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

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

Originally Posted by silver4

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.
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.

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.

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...