Thread: $500 to buy a razor, what would you buy

At that price point you are well above and beyond what is needed for a stellar shaver. There are tons of vintage razors of superb quality to be had for much less. So, with that kind of cash we are talking desirable design, collectability, exotic scale-materials and other factors. My choice for such a razor would have to be a Filarmonica Especial para barbas duras. Or if rarity plays a part, a C-mon Filarmonica in 8/8. That is if you can find one besides mine

Personally, I wouldn't hunt down any particular razor, but instead keep an eye on ebay and the classifieds here, until you find something you really like and that is good value for what you get. ie. I ended up buying a couple of 7 day sets... wasn't actively searching for them, but stumbled upon them and acquired for what I thought to be a very fair price. You'll probably find like I did, that you bid on plenty up to the limit of how you value the item, loose a lot of auctions but be very happy with the ones you win.

ie. A W&B anchor sold recently on ebay between 200-250. Add some $ to have restored with scales/wedge to your liking, and you have a relatively rare, brand name razor tailored to your liking. I did the same with a slightly larger anchor not too long ago, gssixguns is restoring for me and building lignum vitae scales and brass wedge, will be a stellar razor for around or under the price you mentioned.

Alternatively, the custom route would be great, but you need to know what you want. I would imagine that if a custom was what you were after, you wouldnt be posting this question.

Finally, there's always the Robert Williams SRP limited edition. If there are any left, that would be a viable option. With the input of so many experienced and knowledgeable members, and Robert building them, I imagine it would be hard to go wrong.

Originally Posted by gugi

Something like this Heljestrand, C V "MK No 32" 6/8 - Straight Razor Place Library
but $500 may only be able to fit the ivory version.

Thank's Glen for that early morning bit of razor porn. That is a beauty for sure.

Hmm hard to say, perhaps a big Dorko? that's if one could even be had for $500 going by the stupid prices they command on eBay...

One thing seems certain, if you kept your eyes peeled you could get a few nice razors for five-hundred bones.

Originally Posted by gugi

Something like this Heljestrand, C V "MK No 32" 6/8 - Straight Razor Place Library
but $500 may only be able to fit the ivory version.

The reason is that they are consistently great, so no gambling if you get a 'good one', the aesthetics is neither plain and boring, nor gaudy over the top, the quality is superb and you won't find it in current manufacturers unless you want to go custom at the top guys in a completely different price point. Filarmonicas may shave similarly well, but in comparison they are a pedestrian everyday razor vs. high-quality luxury. And it's my perfect size, I much prefer it to any of its bigger and smaller versions.

I wasn't bashing Heljestrand razors, not at all. I love mine and I enjoy using them very much, as well as appreciate their subtle elegance, so I'm not planning on getting rid of them. I just don't deem them that valuable - in monetary terms.

For $500.00, would pull the trigger in a second on another pre-1900 Wade and Butcher, 9/8, Celebrated, Hollow Ground, For Barbers Use, spike point/square tip blade, (the spike points seems so rare and hard to come by), in virtually perfect shape, no pitting or excessive hone wear, etchings in great shape, would love to find another of those.

Now, I have no idea how much, or even if you could get one, but I'd take one of these if I stumbled across one:

For the man that doesn't yet have one, the SRP Limited Edition by Robert Williams @ $350, which leaves the balance to pick up one real nice, or two , vintage straights. I'd probably get a Glock G-29 10mm though.

I would buy a Vintage NOS DORKO roundpoint, one of the big boys and maybe have some leftover for some new shave soap or strop or something.

I'm loving my Mastro Livi New Grind at about that price. With enough left over to drop an order for a couple huge jars of MdC.