Appraisals

Hi everyone,
First off I want to say I'm not asking for any valuations- don't wanna get anybody in a knot from the start! What my question is is has anyone ever heard of someone getting their collection appraised? I am NOT looking to get rid of anything but I'd like to know for my own point of view what my set might be worth as I have a lot of nice pieces and I just bought a few nicer pieces and I'm just wondering what they might be worth later on down the road if I should drop dead and my daughters or my wife get them? Would an auction house be a good place to look for somebody? Has anyone ever heard of this being done before? I mean I know what I paid for them but I don't know if I paid too much or too little for them, etc.
Any responses are appreciated!
Thanks,
Tony
PS- sorry for the run on sentences!

Appraisels IMO mean nothing,Esp. with Jewelery,Today the best way to figure value on almost anything is ebay.

I suppose you could get an expert to appraise a straight razor collection. Robert A. Doyle, author of "Straight Razor Collecting" comes to mind. He is a long, long time collector and an antique dealer and auctioneer. IIRC he is in Albany. I usually get an idea from ebay completed listings, watching what people are paying in the classifieds .

He's not a bad idea, as he is pretty legitimate. I have a problem with eBay in that everybody there seems to be an expert. Like everyone says what a piece is worth is what somebody will pay for it, if you want it bad enough you'll pay a high end for it! I guess not really a big deal I'm not looking to get rid of anything anyway, I was really just wondering. Thanks guys!

A few yrs back I sold two very large Exibition razors (like 24 in.long) They are very collectable and spendy.
A fellow by the name of Phillip Krumholz,who actually Brokers Razors and collections gave me a ballpark Valuation just via internet.
Sold both on the bay for about what he said they would garner.

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Originally Posted by pixelfixed

A few yrs back I sold two very large Exibition razors (like 24 in.long) They are very collectable and spendy.
A fellow by the name of Phillip Krumholz,who actually Brokers Razors and collections gave me a ballpark Valuation just via internet.
Sold both on the bay for about what he said they would garner.

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He's another legitimate name in the business, I actually have a book signed by him that he addressed to me personally which I bought when I first started collecting. I guess it would just be interesting to know I mean I know I paid quite a bit of money for all these put together but would I actually make my money back or no, for instance I know that when you buy a diamond, diamonds depreciate in value they don't appreciate. You can often buy used or pre-owned rather engagement rings cheaper than they would actually cost in the store because of this. That's how I bought mine, cheapskate that I was!

If you're worried about their future after your gone, then here is an option.
I photograph every piece of my shaving collection, razors, brushes, hones, etc....
Each piece has it's own file.
If the piece came with a history, it is documented in the file.
The current price that it would sell at today, lower end (for a minimum bid) is listed.
All is kept in a location accessible to my son, who has instructions on it's future.
This also helps in case of fire or theft.

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Originally Posted by Hirlau

If you're worried about their future after your gone, then here is an option.
I photograph every piece of my shaving collection, razors, brushes, hones, etc....
Each piece has it's own file.
If the piece came with a history, it is documented in the file.
The current price that it would sell at today, lower end (for a minimum bid) is listed.
All is kept in a location accessible to my son, who has instructions on it's future.
This also helps in case of fire or theft.

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wow that's really a great idea I never thought about something like that!

It's a good idea if you jump on it at the beginning like I did; but it's going to be a PITA if you have several hundred razors like some guys do. :shrug:

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Originally Posted by Hirlau

It's a good idea if you jump on it at the beginning like I did; but it's going to be a PITA if you have several hundred razors like some guys do. :shrug:

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Nope, I have around 50 so I should get a jump on it now!

Interestingly appraisal is a sticky subject. The only value that counts is in the eye of the buyer. I recently had this conversation with an antique vendor about the price of a razor. They were asking $80 for a nice Boker, in decent condition, nothing special. I told him it depends on the buyer, for me it was too much, I looked at it and saw 2-3 hours in buffing, a rescaling, repining, some edge repair and honing, 4-5 hours of work.

Now if you were looking for a good solid shaver, where you would just clean it up and hone, investing 50 to 75 dollars for a total cost of $165 and compared to a new purchase, Dovo or TI at around 200 +, it is a good value, and maybe a better shaver.

Appraisal is completely subjective to the buyer. Add to that what it is worth today, to what the unknown value will be tomorrow are two completely different things. So appraising today has no real bearing on the value of tomorrow. It is just someone else’s opinion.

The other reality is, chances are your kids could really care less about your collection and will sell it off or part it out for a few bucks, we hope… or just toss it out. I have bought complete collections for pennies on the dollar and cherry picked pristine NOS razor for 10-20 dollars. I once bought a 1929 model A Roadster Pick up, a ten year, frame off restoration project for the previous owner, 10 miles on the rebuilt engine… for Three thousand dollars.

