Hypothetically speaking $500 falls in your lap and you can buy 1 Str8, would you buy a custom, restore, vintage?? Pictures/Details welcomed!! :)
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Hypothetically speaking $500 falls in your lap and you can buy 1 Str8, would you buy a custom, restore, vintage?? Pictures/Details welcomed!! :)
The customs that I would want, cost a bit more than $500.00,,,so a custom is off the table. I would surf the sites of the members here who are vendors and look for NOS vintage razors; you could probably get 3 nice ones for that money.
A couple NOS Dubl Duck Goldedges would be me. As an alternative I'd find me a professionally restored Wade and Butcher Meat Chopper and a uber sweet Swedish Frameback. Call me crazy but I just don't think I could justify spending $500 on a single razor.
For just one razor, a Fili 14 or Heljestrand MK 33 in near NOS condition would be my vote
Boom and boom. Perhaps and nicely restored big Sheffield.Quote:
Originally Posted by silver4
For a custom, there are some up and comers/newer/lesser known makers who will take real good care of you for $500.
As Hirlau mentioned, most of the well known, established makers would come in above that.
There's loads of nice vintage razors around for that kind of money if you keep your eyes open, I could have purchased a NOS Henckels 17 Firodur 8/8 last week for less money a magnificent looking razor, I've also seen a few NOS Filarmonicas Novodur para professional and a EPBD selling for less money in the last few weeks, I would say their value will increase substantially over a custom razor in the next few years a better investment in my opinion and you are having the joy of using them.
I think I'd go for a Filarmonica or a vintage Thiers Issard. Both are incredible all round razors.
I would buy a very nice $100-150 max. vintage (Solingen or Japanese) and then have $300-250 left for something I would actually need.
Or maybe, MAYBE, I'd splash $250 for an actually rare razor. That is, if I could find one, because rare razors are hard to find. Filarmónicas and Heljestrands are not.
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.
Being tighter than skin on a weiner, find a nice $50 razor and pocket the rest.
Bob
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.
Thank's Glen for that early morning bit of razor porn. That is a beauty for sure.Quote:
Originally Posted by gugi
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.
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by gugi
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:
Attachment 161786
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. :beer2:
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.
I'd buy this if it was still for sale...
http://i1274.photobucket.com/albums/...psa6fa3a3f.jpg
I love Pierre's work on knives and razors!
Chris
Tim Zowada had some of his "Carbon Razors" at SRDQuote:
Originally Posted by Triad
I'd buy a nice razor. Something old but refinished/restored by one of the guys on this forum. $150-$200 range. Already have a good razor, just want a backup. Then, a nice silvertip brush, $100 max. A bottle of TOBS Mr. Taylor cologne, and pocket the change left.
A Clauss USMC Spanish-American war edition. Semper Fi.
The very finest Japanese made western style full hollow i could find.
NOS Filarmonica 14
500 gold dollars
You guys think a Dorko commands high prices? I just sold a mint 7/8s Dorko on Eboy and as I recall I got around $140 or so for it.
For $500 you could get a basic Williams or a top of the line vintage Puma and have money to spare.
I'd save a bit more and get a Charlie Lewis fixed blade with a nice smile. :)
Great Suggestions i enjoying reading them, i was lucky enough to just get in on the SRP Limited Edition by Robert Williams today. Keep em coming RAD dies hard!!
I would guess that $500 would make a nice down payment on that one...Quote:
Originally Posted by Phrank
You will not be disappointed in your choice. SRP LE#81 is one of my favorite razors and the only new razor I own. The smile is perfectly suited to a light touch and gives a great shave.
Cheers.
I still want one of those 10/8's. I think It's Joesph Elliot that made them, but don't quite remember. Jimmy has one IIRC.
Filarmonica is obvious choice.
I can't believe no one has mentioned Japanese straights.
I believe LZ6 did.Quote:
Originally Posted by mainaman
As for me, if I had the extra 500$ I would finish my grinding set up and make my own.
Great, they are such fine blades.Quote:
Originally Posted by nun2sharp
Joseph Elliot, Joseph Rodgers, and Wostenholm are the ones that come to mind for me that I have seen. I have a 19/16 Wosty, but not quite there. None of them $500 blades IMO though.Quote:
Originally Posted by holli4pirating
For $500 you could shave with a proglide for a year!
I would have no idea what to buy. $500 on a razor..... I'd have no balls left.
Agreed, you'd almost expect it to be escorted by a host of cherubs.Quote:
Originally Posted by Splashone
There are not many on my must have list. I would like a custom from Pierre and a Henckels 14. I can't think of anything else attainable for $500.
