Vintage razors are a great deal at almost any cost.

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

You're quite right Chris! Another thing is: if you look well after your vintage razor you can usually sell it for about as much as you paid for it. New razors fetch much less when you want to resell them.

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.

I have tried to make this point in a different way and the way I put it was not very popular. Very elegant write up ChrisL. My sentiments exactly. My biggest beef with a lot of the newer razors is they don't offer any value... I got a Hess 42 in pretty good condition for <$50 and it is my best razor right now. Also in my possession are: an NOS FWE Leader, a Goldedge with only two spots on it and 15-20% of it's gold missing, and a BEAUTIFUL restored Tally Ho. Priced at something like ~40, ~75, ~120 all said and done. So if you add up all 4 of my "glam" razors its still less than $300, and I have trouble justifying a Dovo with factory issues or a very plain looking Hartsteel etc for that kind of money.

My Tally Ho: (8/8 damn near full wedge)
http://www.straightrazoredge.com/200....8%20-%203.JPG


My 42:
http://www.badgerandblade.com/vb/att...1&d=1256218122

My Leader (had a little tarnish on the bolsters that polished right off)

I gotta agree with Jimmy for me it is the history too,,

I think I have owned 5 new razors they all shaved great ....

I love the hunt and the kill of finding a perfect example of a vintage razor....and honestly I really don't care what anyone else says certain vintage razors have a smooth factor that cannot be matched...

Just realised something. Your Weltmeister razor says "Solinger Wertarbeit" translated means Solingen Workmanship. But- if you split wertarbeit up into wert and arbeit, it is "worth" and "work". Just an interesting insight into German mindset way back when the word was first used that the word for workmanship is a compound of work (obvious) and worth (less obvious and usually lacking in today's products).

$98.00 USD shipped priority mail. A pair of near mint C.V. Heljestrand ivory scaled 5/8 and 6/8 razors in their original case. Going to the hones tonight or tomorrow. :y

They really are a deal. I have had several great (though slightly less than cosmetically perfect) razors delivered to my door for under $10. Which means I could get 6 of them for the price of the cheapest Dovo.

Hadn't really thought of it like that before...

Very nice photography khaos especially on the Tally Ho.

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Originally Posted by charlie762

Very nice photography khaos especially on the Tally Ho.

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That photo smacks of Undream. ;) I assume he was the restorer. That guy does crazy good work!

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.:nono::D

Quote:

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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

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Well said,Jimmy!!;)

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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.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by khaos

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

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:OTKarl, 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.

Quote:

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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.

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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 :)

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Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

:OTKarl, 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. :(

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:OT 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...

Vintage razors have great history....two I picked up at an estate auctions for $10 each:

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Originally Posted by TheBaron

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.

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I think you make a great point. No one is saying that new razors aren't still great shavers- they have to be to make it in the market. I also think it is a really good place to start, esp. with a shave ready set up from one of our many great vendors, but for the cash strapped people like me, razors offer a lot of extra value. I started with a $10 POS that a member honed for me, and it is still in my rotation.

If I had infinite amounts of money, I probably would have a lot of production razors (I almost bought the dovo ebony because I personally think it is elegant, and it is also cheaper, but then lo and behold I snagged my Hess off the bay for not cheap, and certainly not in my normal bid range, but at <$50 I feel it was totally worth it) but for now I'll lurk and make do with vintage. :-P

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Originally Posted by jcw122

but how do I know this random brand that is no longer around isn't some piece of crap?

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Well, you kinda just have to take it on merit that way back when, people just didn't bother to make a piece of crap. It would have taken just as long to make a piece of crap razor as a good one, expect no one would have bought it because it wouldn't have shaved in the shop.

On topic, I only have one new razor. It was at least third hand when I got it.

There is no way I could justify paying out for a spanking new razor. I couldn't really justify paying out for a 'popular' vintage brand or a restored vintage either though.

That is, my razors generally don't look much, because i haven't spent the time to make them look much, but if you're paying 50 bucks for a shinny razor and I'm paying 5 for a dull one, is that so different from someone spending a hundred bucks on a new razor and you spending 50 on a shinny vintage?

I don't know. I guess you should buy what ever offers you the best value for money and be done with it.

That Tally-Ho is stunning.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jcw122

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.

