I believe this to be true. In fact, I'm continually amazed that vintage razors, most specifically the ones in great condition, go for much less than I think they're worth. Before I get a slew of rebuttals such as "They're only worth what a person is willing to pay for them.", "If they typically go for $XX, then they ain't worth more than that." "They're worth what they're worth.", "The "market" is accurate and sets value where value "should" be.", I'll explain.
Take a look at any one of the current straight razor retailer websites for new Dovo and TI razors. I noticed a Dovo SS with some goldwash in some ironwood scales for $300. Dovo in micarta for $200, many other new razors in that range.
Although I don't comb Ebay daily, I don't see many razors like the following
consistently selling in that range:
Attachment 34540
Nothing against new Dovos, but to me, a Hess 44 given it's rarity (finite number), look and reputation spanks most new razors up and down. Why is it then, that they're often bought on auction for much less than a comparable new production razor?
Attachment 34541
Attachment 34542
Most of us have some razor "gems", many of you have scads and scads more than I do. My point in posting these pics is to support my opinion that again, save for the occasional bidding war auction where we're all talking about "What was that person thinking spending that much on a vintage razor???", fine vintage razors
generally go for much less than comparable new razors and, even vintage razors that are incomparable go for less than new razors that are at least similar in some way. It's really a primary reason why I hold on to some of the "gems" I own; I believe the liklihood of selling them for what I believe they're worth is rather low. Sounds crazy, but true.
A guy once said: "A collector is someone who thinks that any piece in his collection is worth five times more than he'd ever pay for it." Ok, the guy was me but you can still quote me.:)
I wonder if that's part of what's going on. As collectors/users of fine vintage razors we not only enjoy shaving with them, but on some level, we're buying razors because we hope or assume they'll appreciate in value on some level. If we buy high rather than low, the appreciation factor is much lower.
Just some random thoughts.
Chris L