Thread: Dubl Duck $450, seriously?

Originally Posted by Magpie

In the near future, I think 10Pups will be posting a very fine looking SatinWedge.

I have only had the chance to shave with ONE custom razor, and I will not say it was "better" than a DD, it certainly was "different" from it. Like so many things, its often a feeling that can not be put into words.
And I agree with a previous post, how many makers today produce in extra hollow singing style razors? with a thickness of only a few thousands of an inch?

less than a few thou I think,I think even the custom makers would be hard pressed to create an 8/8 extreame full bellied hollow.

As a famous cowboy once said (sort of) "Buy Razors, they aint making it anymore"

Originally Posted by dudness

You've seen them. Okay.
have you shaved with them ?

No, I have not. And as I don't have a local resource that allows me to try customs, I doubt I will in the near future, as the price prohibits buy and try. Also, as each razor is made to different specifics, geometry and each maker has their own preferred way of treating and working steel, I would need to try very many to be able to reach any sort of conclusion that would be remotely representative. Which is less of an issue with 'mass produced' razors.

Also enjoying a shave is dependent on other factors besides the edge of a razor; olfactory plays a part, visuals play a part, even your mood plays a part. And if I find a razor truly ugly ('aesthetically unsatisfactory'), it will influence my perception of the shave in general as well as the result, no matter how smooth and close.

And I don't see how any razor's shave could surpass the shave (with all it's different facets) I get with my Heljestrand MK33. Or my resurrected Geneva Cutlery Corp. #23. For illustration, it cost me $20 shipped to Finland from the US, although it did need a lot of work to make it look good, which it now does for that matter. Or my 7/8 Grah & Plümacher #111, which is priceless, as I got it in a trade with a friend. Who didn't pay more than $100 for it. I think you get the point, right?

It's all so very, very subjective.

Ducks aside, playing more than the cost of a tank of gas for any razor on EBay worries me. Personally I'd rather buy vintage razors from members here than eBay. You don't get the line:" I'm just helping an elderly neighbor out with her husband estate.' Or I don't know anything about razors so' just look at the pictures'!
Here you have people that will you a true description and may have even shaved, on a regular bases, with the razor for sale. That's worth a lot to me.

Originally Posted by Johnus

Ducks aside, playing more than the cost of a tank of gas for any razor on EBay worries me. Personally I'd rather buy vintage razors from members here than eBay. You don't get the line:" I'm just helping an elderly neighbor out with her husband estate.' Or I don't know anything about razors so' just look at the pictures'!
Here you have people that will you a true description and may have even shaved, on a regular bases, with the razor for sale. That's worth a lot to me.

While I tend to agree with you there are a few things that you can look for on eBay to give yourself a fighting chance. First, what else is the guy selling. If he has one razor intermixed with a lot of broken china and grandfather clocks, you can assume he's telling you the truth when he says he doesn't know anything about razors. Buyer beware. On the other hand, if he's there week after week selling razors and can actually answer some questions about them, you may have a shot. Then if you've bought from him before, you know what you can expect. There's risk involved that's for sure. But buying from our members doesn't eliminate that risk either. I've had an experience with a FORMER member here that went sour too. The good news is that you don't get away with it twice here.

As one who has actually shaved with a wide selection of custom razors, I can say without much doubt that the shave isn't any better per se.
In fact, a few of them are less capable of shaving than many no-name vintage razors.
The majority of the ones I have used (and own) do stand the comparison just fine though.

If the reason for buying a custom is the shave alone, then I would not advice anyone to get one.
The reasons I have bought quite a few are:

Enjoyment of a hand crafted product, a one-off.
The subjectively conception of beauty, and the potentially exclusive/rare material selection.
The ability to have one made to spec's.
A way to support a "lost-art" and the artisans who actually care about this hobby.
Hobby
Collectability

Now, I also enjoy the many vintage and new production razors I have.
It is, to me, not a question of one or the other, it is about enjoying all varieties out there.

As to the question about paying $450 for a vintage razor in good nick, I see absolutely no problems with that.
If you want it, and you have the means, why the heck not?

Originally Posted by Pithor

And I don't see how any razor's shave could surpass the shave (with all it's different facets) I get with my Heljestrand MK33. Or my resurrected Geneva Cutlery Corp. #23. For illustration, it cost me $20 shipped to Finland from the US, although it did need a lot of work to make it look good, which it now does for that matter. Or my 7/8 Grah & Plümacher #111, which is priceless, as I got it in a trade with a friend. Who didn't pay more than $100 for it. I think you get the point, right?
It's all so very, very subjective.

I don't own a $450 Dubl Buck nor a $450 custom razor, I'm too poor, and will ever be too poor to own this kind of razor... So hypothetically, I tried with BobH to discuss and compare the two. Simple as that.

Hi - out there - Still a greenhorn here, but I do dare to give my opinion on the matter.
Seriously! YES, you bet! - I think so!
Why? - I just love DD's & my DD has (in spite of my poor shaving skills) given me the closest str8 shave so far.
What DD do I have? - A Satinedge, bought on eBay - overhauled by Neil Miller - and I love the looks of it!


Satinedge 4/8 full hollow - my first DD

When I had my first shave with it, I was scared out of my whits, it was sharp as ...., it was noisy like a crazy duck!
And I nicked myself, - then I did put it away, and got comfortable shaves wit my overhauled Mappin & Webb Wedge.
Quiet, awesomely sharp and smooth, Neil Miller also did the overhauling on that one, perfect job on both.

At a point I did retry the DD, and now it is my favorite, in spite it is a full hollow grind, - and noisy.
I prefer to shave with wedges, somehow they make me feel more comfortable.
I have therefore been hunting for a German wedge type razor, and did find 2 NOS DD razors, in a wedge grind.
And I want them to be - mine, mine and all mine! I want to shave with them! No matter the cost!
Just ordered them, here they are! - Stole the pics. from my supplier.
I think they are beauties, and I can't wait to get them, feel them, and try them out.


Wonderedge 4/8 wedge - NOS unused, storage find - I love the transparent scales.


Goldedge 4/8 wedge - NOS unused, storage find - I really like the ducks inlay.

In my opinion they are worth every single cent! - and did cost ... (not as much as the thread amount.)
Would I pay 450$ for the right NOS DD? - YES I WOULD, as I also would fore the right W&B etc.
Would I by an item like that on eBay? - Properly not.
I trust my supplier, for some he might be expensive, but IMHO his razors are reasonably priced.
He has some nice, nice, - nice goods for sale. -

I know I'm sick! - RAD - 50+ within 2 years. - But having a blast!

Something strange about those two ducks. What does the other side of the neck say? Goldedges had gold wash on them. That's why they were called Goldedge and those scales look strange for that model. Also, a wedge Wonderedge? That's really strange.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Something strange about those two ducks. What does the other side of the neck say? Goldedges had gold wash on them. That's why they were called Goldedge and those scales look strange for that model. Also, a wedge Wonderedge? That's really strange.

I was looking at the Revisor thread in the vendor's corner forum. In this weeks updates of vintage NOS, Thomas has one exactly like that goldedge. I'm guessing these are blanks left at the Revisor factory many moons ago. Maybe they made Ducks, Dorkos, others back in the day. They sure come up with a lot of good old stuff.