Thread: Don't be wasteful–buy used

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.

Some people here straight shave for pecuniary value, while others see value in the beauty of certain razors and are less concerned about their price.

I fall somewhere between the 2.

Consider that others are ignorant in the sense that new is new. I qualified as ignorant as when starting I felt I needed a new one and didn't like the concept of a 'used' razor. I quickly departed from such an opinion upon understanding that these are neither cartridge nor replaceable blade razors, and can be 'renewed' in terms of their edge and sterilised besides. However I'd still acquired a couple of new one's (well one being New Old Stock) before coming to terms with the fact that many used and older razors are far cheaper and (subjectively) superior to new.

As Holli said, availability is a huge factor, and condition. I reckon hype also. One guy gets a TI silverwing for eg, and publicises it amongst the forums. It is readily available at many online outlets, so people may buy it subject to a review. It is new, consistent and available at the click of a few buttons.

Additionally, Birnando referred to customs. Would they fall under the category of new razors? If you were less concerned about price and desired particular attributes to be incorporated into a razor's design, be it for ergonomic reasons such as size and thumb notches, or simply 'need' to have an overly large monkey tail; you may request a specialist razor smith to commission a custom for you, as such individual specifications can not be found on a vintage blade. If you were to add up all the money spent on new razors, I bet a fair percentage would go on customs.

I had not thought about the warping issue. I would think ebay sellers would be careful to mislabel an auction to avoid getting negative feedback. I personally would never buy a razor that I couldn't see every aspect of in pictures, and that wasn't well-described.

I only buy used american.

Most sellers on ebay know very little about the razors they sell, beyond 'some people pay money for such things'.
I've bought plenty of old razors in need of additional work (sometimes significant) for much more money than I could've bought a new razor, but that's because I find certain things very desirable and unavailable on the current production razors. And of course, I've also bought some junk that's no good for anything, and some for well below what they should cost compared to any new razor.

And there's absolutely nothing wrong with buying a brand new razor, virginity does seem to come at a premium, but there's never been a shortage of people willing to pay the price.

Originally Posted by Birnando

The main reasons I have bought a few new one's in addition to the others, is that I am very happy that the old craft of producing them is being upheld and carried on. Albeit just a rare few makers.
In addition they are good, quality blades.
Just look at blades like Wackers, TI and Revisor, beautiful, well functioning blades.

Birnando brings up an excellent point. His post above perfectly justifies why new razor manufacturing is important. Straight razor shaving is, IMO, increasing in popularity at a very fast rate and is no longer simply a fringe market. It will only continue to grow. If the art of producing new razors is lost what would happen then? It's not a skill that can be learned by reading some internet posts and then doing it yourself. Not only would we lose a connection to our past, but there would be no production to match the increased demand. It would be a tragedy.....

Originally Posted by gugi

... of course, I've also bought some junk that's no good for anything...

I think we all have. When I consider that, maybe I'd rather have one new rather than a handful of junk. Certainly someone that just wants to shave, without the "hassle" of possible restore is excellent candidate for new.

...on the other hand, if they stopped making new razors, all the hundreds of old and restored razors you guys have would balloon in value, and you could sell your dubl ducks and wade & butchers like beanie babies in the late 90's

Originally Posted by daflorc

I personally would never buy a razor that I couldn't see every aspect of in pictures, and that wasn't well-described.

That right there eliminates the vast majority of the used razor market, and an even higher percentage of ebay razors. Another argument for buying new.

Like many here, I value vintage very much, enjoying the lower cost and the history of the razors. That being said, if I was altogether made of money, or even slightly more affluent than I am now, I am sure I would indulge in new.

I have always thought of vintage razors as home cooking, and new razors as expensive restaurant cooking. I want both!