Thread: London, 1830: cost of razors

I was just thinking, that makes me wonder what "black handles" were made from. My first thought was synthetic, but looking at the other materials I'm more likely to guess horn. If it was horn, that would drive the price up a bit.

Whichever material it was, I'm a bit surprised that "the other" is not offered as an option. If synthetics weren't offered, it suggests to me that these were probably some high end razors.

We also know that Mappin & Webb made the "Shilling razor," and they are, at least today, pretty expensive/classy razors, so that too makes me wonder what sort of razors are being referred to in this document.

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

I was just thinking, that makes me wonder what "black handles" were made from. My first thought was synthetic, but [..] I'm a bit surprised that "the other" is not offered as an option. [..]

Ehi, my friend, synthetic in 1830? Celluloid started to circulate during 1870's.

EDIT: Also, I guess that at the beginning celluloid could have been more expensive than horn (just thoughts.. you know: new material, new vogue, etc..).

I heard it took a worker 2 weeks salary to buy a good razor, but according to this, it's 6 days. I guess it's in this ballpark.

how many cheeseburgers could one get for a new razor? I think that is the only relevant comparison

Originally Posted by hoglahoo

how many cheeseburgers could one get for a new razor? I think that is the only relevant comparison

I'd gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today.

Jimmy says,
"I'd gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today".
__________________
Regards,

Jimmy
_____________________
______________________________

Jimmy,

I would never make that statement. It would make me sound "Wimpy" !!

J S
~~

By these prices I'm a lucky duck, I've never once spent more then $50 bucks for a razor EVER, just ask Lee, he knows my deal.

That's why these puppies were made to such quality, because for me to pay a weeks salary for a blade, it better be some Bill Ellis **** I tell you what.

btw great info guys, love this hobby, and this form.

Cheers
David

I find this interesting as well. I know Jimmy was tongue in cheek regarding the Hart razor, but viewing the information you've posted here in relation to the available "new" razors, the good Dovos, TIs, etc at $200-$300+ puts things into perspective.

Within the last year I read something that relates to this; I'm paraphrasing, but what I read mentioned about how in Roman times an ounce of gold would buy a higher end or well made from quality materials: a pair of sandals, a nice garment of fine fabric (think equivalent to a suit of today) and a nice belt. At gold somewhere around $1,000 U.S. today the writer's position was that an ounce of gold would buy about the same today, millennia later.

A fine razor in the early nineteenth century cost approx the same as a fine razor costs today. Makes sense to me.

Chris L

Originally Posted by ChrisL

A fine razor in the early nineteenth century cost approx the same as a fine razor costs today. Makes sense to me.

Chris L

This is exactly what I mean... it was a luxury good back then, but to compare it to now, we have to find a comparable good's price. It is expensive vs. a Dovo Best (obviously so- it is a much better razor), but cheap vs. a Livi (reasonably so, many Livi's are very extravagant... like the Tortoise shell razor model)...

Originally Posted by khaos

This is exactly what I mean... it was a luxury good back then, but to compare it to now, we have to find a comparable good's price. It is expensive vs. a Dovo Best, but cheap vs. a Livi...

I could be wrong, but I don't think the razors at that time were comparable to a Dovo Best. Based on the razors from the period that are still around, they seem to be high quality blades, and the workmanship and quality control seemed higher as well (though that could be because only the good blades of the era were treated carefully enough to still be around). Anyway, I think the comparison to higher end Dovo's, TI's and Hart's is a fair one.