Thread: Does it make sense to restore razors anymore?

Originally Posted by carazor

Judging by the prices on ebay and other sites, it seems it's far cheaper just to buy already restored razors. I guess you get to do it the way you want, but based on the unrestored W&B's that have sold recently you would lose money and time doing it yourself relative to just buying one already restored.

This issue comes up in the subject of restoring collectible automobiles and especially regarding the muscle cars of the '60s. The cost of properly restoring a muscle car can be considerable. The parts are hard to find, and the labor costs are almost prohibitive. Many who attempt to restore a muscle car go "upside down" financially attempting to restore it. It often is cheaper, and always easier, to purchase a restored muscle car. Often, the receipts showing what was spent on the restoration exceed by far the price the car sells for.

I think the situation with restoring razors is not comparable. While sending one off to a quality restorer can be expensive and can cost as much as $200 or more, doing it yourself, if you know what you are doing, can require little more than sanding and polishing the razor and making new scales for it. Larger Wade and Butchers seem to have their own market, thus the prices we see on Ebay for those that require restoration tend to be higher.

I've bought razors that didn't need restoring because they were in good nick for a fair price, I've had razors restored because I enjoy the craftsmanship of the restorers and I've bought blades specifically to clean up because I enjoy restoring my own and enjoy the end results.

I guess it depends on what you want from the hobby and from your blades. Do you want already restored blades, to restore your own or search out the ones in good original condition?

I can't think of anyone who does restoration as a major income producer. It's a hobby and pastime and something folks just love to do. If they make a few bucks out of it all well and good. Of course not all razors are a bear to restore. Some can be done relatively quickly so in the end it kind of washes out between the time spent and any money made. Also remember the folks who do this all the time know their business and have the proper tools.

I have one razor I've sent off for restoration to get it back to looking factory fresh. Is it going to cost me more than I could probably sell the razor for? Yep. Am I willing to do it? Yep. My two other razors I shave with were purchased shave ready from members here but looking like the hair of the dog. I don't mind and it gives them character.
The one I sent off will, to me, look better as a shiny gentleman than the scraggly character of my others.
That being said I have a few sitting around that I need to make scales for because I've just given them a quick polish and left the devils spit in because I don't mind too much.
And the razors cost me $10. So after my $3 bottle of metal polish and $20 for enough wood for 3-4 sets of scales, I'm ok with the time that will be spent on them.

I guess guys like Lynn, Max, and others who do wonders with razors are like good samaritans. They are adding a great product to the market place for not a lot of return on their part because it is their passion. For that I thank and admire you! This is probably true of many hobbies and arts. It is definitely true of guitars, wine, and cars. My original comment was based on me solely, assessing the money, time, and learning curve investment required to get a razor that I would want to keep from a distressed razor. For me, I'll stick to buying from guys who are true artisans and only do minor restoration jobs on razors as time permits.

Maybe I'm strange (ok, cancel the maybe but that might be unrelated) but I find little satisfaction in buying a restored item and a great deal in doing it myself.

I'm an IT tech these days. The only new machine in the house is my wife's notebook. Every other machine I have has been built from a combination of new, bought-used, donated-used and salvaged-from-land-fill-parts. It gives me enormous satisfaction to resurrect hardware that would have otherwise gone to scrap and put it to good use helping humanity, and no I don't mean keeping my kids entertained and off the streets. I'm very slowly gathering the gear to do the same thing with razors. Being able to turn something that was about to be forgotten as scrap into a useful and even artistic item provides an amazing sense of satisfaction that makes the cost of doing so almost irrelevant.

I restore razors for the same reason I restore other old tools. I enjoy doing it and what I learn about them while doing it helps me to to be a better user of that tool. I also just enjoy old tools and stuff.

Originally Posted by carazor

because it is their passion.

You hit the nail right on the head. That's definitely the case for me and I'm sure for many others. If I ever lose that passion it's time to find another hobby. Because once you lose it your work becomes sloppy. Your heart needs to be in the right place.

I thoroughly enjoy restoring and fixing old stuff, whether it be tools cars and, well now razors... I think it gives the item more meaning knowing that you have put the hard work and time into restoring it. And at the end you get to play with it.

I have just restored my second razor and it cost me no more then $15 for the razor plus materials.

Its not the sexiest looking restoration but its still mine! Seccond Restore Attempt - Please Identify This Razor!!!

And i have a few more in the mail the will need to be restored. Plus it also gives me an excuse to finally get a bench sander! hehe

Originally Posted by Maximilian

You hit the nail right on the head. That's definitely the case for me and I'm sure for many others. If I ever lose that passion it's time to find another hobby. Because once you lose it your work becomes sloppy. Your heart needs to be in the right place.

Ditto! Hit the nail on the head!