Thread: Do you own any razors and related items you consider PRICELESS?

Absolutely none. Not least because none of the items of equipment I own are irreplacable, not least because none of them are heirlooms.

For me, it really is that simple. Most razors are like any other in terms of performance. Yes, my Otto Deutsch "Hans" is a looker (and the only razor the wife will let me put on display), but even that one could be reasonably easily replaced.

Originally Posted by Bruno

I have some stuff that is worthless...

To answer the question: no.
I have some stuff I'd hold on to as long as I don't need the money, like my nakayama and other hones. But I'd sell them as soon as I needed the money badly.

It may seem weird but I am not attached to my earthly possessions. They're just stuff. The only things I'd consider important are my wife and kids. All the rest can burn down with the house. Sure I'd regret losing some stuff, but in the end it's just stuff. I take good care of my tools and treat them with respect, but there is no emotional anchor attached to them.

This is something I learned from my mother and grandmother. My grandmother and father were beyond 'well to do' before WW2. She couldn't accept that they were eating real food while next door neighbors ate grass (literally). After WW2, most of what they had was gone because my grandmother shared / sold off whatever they had to help people survive. There's many a family in my home village alive today because of what she did.

So my mother, and afterward me and my siblings, grew up with the philosophy that stuff is just stuff. Care for it and respect it, but it's still just stuff.

Bruno, a great and selfless act by your grandparents. The human spirit cannot be suppressed.

The stuff I have that I consider to be priceless are heirloom pieces.
Pretty much all the necessary items. I've got my great grandfathers hone, a natural combo coti; his vintage strop, linen + horsehide and two of his razors where one of these belonged to his father so my great great grandfather.
It's basically the only stuff I have atm. I feel like I don't need anything else (besides a brush and some cream ;p), I feel so fortunate to have this in my possession.

Originally Posted by jasp

The stuff I have that I consider to be priceless are heirloom pieces.
Pretty much all the necessary items. I've got my great grandfathers hone, a natural combo coti; his vintage strop, linen + horsehide and two of his razors where one of these belonged to his father so my great great grandfather.
It's basically the only stuff I have atm. I feel like I don't need anything else (besides a brush and some cream ;p), I feel so fortunate to have this in my possession.

Wow! Really? Your Great Great Grandfather? That is just so cool. What is his date range?

Originally Posted by Alembic

Wow! Really? Your Great Great Grandfather? That is just so cool. What is his date range?

being a young fella myself, it could date back to around the late 19th century, however I have no idea to when he actually got this particular razor I have in my possession

Originally Posted by joke1176

Personally, I'm still looking for that "priceless" item... but some of my natural stones come close.

the Acquisition Disorder marches on!

+1 I've only been at it for about eight months now so, while I have some razors, hones, etc. that I like more than others, I haven't yet come across any one particular item I'd never sell or be devastated to lose.

So far, the thing I treasure above all others is the experience - which can go anywhere with me, can never be sold (but can be passed on), and can't be taken away.

As for losing all my shaving gear (fire, natural disaster, theft, etc.) - I think I would be more upset over not being able to shave for lack of any gear more than I would over any one particular item having been lost.

I actually did lose everything in a fire not too long ago...the moving company's van had misadjusted brakes and the pad caught fire somewhere in Idaho. Up until then, I'd come down on the side of yes, I'd be upset at losing everything. But after having gone through it, I've found that for the most part, it is just stuff...and it's actually fairly fun, in a perverse way, to start over and have the knowledge you've built up acquiring everything, and getting what you really want the second time around. The only exception to that are the heirlooms and one-of-a-kinds...those are tough. Everything else though, game on!

I have only 1 str8 that is not up for sale. My dad gave me my gradpa's razor after he had died. Couldn't sell or ever replace it if I lost it. other than that all can be replaced.

I have four special razors that were sent to me for testing by Thiers-Issard. I love 'em and I'll never part with 'em. As regards the other 90 to 100 straight razors floating around this house, well, you never know.