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.

If you buy a collectible razor, keep it in pristine condition and add the factor of time to the equation, it is very difficult to lose money on it. The quick turn-arounds are where the losses are taken.

Personally I don't think it maters much either way. If you buy to use and invest then buy the ones you know are sort after, they will always retain their value IMO if you look after them. Obviously if the condition deteriorates and start to really show signs of their age then the value will drop.
I've bought and sold over 100 DE razors used some that were bought as NOS and just moved others on but if you buy right and know the market you should never lose money. Even the NOS that I've used and then sold I've never lost money on them as I've always tried to buy the ones that are in demand.
My advice would be to watch and learn, I kept notes on DE razors sold on eBay, through known commercial sites and also privately for about 3 months.
As with all things if you know your market you should be able to move most on at a profit or at the very least cover your outlay.
Another thing is a shave ready razor in the true sense of shave ready will in most cases command a higher price than one that needs work to get it to the point where the buyer can shave with it.
Reputation is another thing people tend to pay a little more from people they trust, again check this out on eBay with feedback, and yes I know this can always be manipulated but it gives a useful start point.

Well, I've bit the bullet and bought an unused razor in mint condition (needs a slight polish), but its a hard razor to find in good condition. Will send to get polished and shave ready, probably by GSsixguns... see pics below. Still not sure if I will use it or keep as-is...

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Its a gorgeous razors. Those scales seem to be highly sought after so I think it should hold its value quite well. Doesn't look like it needs much either, other than a rag and some metal polish.

Yeah, I thought it looked pretty nice, and to find unused, in perfect original condition (apart from the steel needing very light polish), I couldn't pass it up.

Now I just have to find a W&B ottoman :) Would look nice next to his one and my W&B anchor (the anchor is not in this condition, but gssixguns will make it look far better than the condition it is in now :) )

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Originally Posted by JSmith1983

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.

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I would agree with that for current production razors but I don't think it necessarily applies to collectible out of production ones. If you pick up a NOS Filarmonica and use it a couple of times you will lose some value but not the same percentage drop as with, say, a Dovo. I'm pretty sure that the OP will find that using his new razor will not detract from it's value - after all it's probably been used hundreds/thousands of times already - so the real concern is whether he paid over the odds for it, but that's a different question.


Edit - I just noticed that the W&B is described as unused - even so, I don't think that using it will significantly affect it's re-sale value.

I would suspect you'll never get rich buying & selling razors, if that is the question. Especially if you like them yourself. Brings to mind the old carny term, 'being "a sucker for your own game.' IOW, turn out to be your own best customer.

That is a lovely W&B. I have one too and it took me years to find one in that condition. The scales get cracked or the pearl broken and pieces missing from the liners. They are hard to find in that condition, so that one would hold value, depending on the price point you bought it at.

I've had razors that were so beautiful I couldn't bring myself to use them. Just kept them to admire them, a custodian as it were. Most are used for the purpose intended though. If you take care of them, no odd or excessive hone wear, damaged scales, or corrosion, and you buy them at a sensible price, they should hold their value.

Overpaying for a reaper, wonderedge, or one of the more obscure Fillys and you may have to wait a long time to find the 'right' buyer.

Yes, Its a shame the Mother of Pearl scales are so delicate. Thats why the W&B ottoman would be great, I would feel that I could use it daily almost. But unfortunately, if one ever came up for sale, I doubt I could afford it. Would probably go fo r10 times what I could afford.

What are Reapers? I am aware of the fillys and wonderedge.

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Originally Posted by AndrewJM

What are Reapers? I am aware of the fillys and wonderedge.

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An early dubl duck with 'Lifetime' on the scales and the tang, and oddly enough, a depiction of the 'grim reaper' on the wedge end. In the rare cases when one is found in pristine condition they bring obscene prices.

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Thanks, had never seen one of these before.

What do you mean by obscene prices? (what sort of price range?)

over a grand

This just might qualify for obscene pricing Dubl Duck Lifetime Grim Reaper RARE Fully Restored Shave Ready Razor | eBay .

There are cheaper ones that have sold but generally for the condition they are in the prices are high too.

Bob

Sorry that link didnt work for me. Do you have the item# ?

Actually no I don't have an item number. Just go to sold listings for straight razors and search under Grim Reaper.

Bob

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Originally Posted by RezDog

over a grand

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Im not sure how rare they are etc. but I figure, if one has the disposable income (or if one doesn't have a wife controlling the finances) , I don't see much difference in paying over 1k for a rare vintage in excellent condition vs spending the same on a Mastro Livi or other current custom builder. Im not sure what the W&B ottoman goes for, but personally I love that razor, and would spend as much on it, if not more, than a Mastro Livi, as I know how many Livis are around, and I feel its many more than the ottoman, yet both beautiful and desirable in their own way.

Please dont think Im putting down the Mastro Livi razors, Im not, I think his razors are a work of art and hope to one day commission one for myself, just using his name/work as an example comparing going prices for new vs old.

You are in part correct but you cannot get an Ottoman made anymore. They are a finite commodity, funny you should pick that one as an example, it is my unicorn as well. I have never even seen one for sale. However I still can't see me spending a g note on any razor at this point in my life.

I dont know what it is about the W&B ottoman, but Id drop a grand on one if one came up for sale. And I'm not saying this as someone with thousands of spare $ lying around... I considered spending a similar amount on a Mastro Livi, but decided in the end that I could get other razors for less that I would still be happy with. For me, if I were to go down the Livi route, Id need 10k or more, as I would want the entire experience, flying to Italy, meeting him, watching him work, flights, accommodation etc. I just don't have that kind of cash lying around :(

But, I don't have a wife, nor kids, my mortgage is under control and I want to enjoy life while I can, and don't have anyone to leave an inheritance to. So my circumstances are very different to others. My priorities are different. If I had kids, they of course would be the priority, would only spend big $ on razors after their childhood and study was paid for.

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Originally Posted by RezDog

You are in part correct but you cannot get an Ottoman made anymore. .

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You can get pretty close

http://straightrazorpalace.com/custo...sor-razor.html

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Originally Posted by AndrewJM

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

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How can this happen Andrew? :hmmm:
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,,,:shrug:

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 :angel:, and those will be the one's I collect, and shave with! :D

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Originally Posted by AndrewJM

Thanks, had never seen one of these before.

What do you mean by obscene prices? (what sort of price range?)

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I sold that one in the photo a couple of years ago for $200.00. Back then if a reaper was in fine condition it might bring $500.00. Now it is all over the ballpark. Depends on who is bidding that day.