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.

There are several good reasons to buying used razors, you are right about that.
I have a few oldies but goodies, and i like 'em all.

However there are good reasons for buying new razors as well.

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.

And believe me when I say this, there are old blades out there who makes new ones look like the bargain of a lifetime
That is, There are old, sought after blades, that costs several times that of a new Dovo or TI.

And then there is the Customs...

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.

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.