Thread: Heljestrands out of control

Originally Posted by BakerandBadger

Payment was received shortly after the listing ended and it was honed yesterday afternoon.... Wonder who sold it

Congratulation are in order then, who would have thought.

Bob

Originally Posted by BobH

Congratulation are in order then, who would have thought.

Bob

Thanks!
They are as good a shaver as they look so I'm not entirely surprised. If an MK32 can hit 800 then the 33 should do.

Originally Posted by BakerandBadger

Thanks!
They are as good a shaver as they look so I'm not entirely surprised. If an MK32 can hit 800 then the 33 should do.

Would pay 800 for a 134 all day,but a 33??, great hit.

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

Would pay 800 for a 134 all day,but a 33??, great hit.

It's not just about the size though - the 33 is elegant whereas the 134 looks like a cleaver it's like comparing Mohammed Ali and Mike Tyson.

So, you won't let this get burried huh, how do you expect the prices to go down then?

I'd say that the heljestrands mk3x have always been one of the most aesthetically appealing razors to me, from day 1 when I considered shaving with straight razors. And given how well they shave I can guarantee that there's going to be one in my top 3 razors if I ever can pick top 3.

The sizes though are a bit approximate. mk31 is essentially a 5/8 razor and can vary from 5/8 to a little over 11/16 but the weight and handling is that of a 5/8 razor. My favorite size lucky for me is 6/8 and all of my mk32s and some mk33s fall in there. I mean they can be a bit wider than 6/8, may be even approach 7/8 but handle like a 6/8 razor. I have some unnumbered with almost the mk32 design but no numbers and interesting embellishments like fancier jimps spines and points.
I've got few big boys too but they're around just for the variety, I'd say they get shaved once every 2-3 years. I don't remember common numbers on them, if any.

But lovely razors, and if you like that type of elegance in the lines, you should get one.

Seems like thier is a finite Number of really Nice,minty 32s/33s in the world,esp. ivory scaled razors,thus the huge sums they garner.
A year ago they sold for less than half of what some bring today (I know as I sold several last year
I have been looking for years everywhere for a 134,(8/8+) has never been one on the bay.
I know where one is,cannot be had for any amount of money.

Originally Posted by Badgister

The question is, should I actually shave with this thing?

I know the feeling. I have a couple of 7 day sets that have never touched water or skin. OTOH, I ask myself if I am a curator for a museum or an end user of straight razors ? Generally if I can't shave with a razor, smoke a beautiful tobacco pipe, I'm not interested. As noted above, there are exceptions.

Beautiful piece. Are those scales metal with the cloisonné inlays ? If so, how is the balance ? IME metal scales tend to be a bit heavy.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

I know the feeling. I have a couple of 7 day sets that have never touched water or skin. OTOH, I ask myself if I am a curator for a museum or an end user of straight razors ? Generally if I can't shave with a razor, smoke a beautiful tobacco pipe, I'm not interested. As noted above, there are exceptions.

Beautiful piece. Are those scales metal with the cloisonné inlays ? If so, how is the balance ? IME metal scales tend to be a bit heavy.

I share your thoughts Jimmy. I am a user first and foremost. So if I don't have it in me to use a razor because it is too valuable and should be kept "unused" then I would rather sell it.

I had two S. Bang pipes that were just sitting on my pipe rack, one lightly smoked, the other unsmoked. I sold them because I didn't like the idea of burning tobacco in a pipe that costs more than a flight to europe.

I shaved with my fancy heljestrand, and it is a great shaver. Yes the scales are heavier than what I am typically used too but I quite like it, the balance is nice when shaving, stropping maybe not so much, but still very manageable.

The scales seem to have silver and gold work with cloisonné inlays and the presentation in the nice leather box is just marvellous.