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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
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by Clayglen
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.
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by RezDog
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.
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by Clayglen
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 AvoidQuote:
Originally Posted by BobH
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
Great read that link was, thanks Pithor.Quote:
Originally Posted by Pithor
Re Bokers, my first straight was a vintage Boker, I have added three more to the roster, and enjoy the shave, and honing of all four very much. Susceptible to rust and quite often found neglected in the wild, but IMO worth having in the line up.
I'm hoping for a new edition Boker from Santa to compare the standards.
Cheers.
Bokers are truly nice razors. I hear vintage is best and I hear that in all brands to be a fact of matter. I do find it hard to believe craftsmanship has gone out the window for the most part...............unless you buy a $5 Ebay straight "no-name" of course.
If it is German it for the most part is usually a decent razor. There are exceptions I am sure. But all in all, can't go wrong with a big name German like a Boker; Revisor; Dovo; Schultze; or other I am most sure.
But then again...........
When I first started shaving with straight razors, I never wanted a Boker. Now I have more Boker's than I know what to do with. They are my finest shavers and easily most of my favorites. In fact, my latest Boker (vintage barber's notch with pearl tang) gave me the best shave I've ever had with a straight razor. I'm not exaggerating when I say the best. It blew away every other razor that I've ever used. I love that I can pick up vintage ones for cheap! It needs to stay this way. I wouldn't have so many nice pieces if Boker went for Wade & Butcher prices.
I wish I had a vintage Boker to compare to my newer Boker's, as the newer ones are not favourites in my rotation. I find it hard to keep an edge on them, and I probably wouldn't buy another one of it wasn't vintage.
My 6/8 Silver Steel is very sharp and was easy to hone. My Red Injun 101 on the other hand is so sharp, that is scares me to use it. I enjoy both vintage and current production models.Quote:
Originally Posted by Firefighter2
Hmmmm, maybe mine were just made on Friday's! ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Raif79
I have a couple, they are great! I wouldn't buy a new one since the vintage ones are easy to find and a reasonable price. I actually like giving the razor a cleaning, it makes it feel like it's mine.
A+ on that link....Thanks for it! Very useful info there!Quote:
Originally Posted by Pithor
:chapeau
Monday's or Friday's. On Monday's an employee comes in hungover from the weekend & on Friday's they can't wait to get paid to go to the bar!!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by Firefighter2
I have never owned a vintage Boker. I have never been able to find one that was 6/8 and in decent shape. Even modern production razors by Boker are rarely 6/8. I have one, the Elite, that is 6/8. I just used it a few hours ago. Wonderful razor. I can't imagine the vintage ones being any better. Its a wonderful razor. It takes a beautiful edge and shaves really well. I'd like a vintage one but I don't like blades less than 6/8. Those seem tough to come by.
I remember people saying that about buying cars made in Detroit many years ago.Quote:
Originally Posted by engine46
Bob
I have 12 Bokers and they are all fantastic shavers. Love 'em. There are currently some lovely examples on the bay.
I shaved last night with my Boker Elite 6/8 and it shaved like a champ on a 3 day growth. It is a new razor too and not vintage. Even after post shave stropping the blade grabbed a brush hair like a champ!
The difference is that when you buy a new one you are a direct link in the chain that ends up paying the maker, so profit is involved to pay his wages. Someone has conveniently done that for you with any vintage razor by paying the profit years ago.Quote:
Originally Posted by Clayglen
Well I have 3 now. The Edelweiss is my fav. It's in awesome shape, a bit of a water spot on the etching. No gold plate left but that's fine. Shaves like a champ. I'm not sure why the barber's notch with carved spine doesn't mive me so much.
All less than 40 bucks or so.
I have an old Edelweiss, and with the same honing and stropping vs two other reputable vintages, this is the one I so far feel the best about shaving against the grain in tough spots.Quote:
Originally Posted by Clayglen
I have three Bokers: Tree Brand 5/8, Elite 6/8, and Silver Steel 6/8. All 3 are of modern manufacture and each one is finest kind in both performance and quality.
In a few decades they will be "vintage". Guess I just have to be patient.
I have a few & they are all excellent shavers. You can't go wrong with an old or new Boker but I do prefer the older ones. If I were to get a newer one, I would get an Elite. I love the looks of it. There is a guy on eBay selling one claiming it is stainless but as far as I know, they do not make them in a stainless version.
My buddy recently bought an elite. He says it's heavy. Not saying that's good or bad but it certainly has heft. He was impressed. He's a novice but recently caught srad. If I can convince him to bring it to work I'd like to give it a test drive and maybe a review.