Thread: Vintage razors are a great deal at almost any cost.

And some GREAT random thoughts they are.I also love vintage.Everytime i shave with one I think about the history behind that perticular razor.Well said ChrisL,you dont have to spend a bundle for a great razor.

Originally Posted by ChrisL

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

Well said,Jimmy!!

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

There is something about a vintage razor, particularly if it is in fine condition. It has history and soul that a new razor just ain't got. I agree 100% about the dollar for dollar value between the current production and the oldies.

Originally Posted by khaos

My Tally Ho: (8/8 damn near full wedge)

Karl, that Tally Ho is gorgeous. Your photos are excellent too, especially the Tally Ho. What camera and lighting setup are you using ? This first generation Sony Mavica I use is just worthless by comparison.

Its really pretty much that way with everything. New items sell at a premium and used go for much less with the exception of things that are highly sought after. It has nothing to do with the quality whether the vintage is far superior to the new or not. That's why savy people will buy say a car that's a year or so old or a watch thats also maybe a year old. No different with razors.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Its really pretty much that way with everything. New items sell at a premium and used go for much less with the exception of things that are highly sought after. It has nothing to do with the quality whether the vintage is far superior to the new or not. That's why savy people will buy say a car that's a year or so old or a watch thats also maybe a year old. No different with razors.

True. Other factors are ornamentation. After all, how many razors do you see on the bay with worked spines, gold wash, or mammoth ivory scales? Most new razors (with some exceptions) have at the very least etching or gold wash on the blade face.

Personally I like a plainer blade, so vintage it is. Though I sure would like to get my hands on a pretty new TI...

+1 to Jimmy!

I would MUCH rather have a "vintage" razor than a new one. The nostalgia and history you're holding and gliding across your face is something that I enjoy

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Karl, that Tally Ho is gorgeous. Your photos are excellent too, especially the Tally Ho. What camera and lighting setup are you using ? This first generation Sony Mavica I use is just worthless by comparison.

On the photos I must give credit. I currently have no camera to my name. The Tally Ho is Undream's resto pic, and the 42 was taken for me by Seraphim. The Leader is on my old camera.

Also on the note of lots of people commenting on the Tally Ho- you can find Undream's resto thread here:Tally Ho! 8/8 in Horn, Brass, and more Horn - Straight Razor Place Forums He is a great guy with fair prices and clearly he does excellent work. I spent a lot of time looking through the resto forum to find a guy who I thought could restore her for me.

Back on topic: the point is if you can take a massive, old, beautiful, great shaving blade and have it resto-d CUSTOM'd to YOUR specs, for a total cost (including buying the razor and shipping in various directions) <$120, I think that speaks to the value of vintage over new.

My biggest concern, at least as a newbie to razors, is not knowing what to look for. Sure I can find eBay auctions that say they are selling wonderful vintage razors, but how do I know this random brand that is no longer around isn't some piece of crap?

I'd love to have a vintage razor, but I'm scared away by the idea that there are razors out on eBay that are a waste of my time and money.

Well I have no experience yet shaving with a vintage razor, but I agree with everything that's been said. Don't get me wrong, I'm very happy with my Dovo in ebony scales, I like the idea that I'm the first owner and I think it is a very pretty razor.

Yet, even though I have never used a vintage razor to shave with, this site has so many that rave about their vintage blades and talk about that feel of a tool with history and the craftsmanship of the razors that it encouraged me to start restoring so I could make use of some of those vintage finds. I get those same feelings when restoring a razor to the point that I accept as fact everything said in this thread without any experience shaving vintage.

Granted the few I have restored will be sharpened soon and I honestly can't wait, but I don't think my Dovo will leave my rotation any time soon either.

I totally agree with the OP. The most I've ever spent on a single razor is $125 - that was the price of both my 8/8 Savage wedge. For the same money, I'd get... well I don't know of the top of my head, but I'd guess a base Boker, maybe a Bismark, maybe a base TI, etc. Those new razors might shave as well, but they wouldn't have the size, elegance, or history as my wedge - that thing is from the 1840's and had never been honed!

Looking through the rest of my keepers, which are quite nice blades by now, there are some very unique blades, some with lots of history, some in amazing shape, and some with sentimental value. Some are razors that make others "oooh and aaah" and some are sleepers. They are all top notch shavers, and they were all relatively inexpensive.

But those razors did take me a lot of time to gather, I got lucky on a lot of auctions, I know what I'm looking for when I see vintage blades, I can do a little cleaning on my own, and I can hone. All that takes time, skill, and effort, which a newer guy will not have. As such, a new razor can be a safe investment. Then again, there's always the classifieds...