The real value is in the enjoyment your collection brings you. If your children appreciate them, great, don’t obsess about what they are worth… to anyone else.

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Originally Posted by Euclid440

Interestingly appraisal is a sticky subject. The only value that counts is in the eye of the buyer. I recently had this conversation with an antique vendor about the price of a razor. They were asking $80 for a nice Boker, in decent condition, nothing special. I told him it depends on the buyer, for me it was too much, I looked at it and saw 2-3 hours in buffing, a rescaling, repining, some edge repair and honing, 4-5 hours of work.

Now if you were looking for a good solid shaver, where you would just clean it up and hone, investing 50 to 75 dollars for a total cost of $165 and compared to a new purchase, Dovo or TI at around 200 +, it is a good value, and maybe a better shaver.

Appraisal is completely subjective to the buyer. Add to that what it is worth today, to what the unknown value will be tomorrow are two completely different things. So appraising today has no real bearing on the value of tomorrow. It is just someone else’s opinion.

The other reality is, chances are your kids could really care less about your collection and will sell it off or part it out for a few bucks, we hope… or just toss it out. I have bought complete collections for pennies on the dollar and cherry picked pristine NOS razor for 10-20 dollars. I once bought a 1929 model A Roadster Pick up, a ten year, frame off restoration project for the previous owner, 10 miles on the rebuilt engine… for Three thousand dollars.

The real value is in the enjoyment your collection brings you. If your children appreciate them, great, don’t obsess about what they are worth… to anyone else.

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You're really right, especially since I have daughters who will probably never use one of them! And I am NOT looking to get rid of any of them so I guess this post is really for nothing but it would just be interesting to me to see if I actually paid the right price for certain objects. I am just going to keep collecting and whatever happens to them happens to them when I'm dead I won't know the difference anyway!

Mine are being creamated with me,Do not want anyone else to use them:)

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Originally Posted by Euclid440

Interestingly appraisal is a sticky subject. The only value that counts is in the eye of the buyer. I recently had this conversation with an antique vendor about the price of a razor. They were asking $80 for a nice Boker, in decent condition, nothing special. I told him it depends on the buyer, for me it was too much, I looked at it and saw 2-3 hours in buffing, a rescaling, repining, some edge repair and honing, 4-5 hours of work.

Now if you were looking for a good solid shaver, where you would just clean it up and hone, investing 50 to 75 dollars for a total cost of $165 and compared to a new purchase, Dovo or TI at around 200 +, it is a good value, and maybe a better shaver.

Appraisal is completely subjective to the buyer. Add to that what it is worth today, to what the unknown value will be tomorrow are two completely different things. So appraising today has no real bearing on the value of tomorrow. It is just someone else’s opinion.

The other reality is, chances are your kids could really care less about your collection and will sell it off or part it out for a few bucks, we hope… or just toss it out. I have bought complete collections for pennies on the dollar and cherry picked pristine NOS razor for 10-20 dollars. I once bought a 1929 model A Roadster Pick up, a ten year, frame off restoration project for the previous owner, 10 miles on the rebuilt engine… for Three thousand dollars.

The real value is in the enjoyment your collection brings you. If your children appreciate them, great, don’t obsess about what they are worth… to anyone else.

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A lot of what you said could possibly happen to someone if they pass & leave their collection, but the idea of managing the collection will also work out for the heirs to whom the collection is left. I think that is what the OP is trying to get across.
I hope my scenario is not as negative as the situation you just spelled out. An $80.00 Boker in decent condition may be to much for you, but I can guarantee that someone will buy it at $80.00, especially 20 years from now,,,and that's the point here, as I see it.

"Appraisal is completely subjective to the buyer. Add to that what it is worth today, to what the unknown value will be tomorrow are two completely different things. So appraising today has no real bearing on the value of tomorrow. It is just someone else’s opinion."

This I don't agree with, sorry, just my feelings.

Agree with what John says 100% I think the reality of buying razors in todays market is: your never going to re-sell and make a profit as a collector.
Just hope to get what you paid,document all the numbers and hope for the best.

Usually appraisals are done for insurance purposes and you would need to find an "expert" and they charge either by the piece or over all value as a percentage.

If you just want a figure for your own purposes Eboy is the place. Over time though the prices change, sometimes dramatically so you have to re do it every few years.

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Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Usually appraisals are done for insurance purposes and you would need to find an "expert" and they charge either by the piece or over all value as a percentage.

If you just want a figure for your own purposes Eboy is the place. Over time though the prices change, sometimes dramatically so you have to re do it every few years.

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Thanks! I figured the best, and cheapest way to go, is Ebay. Like Hirlau said I'm going to just list and categorize them, then put an Ebay number next to it and redo it every now and then. I'm sure those two gentleman Doyle and Krumholz charge big bucks for appraisals and it's really not worth it when im just satisfying my curiousity!

