Thread: Don't be wasteful–buy used

Now that I'm into this thing neck–deep, I'm wondering:

Why would anyone buy a brand new razor, of any brand? Vintage and restored razors are so much more interesting, have so much more character, history, are so much cheaper (most of the time) and in most cases, just as good. Why drop $100+ for a brand new Solingen or otherwise(you know the brand/s)?

I'm with you, specialy when you consider that most razors from the classifieds come shave ready. If you baught used you would have to drop another $20 to get it shaved ready.

New razors have far less variables and are readily available. Not all razors can be found as vintage. Plus, new is new.

I like new and vintage, and there are pros and cons to each.

Probably because the vast majority of vintage razors take a lot of work to get to being "just as good or better." I can tell you as a fact that the prices you see in the classifieds are artificially low-- held down by charity and the love of the sport-- and that the guys who take old razors and make them useable don't make even close to minimum wage on their efforts.

In order for there to be enough to go around, there needs to be a new-stock market to fuel the vintage restoration market, which rides on the margins of the retail business.

I like both, but I have way more vintage.
They both have their place in my collection

Despite the logic which says vintage is the way to go there is just something about getting a brand new blade.

Everyday, I see dozens of newly posted, vintage razors on ebay, razoremporium.com, etc. Sooo many fully or partially restored, or even new-old stock that are perfectly usable, with just some minor imperfections(that add to their character i suppose) for $50 or less. Sure, there are less variables with new blades, if you want to pay double. If you do a minimum of research it shouldnt be hard to find a shave ready, old razor.

Of course it's nice to see a handful of companies carrying on the old tradition of straight razor manufacture, but if you're looking for value, you can't beat vintage and restored.

Originally Posted by daflorc

Everyday, I see dozens of newly posted, vintage razors on ebay, razoremporium.com, etc. Sooo many fully or partially restored, or even new-old stock that are perfectly usable, with just some minor imperfections(that add to their character i suppose) for $50 or less. Sure, there are less variables with new blades, if you want to pay double. If you do a minimum of research it shouldnt be hard to find a shave ready, old razor.

Of course it's nice to see a handful of companies carrying on the old tradition of straight razor manufacture, but if you're looking for value, you can't beat vintage and restored.

I see all those same razors for $50 or less, and let me tell you... most of them are junk. The vintage razor market is really, truly a minefield.

Of course, most of them are complete garbage. But there are a great deal that are perfectly good razors. You gotta have a good eye. Personally I don't see how you can beat shaving with a 100 year old razor in good shape that you got for $35 (1913-1917 Theo A. Kochs Co. bone handled "Marcella") and others.

I've also bought used from antique store for up to $20 that are in my "keep trying to hone" box, they looked perfect in the store, but once on the stones you find warps or other issues. Ebay could be even worse as you can't really see every thing in the pictures. I would trust the classified here, to really mean shave ready.

That being said the hunt for cool old razors and stones is almost my favorite pastime.