Thread: What to look for in a listing, sellers, and advice for a beginner.

Hey All!

So, this is my second post to SRP, and I'm really satisfied with my experience; everyone has been very helpful so far! I'm also getting to the point where my college buddies I live with are making fun of me for how much I'm reading about straights...

Ok, I guess I should start off by saying that I am dangerously close to pulling the trigger on ebay (I've bid on listings already and lost them all), but I haven't seriously bid on something that I expected to win. That being said, I'm kind of glad I haven't won on anything yet because I probably could have made a big mistake.

Now, here is the listing I'm most intrigued by:
SPECIAL SALE #32- Rare! Straight Razor:72 1/2 J.A.HENCKELS SOLINGEN GERMANY | eBay

Can anyone tell me about this razor in particular, whether it is vintage, NOS, or one of the new regrinds that were recently released. I have no idea how to distinguish between them, so some clarification here would be fantastic. I guess I'm looking for some know-how on what key things I should be looking for in a listing that will indicate whether something is a good value or not.

Also, if you care to do more digging, this seller seems to be much more "professional" than others (despite only having 370 feedbacks), particularly in the picture collage setup they have there. This professionalism, the price tag, the location of the seller (Japan), and the fact that this seller has a lot of items like this one are all red flags. The positives are their feedback, and that recently people seem satisfied with the razors they're getting. Any thoughts here?

Bottom line, I think I need a Str8 razor-ebay 101 lesson. Anyone willing to take me up?

Thanks,
Terp11

Hi Terp! Welcome to SRP from a fellow rookie member.
I'd pass on that razor. It just looks too good to be true. I think you'd be better off buying from a vendor here on SRP. I lack the knowledge to "name names" re: from whom to buy, whom to avoid, etc., but based on other members' comments I've read, most sellers here are reputable.
Except for the experienced restoration artisans, most members here eschew eBay razors, and usually for good reasons: no photo can show the real condition of the blade/scales, lack of shave-readiness, sellers overpricing their wares, outright lying, etc. "Caveat emptor" very much applies to eBay.
If a more experienced buyer of razors posts here, perhaps s/he would be kind enough to PM you re: quality razors currently for sale in the classifieds, i.e. which buyers are noteworthy and their opinion(s) of the razors currently listed. Hope this helps. Sorry for the rambling

I can't see anything wrong with the razor or the price.
There is a thread about what to look for in eBay razors, however, I can't locate it ATM.
I've bought most of my razors on eBay and haven't had any real dramas.
Just ask the seller anything you want to know and (most of them) are pretty easy to get on with - those that aren't you can just ignore, just like the ones that charge over $30 to post an item.
Hang on and enjoy the ride

Welcome to the forum,
Ill echo the above, I have bought a lot on ebay without any serious problems. Just remember ebay is a bit of a gamble, sure if your not satisfied you could send it back but who has the time for that....

Try to save your bids for the last 10 seconds this will keep yourself from getting into bid wars, not sure whos quote this is, but its helped me save a lot of money! "bid low, bid often"

Also you can kiss that razor goodbye now that 10 people have seen it. Posting a link to a live auction is a big "no no", most of us believe that we are the only ones watching the auction so when a link, or advertisment is posted, drama is created.

Originally Posted by Terp11

(snap)
Bottom line, I think I need a Str8 razor-ebay 101 lesson. Anyone willing to take me up?

Search and you will find.
Joed's thread: ebay101

Here is a hint,,,

When a razor has been "Restored" the seller should be honest and up front and tell you the razor has been restored... It should be a matter of pride that they have the skills to restore the razor, not something left un-mentioned...


Sorry a pet peeve of mine with ebay sellers

It is a Genuine Vintage Henckels BTW, the 72 1/2 is a well known and quite common model, ie: not rare at all

If this your very first SR I would strongly suggest not getting it fro eBay. There multiple reason. One being you will have to send it out to be honed which will cost extra. Two eBay has been going nuts lately with prices. Three you can get a great blade already honed from the classifieds here or at whippeddog.com you can get a whole starter kit for around 50 dollars be set to go except for soap which you can get for a couple bucks at most drug stores (vdh or Williams)

In short there are much better options for buying a straight on the cheap for your fist try.

This seller has been mentioned here before for his crazy, haphazard pricing. At one point, if I remember correctly, he had a NOS DD Goldedge for the low price of $1200,BIN. At the same time he had a NOS Tosuke kamisori for under $100. Nothing wrong with the quality of the blades, just odd pricing.

Welcome to SRP. Two things to take into consideration are your lack of experience in knowing what to look for and whatever you get, if it is from ebay, may need honing at a minimum, and possibly restoration of sorts. Many of the people selling razors on ebay are clueless when it comes to straights so even if you know what questions to ask they may not know the correct answer with the razor sitting in front of them. So whatever the final price is add the honing and whatever to that, plus shipping to wherever you get the service done.

The SRP classifieds is a better bet. You'll stand a much better chance of getting a working tool that is ready to go. Personally I'd recommend buying an entry level Dovo razor/strop combo from Straight Razor Designs, Classic Shaving or Vintage Blades. Since you don't know for sure whether straight razor shaving is going to be your cup of tea , making a minimum investment to start is a wise way to go. With a brand new razor, professionally honed, you can get most for your money out of it if you decide it isn't 'for you.'

SRD offers the initial and the second honing free so that is something to take into consideration. It is usually a twenty dollar job from most of those who do it. IIRC the other vendors charge the fore mentioned fee to hone a new razor. You'll need a strop so that is why I suggest the combo. A 5/8 or a 6/8 size is recommended for the average person. Once you know you're going to stick with it you can add to your rotation with more razors and you'll know more about what to look for.

I agree with the ones that are mentioning to pass on it. Unless it really speaks to you, you can get something for the same price or better from members on this forum that will provide a shave ready blade. The price isn't the concern to me, more the shave ready part, that I believe someone else mentioned on this thread already. Check out Glenn's site gemstarcustoms.com as well.

I also want to echo the comment that posting live auctions isn't a good idea if you want the razor. You'll have a couple of situations. First, someone else might be watching it and waiting until the end to avoid a bidding war. Second, you will be bringing the razor to the attention of a large number of razor collectors that have AD's.