Hi,
I am very new to Str8s and have been looking for a second one in antique shops in my area. This led me to wonder what everyone here normally will pay for a decent str8? :hmmm:
Thanks,
Zac
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Hi,
I am very new to Str8s and have been looking for a second one in antique shops in my area. This led me to wonder what everyone here normally will pay for a decent str8? :hmmm:
Thanks,
Zac
Depends on the definition of "decent", but if it's an antique find that is "shaveable" (not shave ready, I'd expect to hone it), clean finish and an "average", entry level, razor (not a collectors item) I'd be willing to pay $20 to $30-ish before considering a brand new entry level razor... But again, it depends on what you expect to find, and as always: YMMV
It depends.
If I happened to chance upon a 7/8 tim zowada damascus for 500$ 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.
I 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.
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.
The 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.
Pardon my ignorance but what is a Tamahagane razor? Have not heard of that before...Quote:
Originally Posted by Bruno
I wouldn't spend more than $50 for a razor. I am probably on the cheaper end of the spectrum
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 :D
Those are Japanese Straight razors. Actually its a type of steel, the kind used to make classic Japanese katana's. And if Bruno found one for $500 he would be the luckiest man in the world because those straights go for about $2000 new IF you can find one.Quote:
Originally Posted by netsurfr
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 $60.
typically, i will not go any higher than 15-25 on a str8 i really want. but every once in a while, i find one i cannot live without. the most i have spent on 1 razor was 57. i shave with it almost every other shave. the shaves inbetween are for razors i am honing.
i'm cheap.
vgod
As Bigspendur already indicated, Tamahagane is a type of steel that is used in Japanese katana. It is of very high quality, but it is also exceedinly rare.
The sale of Tamahagane steel ingots is regulated by several laws. It can only be sold to licensed swordsmiths, and the oldest smiths get first pick.
Most of it gets forged into swords / weapons.
Occasionally, some gets forged into a couple of razors or utility knives (by the licensed smith of course).
The razors are virtually impossible to obtain, and even if you can, they would cost about 2000$ 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.
I'm in the mind set, you pay for what you get, though sometimes you luck out and get a sweet deal.
I just spent $165 plus honing service for 6/8 Wacker "Weyersberg, Kirschbaum & Co" - ebony
Can't wait to try it out.
If I'm buying only a decent straight, then I wouldn't pay more than $50. If I'm buying a high-end straight, then my maximum price is $300; and $300 is for a custom/restored razor - not a vintage/NOS razor. I look at shaving from a practical perspective. I like the aesthetics and craftsmanship of the prettier razors but I don't buy razors to gaze wistfully at them. I purchase them to use them, and pragmatically speaking, there's nothing that I could get from a $400+ razor that a $200 razor couldn't give me.
First let me say that I defiantly am a Vintage razor enthusiast, nothing against new customs, or new Dovo's and TI's, but I like the vintage razors...
My most expensive razor so far was just over the $200 mark and I thought that was a deal at that price... My best shaving razor cost me $8.50 so price, in regards to shavability, is irrelevant when shopping vintage....
You can pick up a completely restored, honed to shave ready, razor right here on SRP for just about any price range you want, from about $60 on up...ya just gotta be quick on the draw :D
A decent razor can be purchased easily (well here in the UK) for less than the price of a pint of beer...........!
We have car boot sales here and you often find Victorian and Edwardian razors for sale. I picked up a nice Joseph Rogers 6/8+ round point for £1 ( about $2) The guy I bought it off thought he was the winner in the deal as most people think these razors are of no practical use.
I can get the razor sharpend up for about £13 ($26)
If I was able to hone my own razors they are almost free.
These old razors if in good condition are as good as any modern razor I'd say with the exeption of some of the custom made beauties I've seen on this site/forum.
I would like a Maestro Livi regrind though:D
If I am kicking tires in an antique shop of a flea market, I will typically grab anything that isn't totally shot for under $20. If I find a razor that is in decent shape, no chips, limited hone wear, intact handles but it needs some work, I'll go to $40 (unless it is an exceptionally interesting piece like with MOP tang or silver bolsters, etc). If I run across some NOS beauty like those Friodor wonders at the Shaving Shop, I'll rationalize spending my rent money on one. Now I have yet to investigate the possibility of a custom and I hope I never get hooked on them because I already know I admire greatly the craftsmanship more than I admire my cash.:gth
I see one in the classifieds for $1400 - a rare occasion indeed!Quote:
Originally Posted by Bruno
As you may have noticed there is no set price for razors. It depends on the specific where it is and the specific who is selling it and lastly who is/has been buying from that source. As far as antique shops go the prices vary from shop to shop and there are places at both ends of the scale.
On average here is what I have been finding and purchasing lately. The prices are not exact but are a generalization of what I remember them costing. No pics on hand but you can be sure all of these needed some type of attention before I would call them usable, besides honing.
Fredrick Reynolds 7/8 wedges w/ tarnish, some rust and critters eating on the horn scales, $8 and 12.
