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Would I be better off getting a "modern" make of razor or does it mater if it is a vintage piece?
I've been surfing around some of the venders here and see alot of beginer pieces. Some of the vintage pieces are the same price and look just as clean. At what point does a vintage piece become more of a collecter vs a user?
Ok... Double Duck Dwarf... thats to cool... can anyone tell me the value of a working piece? The name alone snagged me...
:tu DD's are sought after for their value as collectibles, but not the Dwarf of the Special No. 1 so much. Luckily, all are coveted as great shavers. Get one in good condition for a good price and you should be very happy with it. There are still a number of these around decades later, likely because barbers were buying them up in droves due to their high quality.
X
Whats a good price for a working model?
Depends on the condidtion, but you're doing well if you get one under $30.
X
Vintage razors can be excellent shavers and easy to hone since most of them used high carbon content steel, and you can usually buy them at reasonable prices. I suggest you look out for Pumas, DD, Henkels, ERN, Wade and Butcher, and, one of my favourites, Antoni Tadross. Make sure that the picture of the blade is clear. If the seller is reputable (like Invisible Edge - an excellent source of vintage razors on eBay), he will also tell you whether there are any issues with the scales (fouling) or the blade (nicks, rust, dents).
However, I dare say none of them will be shave-ready, so unless you are capable of honing it yourself, you should factor in the cost of having someone hone it for you (like Lynn here). Overall, for about 50 USD you could get yourself a nice little shaver that will last you a lifetime.
I have yet to get the strops for my kitchen knives but have a few fine waterstones. Honeing is my next step in sarpening and I'm looking forward to doing it all myself. I use high qiality carbon steel in the kitchen (AS japanese steel). So I think I'm ready to start, when I get the strops...
So far name is all I have to go by, if I like the name I'll give it a shot. At the moment I am after a DD Dwarf because of the name. Heck where else am I going to start :P I'd love to find one soon, but none of the links I've tried from this site has one...
I have to disagree with X on this one. All DDs are collectables and if they are in good shape command a high price. Heck, you can't get a styleedge for less than $70.00 and they were designed for trimming. yes you can get a dwarf for $30.00 but it will be in rough shape. If you want one in good shape on Eboy expect to pay at least $60 for one unless you luck out and someone posts one with terrible fotos.
Do yourself a favor and get a razor from one of the guys here which will be shave ready. Once you learn more about razors then you can venture into the world of collectable razors.
I've been watching for one that strikes my fancy. I just saw a DD Dwarf on Ebite go for $60+ that had a crack in it. So I'm expecting to shell out a few more bucks for a good one, some day :P
Well if the name grabbed you there's also the Thiers-Issard "Super Gnome", which has the advantage of still being in production. Classic Shaving has them for $70, and for a few bucks more they will send it to Lynn for honing so it'll arrive at your doorstep ready to go. TI's are great shavers - there's a reason they were one of the few companies to survive the safety razor wave.Quote:
Originally Posted by DwarvenChef
Saw a few around, They are worthwile ? Anyone care to comment on the "Newbee-ness" of this blade?
Even though gnomes tend to be pesky little critters :P
My first razor was a DD Special, very similar to the Dwarf and I still love it, so I'd say very good for n00bs and experienced alike. Get one that hasn't seen too much wear if you can and that'll make your stropping and honing an easier learning curve.
X
Been looking for sets and such to gather the gear. I've emailed a custom knife maker that makes kitchen knives I'm after, who also made straights before, to see what he can do. Be interesting...