shipping razors

The other day I received a razor in the mail from a member here @ SRP. I opened the package to find that a scale was broken, the package itself was not damaged and the razor had been wrapped quite well in newspaper. How it was broken in transit I have no idea. I immediately Pmd the member asking him if the scale was damaged when he sent it(being the bearer of bad news sucks:cry:)and no it wasnt damaged when he sent it. Thus the reason for this thread:

OK guys what I am asking for are your ideas on safely shipping a razor, I intend on shipping them sandwiched between two small slabs of wood such as a ripped 1x2 and then the usual newspaper/bubble wrap. What are your suggestions?

Well, from now on I’m shipping razors in titanium alloy cases and packaging made from Kevlar :p

Wild quess, temperature changes and tensions?
Maybe somebody sat over the package or loaded the old style tv on your package but in that case the package itself should be also suffered.
Have you seen any pictures before buying? :hmmm:
Your idea of wooden slabs sounds good.

You are not too far off in what I was thinking, the scale cracked at the end of the blade. I think someone sat something heavy on top of the razor, the blade supported the scale along the length of the blade, where the blade ended was not supported and could not bear the weight and cracked.

This is a good thread, sorry about your broken scales, though. I have yet to ship a razor, but I collect vintage fountain pens and they must be well wrapped to protect them in shipping. Most pen collectors use USPS Priority Mail and ship in the Priority Mail boxes provided by USPS. At the very least, the pen is wrapped in bubble wrap and floated in a layer of styrafoam peanuts or newspaper within the box. There are special plastic shipping tubes some collectors use, similar to the plastic boxes that Dovo uses. The truly paranoid of us use PVC tubing. A length of PVC tubing is about 6-8 feet long and costs about $2 at the hardware store. Use a hacksaw to cut off a length of PVC an inch or two longer than the pen (razor). Wrap the pen (razor) in bubble wrap and stuff it into the PVC tube. Tape the ends of the tube shut with tape and float it in styrafoam in the Priority Mail box. I write my name and address on the tube with a Sharpie in case the box gets destroyed so USPS can return the pen (razor) to me.

I hope this helps.

Dave

@ Tonsor, I like this it sounds almost nuke proof!

I've never shipped a straight but have sent out a few DEs. I"never used wood but I kinda do the same thing with cardboard. Line the envelope on both sides with stiff cardboard. Stuff "peanuts" or paper in the bottom thicker than the razor and keep stuffing all around untill the razor is sort of floating in the center and is not touching the sides.

I have shipped many razors. I wrap the blade in bubble wrap and then put it in a tight (important) fitting Jiffy bag. No problems to date. Touch wood.

I have received razors packed in a similar manner.

I have also received razors in a box also bubble wrapped within the box. This suspended animation approach cost at least five times as much as the Jiffy bag. But is probably bullet proof.

The middle of road is approach is a Jiffy bag plus insurance which is the best value for money.

So it all depends on how much you would be upset by a loss.

The bottom line is it all come down to money.

I get upset with the E bay sellers who charge the tops for boxing and post out rubbish razors that don't even deserve a jiffy bag.

One idea came into my mind. It's useful to take a break and walk the dogs out in the fresh air instead of staring the screen. :D
Take a newspaper and fold the decent amount of paper between the scales and close the blade. Be sure that the newspaper sit really tight inside the scales and there is absolutely no gap or free move of the blade otherwise it's worthless. This should prevent the scales bend inwards and break. Don't pack too much paper between the scales because it could bend the scales outwards and here we go again. :gaah:
Next step is to wrap the whole razor tightly to the newspaper or to the bubble wrap.

Final step is to take a newspaper or two and roll them tightly to the one tube shape where you put the razor package and close with the tape. One envelope and to the post office.

The main word is tight as mentioned several times not sloppy. The cost should be as cheap as possible. It's not the invasion proof but should take the first line easily. :gl:

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Originally Posted by English

The bottom line is it all come down to money.

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Its not just the money, If somebody ships me a razor to hone or anything else for that matter, I feel a degree of responsibility to that person, they have entrusted me. Even though it may be out of my hands at the moment and in no way a fault of mine it may still reflect on me in a negative manner, and that is something I wish to prevent, as well as somebody losing a razor. I have razors I have spent good money on and then there are the ebay specials, it doesnt matter the $ value, if its my razor its special and I doubt if Im the only one who feels that way, or we wouldnt be buying the things. Just trying to explain my position!

