Blue Wonder - IS it real, Are they good?

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10-13-2013, 08:28 PM
Daekkon

6 Attachment(s)

Blue Wonder - IS it real, Are they good?

I'm looking at buying a blue wonder that some one got from an estate sale.

I was hoping some one could give me a little info on this guy, Age, quality, apparent condition. ect.

Attachment 143191 Attachment 143190 Attachment 143188 Attachment 143187 Attachment 143186 Attachment 143192

Any info would be much appreciated.
10-13-2013, 08:52 PM
RezDog

Well it looks to be in good condition. It is a vintage blade from a reputable area. If you buy it send it out for honing and shazzam you are ready to shave. It looks like no hone wear and original finish square point about 6/8. Nothing else I can add, but I'll bet someone more knowledgeable will be around.
10-13-2013, 09:52 PM
BobH

There is info here http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...ue-wonder.html . The one you have is vintage and like new from the photos. It has a blued tang and spine that does not look like it is even faded. I'd go further and guess that may even be the factory edge. To me it is a quality piece in prime condition only judging by a few photos though.

Bob
10-13-2013, 10:15 PM
Daekkon

Very cool, thanks for the info.

Ill give it a shot. i was going to grab a coticule and a golden dollar razor to practice with, although i have a lot of experience honing knifes, Ive never honed a straight razor before.
10-13-2013, 10:20 PM
gssixgun

They are exceptional shavers, and that is in near mint condition... PLEASE do not mess up that razor learning to hone that would be a Cardinal Sin :(
10-13-2013, 10:42 PM
BobH

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daekkon

Very cool, thanks for the info.

Ill give it a shot. i was going to grab a coticule and a golden dollar razor to practice with, although i have a lot of experience honing knifes, Ive never honed a straight razor before.

Please forget that you have a lot of experience honing knives, it is "not" the same as honing straights. Approach honing a straight as if you have never honed a knife and are learning a completely new art. There have been a few guys with knife honing experience join the site and have posted latter that honing a straight was more difficult than they anticipated with their prior knife hone expertise.

Step away from that Blue Diamond with hones until you have gained enough skill not to take a chance on damaging the beautiful razor. A vintage razor in that condition and of that quality is definitely not a practice honing razor candidate. By all means practice on a cheap razor or two and I don't mean a Gold Dollar. The Gold Dollar is on the sites avoid list for a reason.

Bob
10-14-2013, 01:21 AM
Martin103

2 Attachment(s)

Very nice looking in wonderful condition. The Blue Wonder trademark belongs to Ewald Plumacher of Solingen Germany. As far as dating your razor the earliest entry that i found was 1928, and also found an advertisement from 1950. Nevertheless enjoy this gem!
Attachment 143216
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10-14-2013, 01:26 AM
Lynn

I have honed a few of these over the years and every one was an outstanding shaver. As already stated, the one you pictured looks to be in great shape. Get it before someone else does........

:tu
10-15-2013, 07:41 AM
Oscroft

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobH

Please forget that you have a lot of experience honing knives, it is "not" the same as honing straights.

I started honing razors quite recently after years of honing knives and tools, and I agree in part with that - it is indeed not the same, but I don't think there's any need to forget it. I do think having the experience can be a help, as long as you know it's going to be different and are able to switch off your knife-honing muscle memory - for me the switch-off happens naturally anyway, because I'm just not holding the razor the same way.

From my experience, I already knew a fair bit about steel, bevels, angles, burrs, wire edges, stone progressions etc, and that definitely helped me - even if not that much in practice, it did mean I knew what everyone was talking about.

I actually found razor-honing in some ways easier than knife-honing, because you have the gift of the spine to get exactly the right angle, and my results so far have been very positive.

And in one case my knife-honing experience was more directly helpful, after I got a razor that had quite a big chip in the edge. I honed it out freehand with the spine off the stone, the way I do with knives, and then set a new bevel the usual razor way - that saved a fair bit of time over doing it flat on the spine or fannying around with tape. (I know it will also have changed the bevel angle a little, but just doing it once and then going back to normal spine-flat honing will only make a very small difference.)

Alan
10-15-2013, 11:38 AM
BobH

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oscroft

I started honing razors quite recently after years of honing knives and tools, and I agree in part with that - it is indeed not the same, but I don't think there's any need to forget it. I do think having the experience can be a help, as long as you know it's going to be different and are able to switch off your knife-honing muscle memory - for me the switch-off happens naturally anyway, because I'm just not holding the razor the same way.

From my experience, I already knew a fair bit about steel, bevels, angles, burrs, wire edges, stone progressions etc, and that definitely helped me - even if not that much in practice, it did mean I knew what everyone was talking about.

I actually found razor-honing in some ways easier than knife-honing, because you have the gift of the spine to get exactly the right angle, and my results so far have been very positive.

