Thread: What's with e-bay buyers?

Lately I am surprised what people bid on when it comes to razors.

Here is a gem, in excellent condition

Looks like the blade tip was ground down. Doesn't it look a bit short?

Here is what it will look like when you close it: I took the image into photoshop, cut out the blade and rotated on the pivot pin.

I've never seen a razor looking like this. Am I missing something or is it ground down?

This one is a shocker for any razor lover: DD Goldenedge

I'd buy it for $10 just as a serious restoration challenge, but most likely would not be able to do much with it. It is already at $8.50 with five days to go.

I have stayed away from e-bay as a buyer for the last two months and prices have really gone up. Anything in descent condition is double what it was just a few months ago.

Frenzies like these come is waves. It'll pass in time.

I bought one sorta like that. It was a real cheapie, but in good condition. I really couldn't tell it was short until I got it. When I did, it appeared to have actually been made that way, with almost no hone wear. The handles (bone) were quite a bit longer than the blade, though, and looked funny. I took it apart, cleaned it up, and shortened the handles to look like they "belonged" on the razor, which I cleaned up, too. I now have a really nice 6/8 travel razor, similar to a Torrey I had to make handles for (it actually was a small travel razor), with a 2 1/2" blade, that shaves superbly. Not bad for a $10 investment (including shipping )

Vlad...if you look at it, though, it appears to be fully intact. The blade etch looks right. There's usually about a 1/8" or 1/16" border around the etch, and unless I'm looking at the picture wrong, that "border" is there. It may just be so wide it appears short.

Thanks joe. Maybe I'm too paranoid with these e-bay sellers and descriptions.

I've picked up 3 now for a total of $12 (not counting shipping). Two W&B choppers and a Wostenholm.

I figure these 3 will be good projects to learn with, and even if I can only get one cleaned up and shave ready it will have been worth it.

I have a 5/8 Wade & Butcher that is like what Joe is describing. It has long scales on it, and that makes the blade look like it's been shortened. It hasn't. The blade is regular size, but the scales are just really long.

I'm planning to change the scales, or at least shorten them so that it looks like it's in correct proportion.

I hear you about the paranoia thing though, Vlad.

Anything in descent condition is double what it was just a few months ago.

Yeah! And you know whos fault it is?

It's those damn guys who keep showing everyone how to fix 'em...

I am looking for a Goldenedge in salvageable or good condition to restore but getting sticker shock. I picked up a Wonderedge in good condition for $45 in Feb. Now a good not great Goldenedge is going for $102 with five days left. A rusted out junker has 2 bids at $9 with five days left. Ouch!

I want to get my hands on another meatchopper for restoration but there aren't any in sight. I guess its my fault. After my auction they all went for some more spit and polish.

I'll have to go trawling in the local antique shops in search of affordable razors.

Originally Posted by vladsch

I want to get my hands on another meatchopper for restoration but there aren't any in sight. I guess its my fault. After my auction they all went for some more spit and polish.

I can let you mine to practice on for some time, but I'll need it back

Nenad

Interesting proposition Nenad. How quickly would you want it back?

Keep in mind that Canada Post has sometimes taken months even years to deliver a package across the pond.

I must warn you though, Bill has recommended, and I have agreed, that I must etch my restoration logo into all my work (at least the good stuff) so that it is clear that the blade is restored by me and not NOS or mint. This is to make sure that my work does not get peddled to unsuspecting collectors, especially on e-bay.

This is the logo I will use for my retoration work:


So if I did restore yours it would look like this when I was done:


It is already etched into the Wonderedge blade.

Think it's overkill? Here is a true story. When the W&B auction hit above $200, I got a request from a guy wanting to have his identical meatchopper restored to the same condition, scales and box. Said he loved the work of the restorer and wanted his name and contact information. I told him it is myself and asked him to send me some photos for the estimate.

I was suspicious because he spun a story about it being his favourite shaver but I could not see any shaving edge on the razor in the photos he sent.

I gave him a quote and told him about the restoration authenticity mark. Even sent him the same picture as above. Never heard from him again. Not even a courtesy, thank you but it is more than I thought.

So this is a good way to ward them off. Except next time I might tell them about the mark, after I receive their razor and confirm that my original estimate is fine and I need their ok to start restoring it. If they start spinning stories why they now don't want it restored, I'll know why they wanted it restored in the first place.