Thread: Boker Red Injun 101

I am still fairly new to straight razor shaving. I bought a DOVO Best Quality and after a month and a half I'm finally proficient enough to manage the shower/shave process in under 30 mins.

I want a second razor and have been watching E-bay. I specifically want to try one that doesn't have a curved end and it seems that Boker is the way to go for this.

I see several Boker Red Injun 101's for sale on E-bay, generally for $45 or under which is what I'm looking to spend. Do any of you experts know if that specific razor model is good quality or not?

All my Bokers are nice shavers. This seems like a fine choice however getting one from the bay likely means you will need to get it honed by someone and that will increase the cost. You might consider watching the classifieds here or even posting a WTB for a Boker.

Good luck!

As a fellow newbie who's purchased off both eBay and the classifieds, I'd say the classifieds are the "safer" option of the two for purchasing a razor. The two reasons are the quality of the salespeople on the classifieds and the shave-readiness of the razor when you buy it. I'm sure there are quality sellers on eBay, but I feel you know what you're getting on SRP much better. Also, if you buy a razor on eBay it's most likely not shave ready, which means you'll have to spend more on honing and wait that much longer, assuming there's no major damage that would cost even more to fix. I've heard of folks having to wait a month (or more!) to have a razor honed by one of the honemeisters. I'm sure it's worth the wait, but I'm an impatient fella!

Either way you go, good luck and post photos once you snag something!

as far as i'm concerned if it's boker any model is a good one.
yeah get one in the classifieds if you can. for ebay you'll have to be a lot more careful what you're purchasing, especially with popular brands like this on which people with almost no knowledge bid only because it has the name.

and yes, i've gotten quite a few bokers myself, most from ebay, but the best ones came from members.

but of course sometimes you don't have a choice.

Originally Posted by gugi

as far as i'm concerned if it's boker any model is a good one.

I agree with Gugi on this... I love Bokers. But I also agree with Glen when he cautions against buying from ebay until you don't have to ask if you should be buying a certain razor from ebay. You may get lucky, but you could get burned.

A lot of members here sell on ebay too. There is a list in the wiki, but I cant speak to how current it is. There is also a video there with lynn and he points out some of the big things to look for on ebay regarding the condition of razors. My first was a srd dovo, second was a henkels from ebay(cedarfurnitureman). I have since bought 11(5 bokers, 2 soligen, 2 Jr Torrey, 1 nst cutlery, 1 dubl duck) others off ebay and have been pretty lucky so far. The only mistake so far was I bought a red injun(i also have wanted one) that was in bad shape. It had a big chip on the toe end and was pretty covered in rust. I was going to use it as a first restore, thought I could work miracles. Quickly found out I was mistaken. There will be a lenghty post in the workshop section when I complete my mini razor. More of a what not to do.
The classifieds will be safer, but ebay will work as long as you dont let RAD attack you. Oh, and dont worry there will be another one come along.

Originally Posted by Jasongreat

A lot of members here sell on ebay too. There is a list in the wiki, but I cant speak to how current it is. There is also a video there with lynn and he points out some of the big things to look for on ebay regarding the condition of razors. My first was a srd dovo, second was a henkels from ebay(cedarfurnitureman). I have since bought 11(5 bokers, 2 soligen, 2 Jr Torrey, 1 nst cutlery, 1 dubl duck) others off ebay and have been pretty lucky so far. The only mistake so far was I bought a red injun(i also have wanted one) that was in bad shape. It had a big chip on the toe end and was pretty covered in rust. I was going to use it as a first restore, thought I could work miracles. Quickly found out I was mistaken. There will be a lenghty post in the workshop section when I complete my mini razor. More of a what not to do.
The classifieds will be safer, but ebay will work as long as you dont let RAD attack you. Oh, and dont worry there will be another one come along.

Thanks to everyone for the advice. I did end up bidding on a no name razor that looked awesome and I was willing to gamble. It had stamped on it Nattle Germany and the other side was H.H. Lang Phila. Pa. Unfortunately, My price cap was $55 and I was outbid. It sold for $67.

I replied to your post in specific because the seller was cedarfurnitureman. I am glad you responded to this and I can assume that said e-bay seller is reputable if you mention him here.

I did check out the classifieds here. Didn't see exactly what I was looking for, but Gugi did have one that looks interesting. I'll keep checking.

I am sure you all are right that more will keep coming. I have a six week trip coming up and I want to sent my current one in to Lynn for a hone before the trip. Thus, I want to purchase a shave ready one to use while mine is off for a hone.

=slim5111;527760]Thanks to everyone for the advice. I did end up bidding on a no name razor that looked awesome and I was willing to gamble. It had stamped on it Nattle Germany and the other side was H.H. Lang Phila. Pa. Unfortunately, My price cap was $55 and I was outbid. It sold for $67.

I replied to your post in specific because the seller was cedarfurnitureman. I am glad you responded to this and I can assume that said e-bay seller is reputable if you mention him here.

Well your doing good so far, having a cap on your bid. I did mention him because I was very happy with my razor. It was refinished to a mirror shine and was as sharp as my Lynn honed razor I had bought first. I think he is a member here but not sure since I didnt see his name on the wiki list of ebayers. One thing I forgot to mention is there is a list of razors to avoid in the wiki too.

I did check out the classifieds here. Didn't see exactly what I was looking for, but Gugi did have one that looks interesting. I'll keep checking.

I am sure you all are right that more will keep coming. I have a six week trip coming up and I want to sent my current one in to Lynn for a hone before the trip. Thus, I want to purchase a shave ready one to use while mine is off for a hone.

I know there are a few members that have links in their sig line for websites they run where they sell restored razors and such. They may be a little more than what you want to spend but from what i've seen they do awesome work and the razors come ready to shave. Probably every moderator in the workshop section, but i'm am not sure. They may have a presence in the vendor forum too.

Good luck with your search.

not sure how helpful it would be but you can always post an ad in the WTB section in the classifieds.
it seems that you don't care all that much if it is a boker after all since you bid on a no name razor based on looks.

slim5111,

I agree with the previous posts...From all that I've heard/read the vintage Bokers are all great shavers.

Of course if all else fails, you can wait for a str8 razor deal of the week at Straight Razor Designs that may feature a new production Boker with a spike point. Don told me that he thinks the new Bokers are fine shavers too.