Thread: Collectability - Unused vs excellent condition

I'm considering buying a couple of the harder to find razors, if/when they come up for sale and if I can find for a fair price. I have seen razors that are NOS / unused, but I fear that if I bought any, I wouldn't be able to use them or the value/collectability would drop dramatically (even if I cared for them very well).

What does everyone think about this? Ideally I'd like to be able to shave with and enjoy any razors I buy, and would do so if it only dropped the value slightly... or does using an un-used razor drop the value significantly for the rarer models?

Also, with a NOS razor, is it OK to have it professionally cleaned/polished, or should it be left exactly as-is?

Would appreciate everyones thoughts on this.

Cheers. Andrew

If you're buying the razors to use them, the drop in value makes no difference - the only important thing is how much are you willing to pay for that razor in that condition.

Now if you are planning on reselling that's a whole different story, and the way you should look at it is 'can I sell this razor for more money than I can buy it for'.

So, there is a significant drop in value if an unused razor is used carefully?

The drop in value between "new and unused" and "carefully used" is difficult to quantify because it can vary depending on a number of factors, but it undeniably occurs. As Gugi said, you need to determine if your intent is to be a user or a collector/speculator.

I wouldn't be buying with an expectation of turning over at a profit (but a profit would certainly be welcome if I do part with them), but at the same time, if I find I need the $ , or come to my senses and realise I do not need x number of razors, I'd like to hopefully sell at or near the price I paid factoring in inflation... ie not buy a NOS for $500, use it a couple of times, find that I'm not a fan of shaving with it, and resell for 200-300.

I think razors are like cars, once you drive them off the lot they lose value, but certain models hold there value better than others. There are even some that will gain value the older they get and the better they are cared for or modified. Like anything on the market prices change constantly. Look at the prices of some razors that months ago were selling for half of what they are now. I say if you don't want to collect get a razor that you are going to be willing to use.

Originally Posted by AndrewJM

So, there is a significant drop in value if an unused razor is used carefully?

How can this happen Andrew?
How can a "unused razor" be used carefully??

Just use the razor,,, then lie & say you never used it when you decide to sell it,,,

Or a version of 'I didn't inhale.' I used it but I shaved with the spine.

I have a very definitive list of the razors I want. It's been adjusted and added to, the two Filly's I got were an add-on, but worth it.

All the blades, with few exceptions, are one's that I've planned on getting. There's two outstanding for me right now that I'm hunting for - Dennis knows one of them.

Now, the only blades I will go for are W&B, 9/8, Celebrated, FBU, spike points/square tips or similar choppers, no round tips or notches. For me, if in five years, I end up with any number of those, I'll be a happy camper, I love everything about those blades, and as far as I'm concerned, they complete me , and those will be the one's I collect, and shave with!