And in one case my knife-honing experience was more directly helpful, after I got a razor that had quite a big chip in the edge. I honed it out freehand with the spine off the stone, the way I do with knives, and then set a new bevel the usual razor way - that saved a fair bit of time over doing it flat on the spine or fannying around with tape. (I know it will also have changed the bevel angle a little, but just doing it once and then going back to normal spine-flat honing will only make a very small difference.)

Alan

I totally agree with what you said. The problem lies when people can't check at the door a certain assumption that having previous experience in a related skill brings. In other words, don't get too cocky it may hinder more than help.

Bob
10-15-2013, 12:40 PM
eod7

You are going to be dancing with the devil learning with that spike tip. Not that it would stop me from buying it.
10-15-2013, 05:35 PM
bongo

1 Attachment(s)

I love my Blue Wonder, would never get rid of it no matter what, and
the one you're thinking of buying is in far better condition than mine.
Don't let someone beat you to it !!
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10-16-2013, 02:55 PM
Daekkon

Didn't win unfortunately.

Some crazy jumped in at 30 seconds and jumped the bid up 100 over what it was running at, kind of wonder if it was the seller trying to get retail out of it.
10-16-2013, 03:37 PM
Martin103

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daekkon

Didn't win unfortunately.

Some crazy jumped in at 30 seconds and jumped the bid up 100 over what it was running at, kind of wonder if it was the seller trying to get retail out of it.

Well you stated the thread and made many people aware that they are actuallly great shavers, now they are looking and bidding.
10-16-2013, 03:41 PM
Phrank

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daekkon

Didn't win unfortunately.

Some crazy jumped in at 30 seconds and jumped the bid up 100 over what it was running at, kind of wonder if it was the seller trying to get retail out of it.

Most auctions go that way for razors...price stays the same, then within the last minute to 30 seconds, to 15 seconds, the pro's, or the snipers as I call them, jump in and bam, it jumps then it's over.

Was a hard lesson for me to learn, now if I want to win a razor, that's the way to play...

That's not even considering the bots that are out there.....
10-16-2013, 03:49 PM
BobH

You are looking at that crazy. I was looking on the bay yesterday and saw it on the first page that came up. I would not blame the seller.

Bob
10-16-2013, 04:13 PM
Phrank

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobH

You are looking at that crazy. I was looking on the bay yesterday and saw it on the first page that came up. I would not blame the seller.

Bob

Whoa...took me a couple of reads to understand your post....hahahaha....YOU got the razor!! You're that. "crazy"! :dropjaw:

Now that's classic!!!

I think that's going to be my award for, "Snappy Answer of the Month!"

Still laughing...thanks!

And congrats!!!
10-16-2013, 04:47 PM
Daekkon

Congratz, i figured people in the thread would find it. looks like you had a little competition up there on those last bids though.

Was simply to rich for my blood, as nice as it was there alot of other nice razors at that price so no love lost.

@ Phrank oh believe me i was sitting there ready to snipe it out at the last second, but i did have a limit on it. and its went way above that limit before i could even bid
10-16-2013, 04:49 PM
Martin103

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martin103

Well you stated the thread and made many people aware that they are actuallly great shavers, now they are looking and bidding.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobH

You are looking at that crazy. I was looking on the bay yesterday and saw it on the first page that came up. I would not blame the seller.

Bob

My point exactly! Congrats Bob!
10-16-2013, 04:53 PM
Phrank

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daekkon

Congratz, i figured people in the thread would find it. looks like you had a little competition up there on those last bids though.

Was simply to rich for my blood, as nice as it was there alot of other nice razors at that price so no love lost.

@ Phrank oh believe me i was sitting there ready to snipe it out at the last second, but i did have a limit on it. and its went way above that limit before i could even bid

Cool...I feel for you.

Couple of weeks ago I had my eye on a razor for like 6 days, just lurking, waiting to spring.

Had the bid all lined up, pulled the trigger with 20 seconds to go, and just got hosed! Multiple flashes of, "You're Outbid Again!", and then it was over.

I was pi$$ed off, and somewhat downtrodden as I really wanted that razor...but that's life in the Wild West of the Razor World!!!

Good luck next time...and always keep an eye on the Classifieds!!
10-16-2013, 04:56 PM
Daekkon

Again, not to butt hurt, its not like i lost by a dollar.

hehe but i did win this guy by a dollar the other day at a very good price

http://straightrazorpalace.com/aucti...er-photos.html
10-16-2013, 05:06 PM
BobH

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daekkon

Congratz, i figured people in the thread would find it. looks like you had a little competition up there on those last bids though.

Was simply to rich for my blood, as nice as it was there alot of other nice razors at that price so no love lost.

@ Phrank oh believe me i was sitting there ready to snipe it out at the last second, but i did have a limit on it. and its went way above that limit before i could even bid

Spot on, there are a lot of nice razors out there. Spot on too on setting what you your limit is and sticking to it. I placed only one bid and that was the max I would go in this case. I lost a nice Sheffie the other day when the shoe was on the other foot, and so it goes. If you are young you got lots of time to snipe if you are old like me it is get them when you can.

Bob