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05-15-2008, 06:50 PM #1
It depends.
If I happened to chance upon a 7/8 tim zowada damascus for 500$ I would pick it up in a heartbeat.
Same for a Tamahagane razor in good condition.
But in those cases I'd only pay that money because I know that the razor is worth a lot more, so I could see it as an investment.
I have not fallen victim to RAD, so after all this time I still have only 3 razor in my rotation. I do not yet have the kind of money I'd need to buy what I would really like, and honestly, I don't think I will anytime soon, what with buying hones and equipment for restoring / making razors.Til shade is gone, til water is gone, Into the shadow with teeth bared, screaming defiance with the last breath.
To spit in Sightblinder’s eye on the Last Day
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05-15-2008, 08:15 PM #2
- Join Date
- Feb 2008
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- 766
Thanked: 174I have not had a new razor that matches a vintage razor that is in good condition.
I'm not talking "looks" I'm talking quality of shave.
Some of the old Sheffield makers, manufactured millions of razors. What they didn't understand about steel quality and how to make a razor nobody today has a hope of replicating in this throw away world.
I do not mean to denigrate DOVO or Thiers Issard, but they are struggling to find craftsman willing to make razors and their quality in the new millenium leaves much to be desired. Their razors are not usually ready for shaving straight out of the box but need to be rescued or prepared by a specialist.
The vintage razors around today have stood the test of time. they were made at a time when each part of razor manufacture was undertaken by a specialist. The surviving razors usually remain because somebody got a good shave out of them and so they kept them. So they are usually good shavers. They may be from Germany, Sweden, England or France.
Do you know that if you take two identical razors, that the chances are one will always shave better than the other. Do you know that even in the old vintage seven day sets there is nearly always one that is overused. Why that happens is because that razor shaved the best of the set.
So, even though they are not always pretty (that is unless the restoration boys from SRP have got hold of them) they are usually the best shavers available. $30 will buy a quality shave and $130 will buy you a pretty quality renovation. You will struggle to find a brand new shave ready in this price range even if you know what you are doing.
So I would strongly recommend you purchase a renovated vintage razor if you want a quality shave. The SRP buy and sell section is a great place to start looking.Last edited by English; 05-15-2008 at 08:19 PM.
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05-15-2008, 08:42 PM #3
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- Jan 2008
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Thanked: 1212The highest I was willing to go, was 100 euro, for that one razor I really liked to have. (I've attached a picture)
That has a lot to do with my surname, and because it is such a beautiful piece, with its sculpted spine.
I was able to win one on Ebay (still in the mail, actually), for about 70 euro.
I have purchased very nice razors for under 10 euro. They all shave very well.
Maybe I'll grant myself one custom razor in a few years, when I 've completely figured out my preferences for the ideal razor. But only if I can spare the money.
Bart.
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05-15-2008, 08:34 PM #4
Being new to straights (and before RAD kicked in), I figured one or two would be plenty, and I figured that spending up to around $100 for a "lifetime" decent quality new razor would fill the bill.
I found one around that price, bought it, and am very happy with it. Curiosity about what else was out there led to another, then others.
Good shavers can be had for not a lot of money, but the "catch-22" is you can't find out which will work for you unless you buy it and try it.
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05-15-2008, 08:48 PM #5
I wouldn't spend more than $50 for a razor. I am probably on the cheaper end of the spectrum
Find me on SRP's official chat in ##srp on Freenode. Link is at top of SRP's homepage
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05-15-2008, 09:19 PM #6
Same here, I have a self imposed limit of $25 for any ebay purchase and $50 for hands on purchases.
I have about 15- 20 razors in my rotation, average cost of $15 (with shipping). All of em awesome shavers.
Of course, once I get out of grad school and get a real job.... LOOKOUT CUSTOM RAZORS!!1!!1
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05-16-2008, 01:28 AM #7
Being the Bigspendur I have a reputation to maintain around here so no razor is too much for me. (yea I wish)
Actually most of my razors are vintage ones I've picked up on Eboy for between $20-80. I do have a few customs which were more and I collect DDs. Luckily I got most of the popular ones before they shot up in price. I think in general if you stay away from the really popular brands you can get a super shaver on Eboy for around $60.No matter how many men you kill you can't kill your successor-Emperor Nero
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05-16-2008, 04:31 PM #8
typically, i will not go any higher than 15-25 on a str8 i really want. but every once in a while, i find one i cannot live without. the most i have spent on 1 razor was 57. i shave with it almost every other shave. the shaves inbetween are for razors i am honing.
i'm cheap.
vgod
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05-16-2008, 06:40 PM #9
As Bigspendur already indicated, Tamahagane is a type of steel that is used in Japanese katana. It is of very high quality, but it is also exceedinly rare.
The sale of Tamahagane steel ingots is regulated by several laws. It can only be sold to licensed swordsmiths, and the oldest smiths get first pick.
Most of it gets forged into swords / weapons.
Occasionally, some gets forged into a couple of razors or utility knives (by the licensed smith of course).
The razors are virtually impossible to obtain, and even if you can, they would cost about 2000$ as was alread indicated.
So if I found one for 500$ I would indeed be a very lucky man and I would buy it immediately.Til shade is gone, til water is gone, Into the shadow with teeth bared, screaming defiance with the last breath.
To spit in Sightblinder’s eye on the Last Day
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05-15-2008, 08:46 PM #10