Thread: why are W&B for barbers only blades pricing so high on auctions?

whats the deal here?
seems odd that the last 2 or 3 auctions ive looked at have been going rediculously high (compared to other WB razors)

Like the oil cartel there is a W&B barbers only cartel that controls the price of these razors!

Either that or there is a sucker born every minute!


Beyond that, I have no idea.

Ebay prices lately are kinda' crazy sometimes.

Being a fan of larger razors (6/8ths mostly), I note that bigger razors go for more on eBay, all things being equal. Add in that the old Sheffield razors tend to be the biggest, and that W&B tend to be maybe the best known of the Sheffield makers. And W&B have a macho name and styling to boot.

There are few 8/8ths razors. Fewer still that are wedge grind and weigh nearly 100gm. Fewer still that have a barber's notch and horn scales. Fewer still are stamped Wade and Butcher. Much fewer still that are stamped "For Barbers Use." Supply and demand.

I'll admit that I myself recently paid stupid money for one after watching from the sidelines for six months. As my Irish Mom used to say: "Curiosity killed the cat - but satisfaction brought it back!" The old W&B Barber razors are just big, bad, boys. Like something a Chinese cook would use to lop off chicken feet in one go.

They do have something about them, especially when you hold one in your hands. The choppers are in a different class with their heft, gargantuan size, etc. Although they're obviously out there, I think in relation to other razors their relative rarity plays a part.

I am glad I've got one.








Chris L

Not bragging but just to illustrate that you can still find deals for these on ebay. The 'barbers use on the tang was $81.00 and the barbers use etched on the blade was $15.00 in a 'buy it now'. Both within the last 6 months.

$15 on a BIN?! You probably thought you couldn't hit the keys fast enough snagging that razor, Jimmy, hoping no one else beat you to it!! Nice. That's what I paid for mine in the pics above at an antique show last year complete with coffin.

I love opening up those old W&B, Joseph Elliot coffins when I see them at shops and I pick them up and can feel that there is SOMETHING inside them. You never know what you're going to get, but most of the time it's worth it.

Chris L

It was an old fellow from Wyoming. He listed a number of them. I got the one in the above post and a really nice Torrey. He had a W&B bow listed but my fingers weren't fast enough on that one. The barbers use on the tang was put up with one poor photo and a description that didn't mention what it was. They are not in as nice a shape as yours but for the price I will live with them. I have honed and shaved with one but not the other. I played around with refinishing it and gave it up when I saw what a job it would be. I will hone it up too eventually and shave with it as is.

I'm not so sure that it is a question of rarity of blades. I would actually say that barber's use Butchers are quite common. And that makes sense, seeing as their name would have to get around quite a bit for them to be so highly regarded and sought after. Indeed, it seems more common razors tend to fetch higher prices (though naturally there are exceptions).

I've noticed that even different maker's 8/8 razors stamped or etched 'barbers use' bring hefty prices. There seems to be a cult following among collectors as well as wet shavers to that genre. It still amazes me to see the number of straight razors that keep on coming on ebay around the world. An endless flow ........ I hope.