Thread: Market Forces and Razor Prices

I was replying this morning to a PM a dear friend of mine sent me regarding the straight razor prices on e-bay and how high they were getting.

I stated that we are merely witnessing free market economic forces - in this case simple supply and demand - playing out in a very short amount of time. We have a scarcity of a commodity and what is becoming a high demand for all things vintage straight razor related.

So many of us, including me, are kind of Johnny-Come-Lately to the world of straight razor shaving. There were many collectors taking advantage of $20 and $30 Dubl Duck and Filarmonica prices over the years and have many good ones in their collection. So what? That is great for them. They bought when nobody else wanted - that is extremely fair and should be the way it is. So those that complain need to relax a bit.

But we want to see this lost art flourish do we not? That means newcomers into the pool of buying razors. We talk up the of vintage steel and the newcomers want what is left of the supply - so now they have to pay free market prices dictated by supply and demand. And, because that is all that is left, they are willing to pay $300 for a Filarmonica DT13. People that only paid $30 would say "I would never pay that much". But what else is the newcomer to do? Their are 500 people who want one and only one available - and they have the $300 because they did not acquire 1,300 razors yet. So they buy and the price continues to rise.

Now, there are two thoughts I have. First, we would like to see companies like Dovo and Boker be able to continue to give us good value for our money and maybe even see some of the dead companies resurrect. I know I would. Second, a new $100 Dovo Special will be vintage in 25 years. And it's a damn good razor. So I continue to encourage beginners to go after the new ones as well.

The prices are what they are on vintage steel and it is as a result of what we want - more users to help existing companies stay in business and bring new ones into the market. JMHO.

Footnote - this exludes Krieger and Zeepk.

PS - My friend was not complaining - just commenting.