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If you want someone's opinion on arazor you see on ebay, don't be afraid to ask any of the more experienced guys (especially resto guys) if they think it might be ok. Of course just seeing pics doesn't always tell you the whole story, but you can get a good idea if you know what to look for.

PM one of the guys, or log into the IRC chat room and ask if anyone would be willing to take a look at a razor for you. I'm sure someone would be glad to take a look if you give them the auction number :)

Just about everyone here is very nice and helpful, so don't be afraid to ask for help!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by avatar1999

If you want someone's opinion on arazor you see on ebay, don't be afraid to ask any of the more experienced guys (especially resto guys) if they think it might be ok. Of course just seeing pics doesn't always tell you the whole story, but you can get a good idea if you know what to look for.

PM one of the guys, or log into the IRC chat room and ask if anyone would be willing to take a look at a razor for you. I'm sure someone would be glad to take a look if you give them the auction number :)

Just about everyone here is very nice and helpful, so don't be afraid to ask for help!

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Good idea avatar, I'll be sure to do that! Thanks!

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Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

$98.00 USD shipped priority mail. A pair of near mint C.V. Heljestrand ivory scaled 5/8 and 6/8 razors in their original case. Going to the hones tonight or tomorrow. :y

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That was youuu! I had my eye on those but it went a little out of my price range. Gorgeous set, Jimmy -- to me, the razors alone are worth more than what you paid and the box looks damn sweet.

I managed to get a nice eBay lot to further Chris' point. $56 for these beauties:
http://straightrazorpalace.com/membe...nt-auction.jpg

Boxes don't match. Razor on the left is a Morley (which I'm fond of), then the right column from top-to-bottom are: Mellgren Swedish, an excellent looking Weltmeister, my first Wade & Butcher, a New Century German, and lastly another Morley. I was really just bidding for the Weltmeister. The Morleys and W&B are bonus and I'm interested to check out the two unknowns.

I love the age and history (even if I'll never know specifics) of these razors and the fact that vintage ones are tried and true. Don't see myself spending the money on a new razor anytime soon, but perhaps eventually as a treat and to see if I can tell any difference.

Everyone used to own and use straight razors, which is why there are so many around, which is why vintage prices are reasonable, which is why we straight razor users are very lucky indeed!

Ever tried to read to the light of a vintage Aladdin lamp?
Do you know of any other antique that is so relatively cheap?

I see a lot of straight razor boxes stamped $3. (There must have been world-wide price-setting collusion.) Taking that as the selling price when new, adjusting for inflation, even factoring in the fact that it is now used, I suspect when we buy vintage we are getting a more than great deal!

Also, you have to consider the fact that many vintage razors haven't noticeably deteriorated in quality.

So, that is my long-winded way of agreeing with the original post!

if you stop and think when these razors wer made people wer working for .50 cents a day or is some places 5.00 dollars a week so the price of 3.00 is quite a bit. my first paying job was a 1.00 a hour and was making 60.to 70. dollars a week and going to highscool wasent much time to get in any trouble and if i did what i got when i got home wasent nice.

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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.

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I agree. However, many things, I would argue straight razors included, diminish in value from new until age ("antique"), rarity and/or demand reverse that process. Clearly, as you can tell by my post, I'm amazed that vintage razors in excellent condition, almost regardless of make are bought and sold for their consistently low prices in relation to new. Excellent condition vintage razors are undervalued and oftentimes dramatically so. That's the bees knees if you're a buyer and I personally love the fact that sellers such as most antique dealers don't have a clue. As a seller though (I've only sold a small number of razors to date), the undervalued vintage razor factor has definitely kept razors in my stable that under different circumstances I'd most likely have sold off over time. The concept of excellent condition vintage razors regardless of make consistently going for MORE than typical new razors (say $200 on up) seems foreign and unreal. It actually surprises me that that's not the case. I still wonder why that is.

Chris L

I agree. It amazes me vintage razors are so inexpensive. Shhhhhh....
Actually, considering the cost of a crappy plastic disposable handle and a years worth of disposable blades, the modern hand crafted straights are a real deal too. This may be one of the last places where you can get such high quality products for so little! And, looking at the Dovo manufacturing video, it appears that even the new ones are still primarily made by hand with a whole lot of individual steps (although if they were truly honed to "shave ready" they would have to be considerably more $).

Inspiring thread to keep an eye out for Vintage razors in good to great condition. I bought new straights and I am glad I did and I know that the ones I have will still get a good price if I ever decided to sell them, which I will not.

Pabster

I also prefer vintage and enjoy fantasizing about the history behind them. New production razors have their place and are priced appropriately for today's economy as the market bears out.

Between CarrieM and I we have ~ 270 razors (yea I know, RAD) and in the bunch we have only 2 new production Dovos purchased used and one of the last Fillies from CS. All are shave ready, in service and I rotate through the bunch as best I can. Averaging the cost of the razors I get a cost of $25.02. Some are Ebay scores. 179 are local finds from Antique shops and the like. The average cost for local finds is $16.49. Of the total lot most are not in NOS condition and do have some tarnish and/or pitting but shave just fine. The time spent on the hunt, gas and the time spent honing/restoring are not included in the cost as I do all myself with CarrieM and JrJoeD and it is enjoyable for us.

On a tight budget, look in antique shops and sleepers on Ebay and learn to do the honing yourself. If your time is more valuable or you don't have the patients or skills to do so go with the new blades of purchase them restored and honed. How ever you decide to go, forget the cost and enjoy the great shaves!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Joed

I also prefer vintage and enjoy fantasizing about the history behind them. New production razors have their place and are priced appropriately for today's economy as the market bears out.

Between CarrieM and I we have ~ 270 razors (yea I know, RAD) and in the bunch we have only 2 new production Dovos purchased used and one of the last Fillies from CS. All are shave ready, in service and I rotate through the bunch as best I can. Averaging the cost of the razors I get a cost of $25.02. Some are Ebay scores. 179 are local finds from Antique shops and the like. The average cost for local finds is $16.49. Of the total lot most are not in NOS condition and do have some tarnish and/or pitting but shave just fine. The time spent on the hunt, gas and the time spent honing/restoring are not included in the cost as I do all myself with CarrieM and JrJoeD and it is enjoyable for us.

On a tight budget, look in antique shops and sleepers on Ebay and learn to do the honing yourself. If your time is more valuable or you don't have the patients or skills to do so go with the new blades of purchase them restored and honed. How ever you decide to go, forget the cost and enjoy the great shaves!

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I've seen some of your scores and they're amazing. I've been to a few antique stores and almost all of them have their razors overpriced around here*. Do you see similar things up by you?

I'm talking $50-$100 for just general razors in mediocre condition. I've bought a few (say 2 or 3) regardless and don't mind the price I paid, but have left many because, even at a negotiated price, I couldn't justify the purchase.

Surprisingly, my eBay experiences have been much better as I mentioned upthread. The drawback is that you have to rely on whatever pictures are posted so I don't bother bidding on listings with either few or blurry pictures.

EDIT: "here" being north-central Florida. I also checked antique stores in Charleston and that was a flippin' joke.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by commiecat

I've seen some of your scores and they're amazing. I've been to a few antique stores and almost all of them have their razors overpriced around here*. Do you see similar things up by you?

I'm talking $50-$100 for just general razors in mediocre condition. I've bought a few (say 2 or 3) regardless and don't mind the price I paid, but have left many because, even at a negotiated price, I couldn't justify the purchase.

Surprisingly, my eBay experiences have been much better as I mentioned upthread. The drawback is that you have to rely on whatever pictures are posted so I don't bother bidding on listings with either few or blurry pictures.

EDIT: "here" being north-central Florida. I also checked antique stores in Charleston and that was a flippin' joke.

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Yes, there are places and people that think they have gold on their shelves. Carriem let's them know what's up. I tell them it looks just fine where it is and because of that it should stay there. As we all are aware of, there is no set price for vintage items, razors included. Some people will drop their prices, some just want to get ride of the razors because they scare them or they don't want kids getting them. Others think the high price is acceptable. I shop around and have left a many razors where they were. One instance that comes to mind is a Wonderedge we found in an antique shop. Price was $250 w/ maybe a max 10% off, maybe. We looked at it, discussed it's flaws with the person showing it and left it there. We went back a week or two later and CarrieM came around the corner of the isle white as a ghost with a big smile. "They marked the Wonderedge 1/2 off!" she whispered. Needless to say we went home with it even though it was about 5 times the high limit we usually spend on antique shop razors in great condition. Lately the prices have been going up in our local haunts and that is fine. We have become a lot more picky in what we buy unless I am on a hunting spree, which is when CarrieM picks up some restore blades to keep me busy for a while. :)

This is a Good Topic. I am a relative newbie straights, but not DE and SE razors.

