Thread: Oldest straight razor on eBay?

What does everyone think about this listing on eBay?
Is it really that awesome? What is so great about 1" width? Thanks in advance for the feedback.

Extremely RARE Very Old Antique Straight Razor | eBay

Well it really depends on what you know about SR's.. we don't do valuations on here so I will stay on just the facts

Non-original Scales, that are also way out of proportion.
Not all that old either, (in SR terms) note the tail on the razor, the really oldie mouldies have a stub tail..

I detest the words "Extremely Rare" that just tells me the seller doesn't really know the facts, I personally have restored 3 of these Tilliotson razors and honed a few more...
The Pawn Stars reference means jack squat to most SRP members, as we are all about the steel and the shave...

Other than that it all depends on what turns your SR prop

+1 to all Glen said! It reads like a pitch given by a salesman, not by a razor aficionado. If you're wondering what is meant by a stub tail, check out the beauties in this thread:

http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...d-shavers.html

Yeah, and touting some 'expert opinion' without providing any name of said expert sounds like a lot of marketing BS without real backup. Especially given all the errors in the evaluation that Glen already pointed out.

The seller also claims to have receipt but it does not reflect the real value of the razor because he 'got a deal'. That is a big red flag. The value of these razors is set by the market, so when the seller bought it it was exactly the number on the receipt. Not being upfront about that number does not instill any confidence in the seller.
If he is so certain about the higher value of that razor, why wouldn't he disclose the price he paid for it?
I really don't like when people try to have it both ways - "It's a really great thing right now, take my word for it, but I don't really want to tell you how it was valued when I was on the other side of the transaction".

It all pretty much screams 'stay away', the seller has put a high reserve and the only one to benefit from this transaction is them.

Originally Posted by sanojhsan

What does everyone think about this listing on eBay?

Welcome to SRP ! I would pass on that one.

Wasn't there just a thread not to long ago about this John Bull ? Maybe it was another folk hero. Seems like that blade was also the oldest on the planet and worth much more than this one. Although it was never on TV. Not to high jack the thread but I have just got 1 marked Warranted and I thought I read somewhere that blades marked with that were 1750 to 1810 ? Don't know where right now but just saying. I don't believe what I read in this ad except he bought it from some Pawn Stars and thinks he got a real deal on it. Oh and he forgot to use one word so I won't buy it. Primitive. :<0)

Now I got to go find that article on "warranted".....

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Welcome to SRP ! I would pass on that one.

Yes PLEASE pass on that one. Listen to these experienced people. They won't stear you wrong.

Welcome to SRP!

As others have mentioned, there are issues related to that listing that would cause experienced buyers some small concerns. Glen and Gugi have enumerated those admirably

But do not be downhearted! Ebay in general is an excellent source of data on razors and their worth at any particular moment in time. Find a few of a similar nature, whack them on your watch list, and see what happens. In the meantime, use SRP as an invaluable resource of what to look for in vintage razors, what is considered 'good', how to spot oldies etc etc.

Between these two sources of information you'll be on your feet in no time!

And just to touch on your last question, there's nothing that special about an 8/8 blade. Some people seem to like them and will pay more for them, but in terms of shaving it is purely subjective, by and large. It is the same with grinds - all a personal choice, though some people seem to like paying a lot of money for large wedge grinds. To each their own.

James.

Pictures are crap, but i can see a chip on the toe. Steering Clear.

I missed this earlier as the wife was chattering in my ear

The listing states it is stamped Sheffield England which normally indicates 1890 or newer but I can't really see the tail to make a better determination.. I have seen dates for the company up to 1859 but I am not positive after that

Just to be clear here though Tillotson razors are a well known brand, and the ones I have messed with were good shavers, it is just the listing is very disingenuous, it would have been better IMO if the seller had just claimed "I don't know anything about this razor" and let it stand on it's own..

LOL ok it looks as though the seller has added a BIN price of $399 since this thread started...