I too like the PVC pipe idea. Maybe not the most eco friendly, but I'm the kind of person that tries to reuse anything I can. I'd find a use for a small section of PVC pipe if I received a razor packed inside it.

Chris L

i have to agree the pvc sounds like the best way to go but i thinki would go a step further and wrap the razor in bubble wrap and put pvc caps on the tube just to remove any doubt

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Originally Posted by jszabo

i have to agree the pvc sounds like the best way to go but i thinki would go a step further and wrap the razor in bubble wrap and put pvc caps on the tube just to remove any doubt

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Definitely wrap the razor in bubble wrap before you push it into the tube. You don't want the razor bouncing around inside the tube. A friend of mine in Portland ships pens in PVC tubes with the caps, just pushed on without the glue. Taping the ends works just as well, though. Some folks glue a cap on one end and leave the other end cap a push fit. I don't like this as much because it can be hard to get the bubble-wrapped pen out of the tube. If both ends are open, you just push it out with your finger.

Dave

Not my idea, I have to thank KenRup for this one..........

Maybe not as inexpensive as the pvc pipe, but just wrap the razor in wax paper and insert in a plastic toothbrush holder / case, 59 cents at Wal-Mart. After that just use common sense in a small priority box or even in a padded envelope.

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Originally Posted by jszabo

i have to agree the pvc sounds like the best way to go but i thinki would go a step further and wrap the razor in bubble wrap and put pvc caps on the tube just to remove any doubt

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Yup, then it would be bullet proof. If I was a custom razor maker selling razors for hundreds and hundreds of dollars, I would want to ship my razors exactly as you've suggested here. That's only a few bucks in packaging materials cost but think of the protection. Just as long as the USPS wouldn't somehow X-ray the box and think there was some sort of explosive wrapped up in that piece of pipe rather than a wicked sharp razor.

Chris L

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Originally Posted by Chris L

...Just as long as the USPS wouldn't somehow X-ray the box and think there was some sort of explosive wrapped up in that piece of pipe rather than a wicked sharp razor.

Chris L

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That hasn't been a problem with pens so far. I even received a couple of pens from Thailand in Thai PVC.

Dave

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Originally Posted by Chris L

I too like the PVC pipe idea. Maybe not the most eco friendly, but I'm the kind of person that tries to reuse anything I can. I'd find a use for a small section of PVC pipe if I received a razor packed inside it.

Chris L

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I've never had to cut my own PVC tubes, I just re-use those that I have received. Of course, I save all that bubble wrap, boxes, and the styrofoam peanuts for when I ship something. Drives my wife crazy that I keep so much "junk" hanging around.

Dave

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Originally Posted by Tonsor

I've never had to cut my own PVC tubes, I just re-use those that I have received. Of course, I save all that bubble wrap, boxes, and the styrofoam peanuts for when I ship something. Drives my wife crazy that I keep so much "junk" hanging around.

Dave

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I do the same thing. I really like those plastic pillows of air; they seem to last a long time without deflating and they're great for filling up space in the boxes.

Chris L

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Originally Posted by T-Ram

Not my idea, I have to thank KenRup for this one..........

Maybe not as inexpensive as the pvc pipe, but just wrap the razor in wax paper and insert in a plastic toothbrush holder / case, 59 cents at Wal-Mart. After that just use common sense in a small priority box or even in a padded envelope.

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I have recieved a couple packaged like this, a great idea...

I just ordered a box of the cardboard tube mailers 2.5 x 7 inches to ship razors in, believe it or not they are cheaper than the bubble lined evelopes if you buy them in bulk....

Green problems with plumbing type pipe??:confused:

Get you some bamboo shoots. Might even work in the house for getting water from hither to thither.:bow

I ship my razors in the trusty toothbrush tubes from Wal-Mart. They work great.

The best bet is to forget the Jiffy bags. I don't care how many layers of bubbly one uses there is nothing to prevent thye package from folding or bending when something heavy is thrown on it.

I don't understand why when someone buys a $40 to $200 razor they need to ship via a $2.50 First Class jiffy pack rather than a $5 small Priority Box.

While cheap on the front end sounds nice it is all for nothing when a prized razor 9pen, etc..) arrives damaged in the end.

