Value??

Before you send me to the TOS, I know. I have several razors that I have purchased and traded for. I'm wanting to know if there is a place to get value info. I have looked in the BST, completed auctions and vendors. There is such a wide range of prices on what appear to me to be close to the same razors. W&B are good examples, one sells for $40 and another $400. I have an idea of some things I like in a razor and things I dont.I would like to "refreh" my collection. I dont want to get taken on a trade or offer a razor that isnt worth anything. Can anyone help me out, off the board? Thanks

Standard Guide to Razors: Identification and Values by Roy Richie, is a fantastic book with a great section on valuing razors. The book contains an address for an appraisal service, but I have never used it, I find the extensive guide to valuation to be pretty accurate.

However, it's important to remember, with addicted collectors value is directly related to desire. I would happily pay 10 times reasonable value for the missing razor to my 7 day set. Others will pay handsome for razors by their favourite manufacturers. Valuations really only apply for insurance purposes.

We all go by the completed listings in the classifieds and ebay completed listings AFAIK. Beyond what is happening in the marketplace at a given time what else can we do ? Anytime you want my opinion send a PM with a picture of the razor and a description. I'll give you my personal take, but I'm just like most on here, going by what I paid, what I see others pay.

AFAIC the RItchie book , the Robert A Doyle books, while they are interesting reads, the prices in them are dated. Be it knife, gun or razor books, I've never seen any that had prices for collectibles that accurately reflected the marketplace at a given time. From Dewey Ferguson's Romance Of Collecting Case Knives, Parker's Collector's guide for pocket knives, the blue book of gun values ...... all not accurate in real world terms IME .......... YMMV

I think razors are a classic example of, its worth what you or someone else is willing to pay for it.

As you noted wade and butcher's go for silly money but I managed to snag one for £20 this week and it arrived today. Nice razor, bit of hone wear (uneven) and the most expensive one I've bought off eBay so far. It needs some work before it shaves but my initial thoughts are that, for sure its well made but in all honesty every single vintage razor I've bought so far has been well made.

Would I be happy if I had payed £150 for it, no I wouldn't. Am I happy with it for £20, I sure am. I have a reasonable W&B for my collection at a price I'm happy with but I won't be rushing to buy another especially at the prices they seem to go for.

What I am trying to get at really is there are loads of great razors on eBay at very low prices (if you don't mind doing a bit of work on them). If you are buying them to use, take your time and find ones that suit your likings (price, condition, style etc) and pay what you are happy with paying and that's what its worth :D

I've seen kropp razors in great condition sell for £30-40 but I have also seen them go for £5 in the same condition! Are they worth £5 or are they worth £40 ?


Ultimately if your buying to use for yourself IMO you can only rip yourself off by paying more for a razor than you are happy paying.

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Originally Posted by mike1011

Ultimately if your buying to use for yourself IMO you can only rip yourself off by paying more for a razor than you are happy paying.

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Great advice!

Forgot to mention that the reason I look for the cheep ones that need work is because its the only way I can afford to try lots of different razors. With a 17 month old daughter my razor buying funds are not that high :)

Still on the lookout for a Boker king cutter 6/8 to go with my new production king cutter. That's the only vintage that I really really want, and a double duck (they are like hens teeth in the UK). The search continues :D