Thread: Bismarcks on eBay

Been looking about for something inexpensive to learn to hone with and I've just seen these on eBay:

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item...obalID=EBAY-GB

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item...obalID=EBAY-GB

One's ending in a few hours but what are your opinions? Are they worth my money, which is better of the two and how much should I expect to pay?

We don't do valuations here, but I will say that Bismarks are good razors. I have one, and it's one of my favorite razors.

Fair play, I'm not too worried about value but I'm only going to go for one of them and I can't work out which to bid for.

I'm tempted by the one which ends today but I've read (here) that the ones marked 'registered' are better (ie the other listing)...?

Buy them both

Bidding on the registered one...

The second one is nice. These are one of the best shaving vintage razors out there.

Have fun.

Bismarks (pre Dovo) are fine vintage razors. As for practice razors to learn honing, I would try to find a more common razor. Genco's are everywhere, have fine steel, and wont break the bank when you find one. The vintage Bismarks are getting harder to find in nice shape, and just my openion, should be regulated to shave with and enjoyed without being subjected to "practice". By all means buy them, but have them pro honed and save them for shaving. When your honing skill's are better, then have at them yourself.
By the way, Taylors 1000 is a class outfit, and you can buy without worry. I don't know about "private sales" on the bay.
Just my personal openion.
Very Best and Happy Shaving, John

Yeah...I'm trying to keep things relatively inexpensive and not break the bank but, as you say, it could well be a real shame to ruin something seemingly so well-regarded but by honing first time on it, regardless of how much it may or may not cost me.

I don't really want to spend out on another one at the moment if I can avoid it, but I'll certainly keep it in mind.

I won it, by the way - £37. It arrived the other day and looks great. It's waiting to be honed and then it's good to go!