Tony

I like the PVC method and also have used it for both pens and razors but make sure you leave an air hole to help with moisture issues. i almost always ship in the priority mail boxes with bubble wrap and newspaper as padding and if the item is heavy like a hone, after wrapping it i will tape it into a corner of the box... saves a lot of hassle.

but of course wrapping the razor is tissue paper so that it snuggly fits into a coffin is for me a very good method and one i use more than any other.

I guess no one watched Lynn's DVD. Instead of going to PVC extremes, Sch 40 or 80, CPVC or what, How about a cheap, less than a buck, available in Target, Wal Mart, K-Mart and and the Dollar Stores, A cheap old Tooth Brush Holder. You know the round two piece job. It would be worth it knowing it's not going to break. Always use a nice size box, like 12x12.
Wrap it in Bubble wrap, then place it in the box in packing pnuts, popcorn is good, or lots of newspaper. I work for the Post Office. Stuff gets thrown around, literally, especially Priority Packages, They get thrown more than regular parcel post.

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Originally Posted by Kenrup

I ship my razors in the trusty toothbrush tubes from Wal-Mart. They work great.

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Sorry Ken, I didn't see your post. I concur......

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Originally Posted by zib

I guess no one watched Lynn's DVD.

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Lynn? Lynn who?:p

Its just a joke Lynn, please dont send the mods to my house!:fim:Not again!:eek: Please noooooooo!:cry:

I've lost count of the straights I've sent through the post and I have only ever had one scale broken - this was before I boxed all razors and the package looked like a buffalo had trampled it!

I normally wrap the razor in greaseproof paper just to guard against any excess oil round the pivot then, depending how big the razor is it gets wrapped it paper towel until it's a snug fit in the box. This does two things - stops any potentially damaging movement and also eliminates any rattles and noise - people get curious when boxes rattle! Then I bubble wrap it and then it goes in a sealed air bag. Yes it costs a little bit in time and money but since I have been doing it this way I have never had a problem and they have gone all over the World.

I agree with a statement above - if someone has paid me for the item I have a duty of care to ensure it gets to them in one piece.

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Originally Posted by jszabo

i have to agree the pvc sounds like the best way to go but i thinki would go a step further and wrap the razor in bubble wrap and put pvc caps on the tube just to remove any doubt

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And perhaps write some revolutionary slogans on the outside. :w
That'll remove all doubt for the good customs folks. :gth :roflmao


Perosnally, I put it in the razor coffin, wrap it in bubble wrap and put it in a padded envelope.
Really expensive stuff goes into a sturdy cardboard box in a sort of suspended animation.

The PVC idea sounds like a REALLY good way to ship razors. I've been shipping a lot of gun parts lately and I will vacum seal them to heavey cardboard or thin plywood before putting them in a flat rate envelope. I always make sure to put a card with the shipping address and return address inside the bag incase the box/envelope gets destroyed. not only does it protect the item from damage, it protects from moisture as well.

just my $.02

The tooth brush tubes can crush/bend as well. PVC is pretty much indestructible. At least the thick walled stuff (schedule 40?).

For the busted scale? I'm going with the temperature extremes. It's been really cold out lately. Going from near zero into a heated warehouse and back out into the cold a few times could have parted an existing stress fracture. What was the scale material? This would be more likely with celluloid/plastic than wood?

I don't knooooow! PCV pipe with cap ends. That might look a little strange in an x-ray machine, HuH?:gaah:


Richard

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Originally Posted by riooso

I don't knooooow! PCV pipe with cap ends. That might look a little strange in an x-ray machine, HuH?:gaah:


Richard

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Haven't had a problem with pens. As long as the tube has something recognizable like a pen or str8, I believe they just pass it on. Now if you line the tube with lead, load it with modelers' clay, or dust it with talc, I'll bet you're heading for trouble.:nono:

Dave

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Originally Posted by Tonsor

Haven't had a problem with pens. As long as the tube has something recognizable like a pen or str8, I believe they just pass it on. Now if you line the tube with lead, load it with modelers' clay, or dust it with talc, I'll bet you're heading for trouble.

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Right. PVC should be almost completely transparent when xrayed. and then I think the only reason it might get xrayed is because a sniffer picked up a wiff of the WD40 you wiped the blade with :).