Page 2 of 3 FirstFirst 123 LastLast
Results 11 to 20 of 26
  1. #11
    Know thyself holli4pirating's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    New York
    Posts
    11,930
    Thanked: 2559

    Default

    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.

  2. #12
    clavichord's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Italy
    Posts
    394
    Thanked: 159

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by holli4pirating View Post
    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..).
    Last edited by clavichord; 10-04-2009 at 08:20 PM.

  3. #13
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    San Diego/LA, Calif.
    Posts
    268
    Thanked: 27

    Default

    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.

  4. #14
    Never a dull moment hoglahoo's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Tulsa, OK
    Posts
    8,922
    Thanked: 1501
    Blog Entries
    1

    Default

    how many cheeseburgers could one get for a new razor? I think that is the only relevant comparison
    Find me on SRP's official chat in ##srp on Freenode. Link is at top of SRP's homepage

  5. #15
    Senior Member blabbermouth JimmyHAD's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Posts
    32,564
    Thanked: 11042

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by hoglahoo View Post
    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.
    Be careful how you treat people on your way up, you may meet them again on your way back down.

  6. #16
    50 year str. shaver mrsell63's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Pothole County, PA
    Posts
    2,258
    Thanked: 522
    Blog Entries
    2

    Default Jimmy Quote

    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
    ~~
    JERRY
    OOOPS! Pass the styptic please.

  7. #17
    < Banned User >
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Posts
    425
    Thanked: 363

    Talking

    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

  8. #18
    Senior Member blabbermouth ChrisL's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Posts
    4,445
    Thanked: 834

    Default

    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
    "Blues fallin' down like hail." Robert Johnson
    "Aw, Pretty Boy, can't you show me nuthin but surrender?" Patti Smith

  9. #19
    Senior Member khaos's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Ithaca NY
    Posts
    1,752
    Thanked: 160

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by ChrisL View Post

    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)...
    Last edited by khaos; 10-06-2009 at 04:40 AM.

  10. #20
    Know thyself holli4pirating's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    New York
    Posts
    11,930
    Thanked: 2559

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by khaos View Post
    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.

Page 2 of 3 FirstFirst 123 LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •