Thread: 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:


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?





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)



My 42:


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.

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.

Originally Posted by charlie762

Very nice photography khaos especially on the Tally Ho.

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