Wade and Butchers 7/8 and 8/8 (2) were had for under 15 bucks each which had rust, tarnish and cracked scales in any combination. Also small chips on the edges.
Clauss NOS 5/8 sq point, $24
C-Mon Blackie w/ plain while scales and just a bit of tarnish, $12, $12 and a wedge for $20.
The location of the shop and the people that shop there will have an effect on price. The only way to know what is reasonable in your area is to shop around from time to time and keep a mental log of what is going for what. Shop within your budget and make a purchase when it feels good. Be sure to look for cracks in the blade and other damage that can not be repaired. Also remember, if you are buying a blade to have restored by someone else you may end up paying more than the razor is worth to you.
I've paid over $500 for a custom, as little as $10 for an ebay special that I restored myself, usually around $100 for something nice and everything in between. When I first started, I bought a Dovo Best for $50 from a retail store. Yup, they were $50 in retail stores, kicked myself when I found the same razor for $30 on ebay. And yes, they were $30 way back in the day.
The next razor I bought was off of ebay and I paid $25 for it. The next two were $15. Then I just kept buying more and more expensive razors.
best shave ive got is off of my 100 dollar solingen apollo, my most expensive one.
ive gotten good shaves from a 40 dollar razor.
id guesstimate about that for a good vintage starter razor, in shave ready condidtion
I am a shaver, not a collector, so bear this in mind. The most I would pay for a razor would be $40-50. This would for a razor that is in good condition (no chips on the blade, little or no corrosion or pitting, and fully intact scales). By implication, this would be a razor that did not need excessive work on the hone to "set" the bevel. As I have said before, if I cannot get a proper bevel in a reasonable time on the 4000 side of my 4000/8000 Norton, I am not interested in it. I have better things to do with my time than trying to fix a damaged razor. I'm also not interested in rescaling or other reconditioning exercises. Those who are - more power to them, but I have other hobbies. Using this philosophy, I have aquired six excellent shavers, all for less than $50 each.
Simmons Hardware Keen Kutter
Case Red Imp
Duble Duck Satin Edge
Duble Duck Golden Edge
Geneva Seneca Chief
Boker Red Injun
I can't decide which of my now 10 razors is the best one yet, but they've all been had for under 75 bucks with the exception of one - a NOS Friodur which I had honed by SRD. It's definitely up there with the best.
There are many, many eBay specials out there if you are looking for a good shaving tool. That is all they ever were to begin with. Any Sheffield, Solingen, Thiers, or Eskeltuna or any of the various American razor manufacturers made great quality razors. If you get one from eBay make sure you don't screw up and buy one of the disguised new Pakastani razors. On an older razor; shop the blade not the handles or decorations. Look for a blade that has not been mis-honed or over honed and it should be a good shaver once you put a new edge on it.
$50-$80
As long as the edges are clean, the blade and handle scales have a nice intact finish I'm all for it. It doesn't have to be anything fancy dripping with gold wash, etching and wearing a pair of Buffalo Horn scales. Just something that looks nice, something presentable you wouldn't be ashamed to show. Like...well like this:
http://straightrazorpalace.com//clas...e/PICT0467.JPG
I don't pay huge amounts for razors. I would certainly spend more if I was interested in the 'popular' makers or if I wanted to buy new, but I'm a vintage man. As it stands, I think $50 is a ceiling, and it would have to be someting very unusual as I'm very happy with my rotation as it stands.
All my razors so far are $10-30 ebay specials. What I consider "decent" in a razor is a blade that is not badly damaged (ie no chips, cracks or excessive pitting). I'm sure some others will have higher standards, but I enjoy the restoration process more than shaving. People who want a shave ready razor or NOS will have to pay more, of course. :)
Double post
$250 for new razors. $100 for used razors.
Pabster
it all depends, greatly. I have bought a blade for 117, and have gotten complete razors for <20. I have a goal though, to get a good rotation of razors I'd never get rid of. I'm really damn close too. anymore it has to really catch my eye for me to consider it, then how hard it is to find determines how much I'd spend on it.
for a custom? no more than 350, IF I somehow had that kind of money. for one already to go, but restored/rescaled and looking fantastic, it'd have to be under 200, and again, I'd have to have the money at the time. :) that's always the rub.
I really need to find a way to make my own blades, but add it to the list of projects and hobbies, my hair'd all be grey before I got to that one.
Red
as everyone else has said, it depends on the razor. for a new one, maybe up to 100. for a used one, never more than 50 unless it's spectacular
I'd say most guys on this site will encourage you to go cheap. For guys who pay $500+ on a razor, it is usually not because of the quality of shave. For those prices you should be able to assume a great shave. This site IMO represents the lower range of 'spenders'. Most guys just want a decent shaving razor, so $30 will do fine for them. Then again, they'll probably never get their dream razor/s. I am not surprised when certain razors can be sold for $2000+.
I've gone 65 before for a vintage, but i'd go much higher for a custom art piece
For a decent razor, I'd spend maybe $30 at most. For blades that I want for myself (I'm pretty selective, and I wouldn't refer to these as "decent"), I've spent four times that.