Thread: What gives... Böker

I was doing some window shopping and started drooling over some of the Böker razors but being "thrifty" I decided to have a look at used or vintage. I was surprised how inexpensive they are. What am I missing? Are vintage Böker razors poor quality? They look like nice craftsmanship.

Oddly enough the vintage razors more often are better crafted than many of the modern razors. With razors it is condition condition condition, but even the ones that are in crazy fantastic condition can often be had for less than the price of a new one. It definitely pays to look around. Whatever you decide upon make sure it is shave ready.

I picked up a Boker keen shaver on the bay last year for $12.00 shipping included.5/8 in good condition. Some minor cleanup, replaced the scales, honed and it shaves like a dream. Bargains are out there if you have patients. Good luck.

Bokers are great razors, especially the vintage ones. You can't get much better.

In the Boker line all I have are vintage ones and they are amongst my favourite razors.

Bob

Originally Posted by Clayglen

I was doing some window shopping and started drooling over some of the Böker razors but being "thrifty" I decided to have a look at used or vintage. I was surprised how inexpensive they are. What am I missing? Are vintage Böker razors poor quality? They look like nice craftsmanship.

Böker is one of those ubiquitous razor brands. Like for instance ERN, Puma and Henckels, they were (and still are) among the biggest razor manufacturers. They made razors by the boat load.

When you buy a new Böker, you pay for wages, facilities, warranty and manufacturing costs; when you buy a vintage one, you pretty much just pay for the item.

Originally Posted by RezDog

Oddly enough the vintage razors more often are better crafted than many of the modern razors.

If you are comparing old Bökers to new Bökers, I just don't know as I have never handled new Bökers. Old Bökers in general are well made, although it's hard to say anything definite about all vintage Bökers, as there were many hands involved over many years.

There are definitely modern razors that do not compare favourably to older ones. Erbe, Gold Dachs and NTS come to mind. Even though I have never handled any, judging from pictures from vendors the grinding looks shoddy on a lot of them, mainly around the shoulder area.

Then again, if you look at a new Revisor or Ralf Aust, the craftsmanship will most likely compare favourably to a vintage Böker.

Ah, I think why they are inexpensive is due to rarity. Not too rare, not too expensive. Perfect!
Thanks Gents.

Originally Posted by Clayglen

Ah, I think why they are inexpensive is due to rarity. Not too rare, not too expensive. Perfect!
Thanks Gents.

Not that simple I am afraid. Compare like for like. A new razor is as it came from the maker. If you can find a vintage NOS Boker you as liable to have to pay close to or more than a current production Boker. Like most things in the used market condition is everything.

If you don't care about having a NOS vintage SR then enough of virtually any major brand has been made that any flaws rapidly decrease their value. If you want just a shaver then you had better know what flaws are major and just not cosmetic.

Bob

Originally Posted by BobH

Not that simple I am afraid. Compare like for like. A new razor is as it came from the maker. If you can find a vintage NOS Boker you as liable to have to pay close to or more than a current production Boker. Like most things in the used market condition is everything.

If you don't care about having a NOS vintage SR then enough of virtually any major brand has been made that any flaws rapidly decrease their value. If you want just a shaver then you had better know what flaws are major and just not cosmetic.

Bob

Some good points there, Bob. In my humble opinion, this old post by Cedrick Smythe should be a mandatory read for all who look to buy vintage razors: The "Good" Razors To Avoid

Love me a good Boker. Never came across one that hasn't shaved well. I live in a German area and have found that there's many Bokers in the area. It seems like every time I visit an antique store I always find one. Most aren't in any shape to buy but they're still there