "cleaned" and left some lackluster feedback for those gave blow back when called on it.
Like has been stated above, know what you're looking at and if in doubt, pass on it, or throw a bid at it that won't break you if you do win it. I bid on stuff all the time. Occasionally I win one.
Plus one on leaving the patina! Very rarely do I personally want a mirror finish on something as old as an antique razor or knife. Just my opinion of course, I notice most are nice and shiny on here. That's cool too but not required for my collection.
I stopped buying anything that did not have pictures equal to what I put in my own auctions.
You can just about guarantee that the one spot poorly photographed or omitted completely is where the deal-killer flaw(s) lies.
Yea, I dont mind taking a chance now and then, but it never ceases to amaze me how people are willing to bid on obviously damaged goods.
