Loaner Razors, Anyone?

This is probably insane, but I have a problem. I have too many razors, and I can't make myself get rid of them. I just tried selling 4 on B/S/T and it worked, but it was painful. I'm not sure I am cut out to sell my razors.

On the other hand, I have way more than I can use. So, I had this idea.

Loaner razors.

Lot's of people might like to try out a straight without too much risk.
Or, some guys might like to have an extra around while they are learning to strop.
Some guys might even like one to "compare to" while they are learning to hone.
Or, maybe you just want to try out a different kind, wedge vs hollow, big fat 7/8 vs a 5/8, round point, etc.

Well, I have almost every kind, thin wedges, fat wedges, 4/8 hollows 7/8 hollows, round points, you name it. I also have Genco, Torrey, W&B, Bismark, Red Imp, Electric Cutler, and lots of others.

It would kinda work like this: I figure out what the razor is worth to me, and you pay that as a deposit.
You also pay shipping one way (as little as $2.60), and I send you the razor. When you are done, you send it back, I refund your deposit if you didn't damage the razor. Dull is OK. Chipped, broken, etc., are not.

Honest I am not trying to sell them, but I know how guys can fall in love with razors, and so, if you really want to keep one, I would be okay with that. Just let me know and I keep the deposit. It would also make my girlfriend happy to see the overall number go down. Once it is out of my sight, I could probably be convinced to part with it.

I would post the list in the Vendor's corner, since there is a good chance some of these will find permanent homes, and it would NOT be fair to the other vendors to advertise a lot in this forum.
At the same time, I'm not in it to make money and don't think I will, so I don't think I'm dangerous competition. I *won't* be restoring and polishing these razors up and selling them as product. I would rather get them back and loan them to someone else.

I would like to put a note here in the Newbies Corner periodically reminding people that this option exists.

At this point, I am looking for FEEDBACK on the idea.

Maybe it has been tried before?
Maybe it is unsafe? (you know, all those *used* razors....)
Maybe the whole thing is rediculous... I don't know.
Maybe you think it is a BAD idea????

All I know is, I am willing to hone up these razors for free and make them available to folks, as long as I don't have to take on a lot of risk.

Let me know what you think!

Paul

I think you maybe on to something here. Especially for some of the newer members that have not had the chance to experience the different types of razors out there.:tu

I think it would be pretty cool to try something new without being stuck with it if I don't like it. I only have 3 razors right now and they are all pretty much the same exact razor as far as type, size and even scale color. So yea I could really go for tryin something new. If SRP is cool with it anyway.

Paul,

I don't think it's a bad idea and is probably a good idea, but I also think that you should be prepared for the eventuality of not seeing the razor returned. Thus I think your idea of a deposit equaling your assessment of the razor's value + shipping costs to be a fine idea, but perhaps the deposit needs to be increased by an amount equal to the anticipated repairs/re-honing costs required by its use in a beginner's untrained hands.

:shrug:

witmen, where did you find that Mason's avatar? I'd like to use it too.

thanks, Bruce

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Originally Posted by Bruce

...perhaps the deposit needs to be increased by an amount equal to the anticipated repairs/re-honing costs required by its use in a beginner's untrained hands.

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Unless you enjoy repairing/honing as a passtime.

This has been discussed before and it never got off the ground. I don't think the anticipated problem was with people not returning the razor but more what if a razor was lost in transit or came back badly damaged and people started pointing fingers at each other.

The finger pointing is not something I am too worried about.

First of all, I tried several times over 20 years to learn to shave with a straight. SRP finally made it happen for me. I have no problem giving something back in return. I see the honing as me giving something back and helping newbies get started.

One possibility would be: even though the program is really a "loaner" program, in order to avoid some of the aforementioned stuff, I will structure each transaction as a PURCHASE. You bought the razor from me. Drop it, ding it, heat it, let it sit wet, sand it, boil it, hone it, whatever you want. It's your razor.

If you take care of it and send it back dull but in good condition, I'll refund your deposit.

We would be talking $20.00 razors here, mostly. Nothing really expensive.

I don't know...maybe the terms will change over time. I think it is worth a try.

Paul, absolutely - there is no way to know ahead of time if it will work or not. You'll probably have a couple of bad experiences and some good ones too. After a while you will see if the good feelings from helping out others outweigh those from the occasional bad experience and if they don't you can just stop doing it.


And while we're at it, I always wanted to try lancets and friodurs - got any?

