Thread: Razors made for another vendor.

If you are looking to collect as an investment the nameplate means nothing. It's all about the person who used it like someone famous or historically noteworthy. Maybe if the razor is of archaeological significance too.

Otherwise the market is too fickle. If you bought a Puma in mint condition in an unusual size you might have paid a mint for it 15 years ago and it would have gone down in value now.

For common razors" made for razors" have no relation to value.

Shaving wise it doesn't make a difference for me, but if it has TAOS I would pay more to have it not on there. Tha

Only if it is customized as a bespoke, e.g. made for Tiffany and then they engraved it for me.
Or if it's a special edition for the vendor beyond stamping the vendor's brand or a superficial logo, e.g. it is of higher quality/better finish, made by the most skilled workers rather than the newest apprentice...
Or if the vendor gives them away as swag...

There were a few noted vendors that had razors made for them that are recognized as top shelf, although the original maker has not been noted, and those blades often sell for the same prices as know makers also top shelf razors. There are a few that had very high quality blades made for them that get little recognition as being special and don't sell as top shelf blades. SR Droescher comes to mind. So it looks like a clear case of sometimes but maybe not to me. I have never hung onto a razor because of what was etched on it for vendor. I have a few that are a little unique in that not many are around like them and they shave well so I am unlikely to pass them along. The money involved in my hobby is not really relevant to why I do it though so I may not be as tuned in as some others.

It seems there is some confusion.

We are talking about razors with clear manufacturing stamp and additional markings for the vendor.

For example, these would include Dovos and TIs for Art of Shaving, TI for various vendors who ask for it, Hart for Baxter; from the vintage stuff Cadman&Sons for various Australian outfits, Berg, Engstrom and other Swedish manufacturers for various vendors.

Dubl Ducks, Droeschers, P J Michels, various 'hardware stores' on the stamp, Drew&Sons, Dunhill, etc. wouldn't qualify because they were commissioned by one or more manufacturers which are not stamped on the razor and the same razors are generally not well known to exist as a model of the manufacturer.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Otherwise the market is too fickle. If you bought a Puma in mint condition in an unusual size you might have paid a mint for it 15 years ago and it would have gone down in value now.

There is too much distortion through hype. With Puma, for example, when one forum owner proclaimed the 6/8 puma gold as one of the best 3 razors ever made they became highly desirable and since the supply of them is limited their prices doubled and tripled. Looking at ebay they don't seem to change hands much anymore, but they're still a great razor. I personally prefer the 1938 for the more interesting point even though the gold is more refined design and has thinner grind.

The standard 8/8 W&Bs are also overhyped in my opinion, but there's plenty of them, so the steady supply allows new guys to keep chasing them and eventually get one, and when they post it as an accomplishment the next new guys start looking for theirs and so on. If they dry up in few years the hype will probably subside like it did with the puma golds.

Now, a 8/8 puma is to me far better proposition than a 8/8 w&b. It's much better craftsmanship, far more rarer (may be more than a reaper) and to me a better shaver. However, I find 8/8 a bit too big, so I'm happy to have only a few examples of the size just as a variety and can be very picky about them.

Originally Posted by gugi

It seems there is some confusion.

We are talking about razors with clear manufacturing stamp and additional markings for the vendor.

Indeed, it seems at least I missed that. Additional stamps do not diminish attractiveness or collectability for me. You could even think that additional stamps only increase collectability, if anything, as it is additional information AND aesthetics. Similar to etchings, inscriptions, or a 'For Gentleman's Use' VS 'For Barber's Use'.

Originally Posted by gugi

There is too much distortion through hype. With Puma, for example [...] The standard 8/8 W&Bs are also overhyped in my opinion, but there's plenty of them, so the steady supply allows new guys to keep chasing them and eventually get one, and when they post it as an accomplishment the next new guys start looking for theirs and so on. If they dry up in few years the hype will probably subside like it did with the puma golds.

Now, a 8/8 puma is to me far better proposition than a 8/8 w&b. It's much better craftsmanship, far more rarer (may be more than a reaper) and to me a better shaver. However, I find 8/8 a bit too big, so I'm happy to have only a few examples of the size just as a variety and can be very picky about them.

Even though slightly off-topic, I completely agree, accept that I wouldn't consider Puma's very collectable, as they are quite common (maybe not the Golds, although I've seen quite a bunch of them here and there as well). Same goes for Dorkos, Dubl Ducks and Friodurs, with large amounts popping up on ebay on a regular basis. I don't wonder at prices anymore, but still don't get it why people pay top dollar for relatively common items. I understand it ('I want it, but so does everyone else'), but I don't get it. Different perspectives and priorities, I guess. Which is okay.

It's never about investment for me, everything I buy I intend to keep and let my executors liquidate what I don't give away or bequeath. There may be room for trading or gifting but nothing else.
The reason I asked is because when I see a well know brand with additional info for another vendor it drops in appeal for me. I know it's a personal preference issue, and for me not monetary, I just wanted to know how everyone else felt.