Thread: blade condition

i am interested in a King straight razor made in indiana, pa that i found on ebay. it is narrowed at the end from sharpening(i assume). how much if any does this effect it's value?

I'm looking at it on eBay and it's got just horrible hone wear. I wouldn't have it if I got it for free.

When you say value you mean from a shaving stand point or monetary? We don't get into the monetary aspect of it here. For shaving value the condition of the blade will determine that as will your ability to clean it up and hone it. As long as it doesn't get beyond a certain point re: corrosion and over all wear many razors that at first glance don't look too good can be brought back from the dead in the hands of the right person.

One should note, however, that "in the hands of the right person" tends to directly correlate price of corrective services with condition and wear. A cheap razor pulled off the bay can end up being far more costly after you pay to have someone who knows what they're doing go through all the work of fixing it. Better deals can be had elsewhere. JMHO

i know that prices are not discussed often on the forum. is it out of line to ask about value when considering a purchase? im not talking dollar amounts here. just asking about VALUE from a collectors standpoint. i dont shave with all 25 of my razors. im a barber and a beginner collector and i could use some guidence before i go buying things that i dont know about. but every time i ask for help in that department someone hits me with a warning about NOT talking money.

Originally Posted by wyobarbershop

i know that prices are not discussed often on the forum. is it out of line to ask about value when considering a purchase? im not talking dollar amounts here. just asking about VALUE from a collectors standpoint. i dont shave with all 25 of my razors. im a barber and a beginner collector and i could use some guidence before i go buying things that i dont know about. but every time i ask for help in that department someone hits me with a warning about NOT talking money.

We strongly discourage valuation of any type in the open forum. I can say that to most people collecting anything, the more it deviates from original condition the less attractive it may be to collectors. As always there will be exceptions to the rule. Check ebay's completed items using search filters to see how buyers currently place value on items and look for a pattern in the selling price.

Sticky situation, That! Lots of perspective new members have been discouraged immediately by being admonished (sometimes quite harshly) for asking about value. Value is in the eye of the perspective buyer,IMO. I do think if one was to PM some friendly vendors here, some advise could be offered in that regard.

Razors are no different from anything else. How would you like to own a perfectly original 1965 Sting Ray with the 427/425 engine, M22 transmission and side pipes? Now what would you say if the engine had been swapped out for a generic 350 of recent origin?

Originally Posted by ace

Razors are no different from anything else. How would you like to own a perfectly original 1965 Sting Ray with the 427/425 engine, M22 transmission and side pipes? Now what would you say if the engine had been swapped out for a generic 350 of recent origin?

I would say "cool! 1/2 price! Stuff a new 502 in!"

Originally Posted by wyobarbershop

i know that prices are not discussed often on the forum. is it out of line to ask about value when considering a purchase? im not talking dollar amounts here. just asking about VALUE from a collectors standpoint. i dont shave with all 25 of my razors. im a barber and a beginner collector and i could use some guidence before i go buying things that i dont know about. but every time i ask for help in that department someone hits me with a warning about NOT talking money.

I'd say this is the one subject folks around here are real ticklish about. BUT, when you're talking about value in a non-monetary sense; then you're looking for unique and/or older razors that are in good to great shape. It doesn't really matter what brand or grind a razor is if it's particularly interesting from an aesthetic point of view.

I believe the big stick that gets wielded around when it comes to monetary values is so hefty because of the potential for abuse. Folks who are more interested in turning a buck than the art of a good shave would quickly devolve this forum into a "blue book" of razors. Most the folks around here love their razors, whatever they paid for them, and are more focused on enhancing the shave and learning/teaching the tricks of great straight shaves. Becoming a resource for razor scroungers to drive up market prices at their expense (in more ways than one) is not something they're interested in.

If you're shopping used/vintage razors I can offer some advice. 1) The classifieds here are fair to low prices for what you're buying, always from members here, and usually ready to shave.(meaning no additional costs on your end beyond purchasing and maintaining) 2) The vendors that advertise here are fair priced, market value, and sometimes come ready to shave. (Though some vendors who are members here, ie Eric, Larry, etc. sell specifically at low prices) 3) If you're cruising e-bay you're swimming with sharks, dangerous but doable. You're also getting the most up to date market value of a given razor as is possible. Watch, study, learn, and ask me before you bid. I don't need you bidding against me!