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Originally Posted by toolarts

We would be talking $20.00 razors here, mostly. Nothing really expensive.

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...never mind :roflmao:roflmao:roflmao

I'd say it's a great idea as long as you are willing to do it; after all, that's all that really matters. Just make sure you are very clear in laying out the rules so that as much finger pointing as possible is avoided.

Well, Toolarts... I guess you have had a very nice idea. I suppose you can count me in as a possible candidate for the loaning of razors... Of course these are personal objects not to be used by too many people. I suppose there should be a sanitizing issue involved but it can, quite easily, be sorted out...

I, for one, would be interested to take part in such a thing because - as you say - you have a collection of razors that you don't want to sell and don't want to see it gather dust. Plus there are a lot of razors I would like to try out and are really hard to come by... for instance, the 1700 razors you have. I don't know if you are thinking of loaning those but, for me, it would be a obvious loan! Sorry if I was indiscret... :fim:

I say go for it, considering that you are very strict laying the groung rules for such a deal. And all of us being gentlemen I suppose you will not have a return issue in your hands. I would suggest that the time during wich you loan the razors is specified beforehand through negitiation... If I were you, that's what I'd do.

And there's another thing: what if the person you loan the razor to falls in love with it? Do you consider the option of selling? I guess you'd rest asured that your love one is going to be loved... but who loves the most?... :hmmm:

Great idea! Thanks for thinking of it! :tu

I think this is a great idea and I certainly would be interested in such an idea. Please keep everyone posted if you actually go through with this, I would love to try more variety and my wife is certainly getting annoyed with the amount of time and money I have been spending looking.

This is an excellent idea. It serves as a perfect opportunity for beginners considering straight shaving to give it a try without having to sink much money into it.

I would suggest that Buy/Sell/Trade include a section for "Rent." I would certainly be willing to "rent" out a few dozen razors to give people a chance to try them out

I think this is a great idea. I know I would personally like to try out a 7/8 or larger full wedge, but I just can't justify buying one (as they are usually quite expensive when in good condition) before I know if I will like it. I'm also just getting started into the world of straight shaving, so it is always nice to have a "neutral" piece to compare my stropping and honing against.


Count me among the interested :)

That is great idea but someone already said there is small issue.Please don't do it.Some one will get aids or something and sue You .You are clueless what happined as you can't prove or desprove.This is the reason straight razor has been banned to use in barbarshops.this is my 2 cents.I love the idea .

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Originally Posted by hi_bud_gl

That is great idea but someone already said there is small issue.Please don't do it.Some one will get aids or something and sue You .You are clueless what happined as you can't prove or desprove.This is the reason straight razor has been banned to use in barbarshops.this is my 2 cents.I love the idea .

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If that were an actual concern, then by your reasoning no one should be buying or selling any used razor. I use a hospital grade disinfectant on any razor I buy or sell. In addition, I usually don't get around to using a razor I have bought for at least a month. With this combination, I don't think I am in any peril of catching anything off of an old razor.

I would say the general rule of thumb should be to never trust anyone when they say the razor has been disinfected. You should always take responsibility to protect yourself. That being said, there is no difference between borrowing or buying a razor as far as safety is concerned

Sounds cool, but in order to keep the people that got it loaned to them "safe", they should have to ship with insurance, otherwise lost in transit razors don't get the refund. That way everyone is covered.

I love the idea!! But hi_bud has great point, to avoid the problem disinfect and be sure the recipient of the razor has their own obligation to disinfect it as well. You might want to run the idea by mhailey (splitter of hairs) and see what he says and try to avoid any oppurtunists looking to cover their @$$e$ or fatten their wallets. Great idea, hope it works.

The "being sued" thing does always worry me, with our litigious society.

But, hundreds of old razors are sold every month on Ebay, and thousands of new razors are sold, and the lawsuit thing just doesn't seem to happen, so I am not that worried about it.

Again, I am probably going to structure each "loan" as a purchase. Therefore, all liability is identical to what y'all go through selling a razor to each other.

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Originally Posted by toolarts

Again, I am probably going to structure each "loan" as a purchase. Therefore, all liability is identical to what y'all go through selling a razor to each other.

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Right, this is just like most purchases are done, and the only difference is that the buyer has the option to return it after a long period. Most of the regulars here would probably take back a razor if the buyer is not completely satisfied, short after the sale. Paul is willing to take a razor back anytime, as long as it is still useable.