I own 4 vintage razors as of now. 2 are with a friend getting restored, 1 is getting restored by me, and I just bought a shave ready razor in the classifieds for around 30 bucks.

I probably will buy a new TI or Dovo in the future. Just for my own curiosity and to see how it compares with my other razors.

Im with the OP when he made the statement that vintage razors are a great deal at almost any cost. We all get into making the vintage razors look as pretty as possible here, but I sometimes forget that you can still get that razor honed and shave with it without restoring it. Thus, making it very cheap to get a good shave.

I wish I was older and had been around since some of the old timers. They must have really got good deals on ebay!!

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Originally Posted by Joed

Some people will drop their prices, some just want to get ride of the razors because they scare them or they don't want kids getting them. Others think the high price is acceptable.

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I'm assuming antique shops work the same where you are as they can in Minnesota. Most larger antique shops rent out booth space to many antique dealers; dealers who are rarely if ever on site. Such dealers will often give a maximum discount limit on their merchandise if a discount isn't listed on their booth or display cases. This means, the person showing you the razors in this type of shop has little to no authority to bargain and consequently could care less to do so. Also, although I ask the person greeting me whether they know where straight razors, sharpening stones and shaving related items are, I always view the entire shop myself since again, the people on site rarely know the inventory of each and every dealer featured.

However, in my travels there are a fair number of smaller antique shops where everything for sale is owned by the person that greets me. I love these shops because bargaining is on, conversation is almost always pleasant and memorable, etc. There's a large distinction between the two types of antique shops.

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Originally Posted by jimmyfingers

I wish I was older and had been around since some of the old timers. They must have really got good deals on ebay!!

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I don't know that I wish I was older ;-)), but I believe Lynn and others have stories that cause we to seethe with utter jealousy about the days when vintage straights could be had for a song and in any color, make or flavor!!

Chris L

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Originally Posted by ChrisL

I'm assuming antique shops work the same where you are as they can in Minnesota. Most larger antique shops rent out booth space to many antique dealers; dealers who are rarely if ever on site. Such dealers will often give a maximum discount limit on their merchandise if a discount isn't listed on their booth or display cases. This means, the person showing you the razors in this type of shop has little to no authority to bargain and consequently could care less to do so. Also, although I ask the person greeting me whether they know where straight razors, sharpening stones and shaving related items are, I always view the entire shop myself since again, the people on site rarely know the inventory of each and every dealer featured.

However, in my travels there are a fair number of smaller antique shops where everything for sale is owned by the person that greets me. I love these shops because bargaining is on, conversation is almost always pleasant and memorable, etc. There's a large distinction between the two types of antique shops. Chris L

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We have both types of antique shops around us. As with any type of store their policies are different between shops. We like to think of ourselves as friendly people. This is key to doing business w/ favorable results. We also try to make our interactions with the workers or vendors memorable. A friendly and memorable experience builds friendships. In the end it really depends on the people we interact with. For the most part all of the shops and vendors remember us as returning customers that are a pleasure to work with. With a relationship like this it is easier to deal with the shops and vendors. Last night we went to one of the Co-op shops in the area and was able to get a 20% discount. If you can make the negotiations enjoyable both parties can walk away happy. Remember, flea market, garage sales and antique market prices are not fixed! In these Co-op antique shops the sales people always have the option of contacting the merchant to negotiate the price. Don't get stuck in a paradigm, think outside the box. Good luck.

I also greatly appreciate the character and history of an old razor, even more a razor that has been through years of hell and corrosion but has almost been reborn by the new owner. The only thing that drives me nuts is when someone is selling one for way more than its worth. I went to a swap meet and I'm sorry but a razor with half the scales missing, a quarter inch chunk of blade missing and the rest of the blade covered in gunk (may have been corrosion but looked more like emulsified motor oil), is just not worth forty five bucks. I hate to sound cheap, but whoa.