As a former antiques dealer I would strongly advise against having an antiques dealer value your collection. Doyle, Krumholz or some other specialist would be the best choice. In the antiques world there are hundreds of categories and subcategories of items and most dealers focus on a few of those channels that interest them (furniture, jewelry, art, glass, etc.) and have only a general knowledge of the remainder of the field learned from repeated exposure to thousands of items that have come across their field of vision. But, they can not immediately tell you the exact value of a Kentucky rifle, civil war documents, tintype photos, or straight razors. They will do exactly what you can do on your own. They will crack open reference books, look up previous auction records, call another dealer in the hopes that they may know the difference between a Gold Bug and a Goldedge, or look on the internet. A dealer knows what they have paid for a razor and will add a considerable markup based on one of the former sources and hope that someone will pay their asking price. But, they are basically guessing at a price. That is why you should never pay full price for a razor in an antique store. Politely ask if that is their best price and they will generally come down 10-20%. If that is still more than you want to pay, make them an offer with a smile. Never act arrogant, just mildly interested. If your offer is refused, smile and thank them for their time. Come back in a week or so and ask if they're sure they wouldn't sell it at your price. This business is all about turnover and the dealer may realize that if they don't sell it to you it might sit in that case for a long time. Just have patience and maintain a friendly attitude. It could work wonders. As I used to tell my wife, "I'd rather make three nickles than one dime." In other words it's better to make three small sales than wait around for one large sale.

Regards - Walt

“Appraisal is completely subjective to the buyer. Add to that what it is worth today, to what the unknown value will be tomorrow are two completely different things. So appraising today has no real bearing on the value of tomorrow. It is just someone else’s opinion."

“This I don't agree with, sorry, just my feelings.”

I would wager just about every mortgage lender that made a loan in the early to mid-2000’s, based upon an “appraisal value”, would disagree with you. An appraisal, if at all accurate, is only valid on the day it is made. Any of a number of things can alter the “opinion” of value, the very next day.

Personally, I do not buy razors as an investment, I buy to use and enjoy them.

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Originally Posted by Hirlau

If you're worried about their future after your gone, then here is an option.
I photograph every piece of my shaving collection, razors, brushes, hones, etc....
Each piece has it's own file.
If the piece came with a history, it is documented in the file.
The current price that it would sell at today, lower end (for a minimum bid) is listed.
All is kept in a location accessible to my son, who has instructions on it's future.
This also helps in case of fire or theft.

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I too do the same with my collection. I developed a specific software to help me keep track of my razors, including current values, pictures, history of branding, technical characteristics and so on.
I too wonder about the value of my collection even though I have no intention to sell any single piece. No way! :)
But it is however nice to have an idea of what you are having in your hand and use to shave your face. :)

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Originally Posted by Euclid440

“Appraisal is completely subjective to the buyer. Add to that what it is worth today, to what the unknown value will be tomorrow are two completely different things. So appraising today has no real bearing on the value of tomorrow. It is just someone else’s opinion."

“This I don't agree with, sorry, just my feelings.”

I would wager just about every mortgage lender that made a loan in the early to mid-2000’s, based upon an “appraisal value”, would disagree with you. An appraisal, if at all accurate, is only valid on the day it is made. Any of a number of things can alter the “opinion” of value, the very next day.

Personally, I do not buy razors as an investment, I buy to use and enjoy them.

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I don't buy razors as an investment either.
I also think that you missed the whole point of the OP.

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Originally Posted by pixelfixed

Appraisels IMO mean nothing,Esp. with Jewelery,Today the best way to figure value on almost anything is ebay.

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I agree.

One of the limitations of online shopping is that you can't tell with absolute certainty that there isn't something wrong with it based on photos alone. I think some people at antique stores or ebay simply aren't knowledgeable about the things they sell. One dealer told me that he sells items based on what he pays for it, which means that in reality some deals are great and some are (unintentional) rip-offs.

I've had a recent experience with a straight razor that was twisted. Why was my honing job better on the toe side of the razor than on the heel side? Why did it take five passes to accomplish the kind of shave I can usually get with three? I read this (Blade Centering - Straight Razor Place Wiki) then sent if off for a second opinion because I had never heard about anything like this before.

The prices at the Classified section here are fair. I think the odds are greater that they are sold by people who know razors and more or less just try to get what they put into it, or minimize their losses if there is nothing wrong with it and they just prefer other razors. Selling for profit or using the Classified section as a personal storefront is highly discouraged. This is where I have gotten the majority of my razors.

There was a book that went out of print around 2007 that attempted to identify razors and provide guidelines for determining value, but it was confusing and didn't really seem to be more accurate than a determination an experienced member could make here. It had a base price, plus add on values depending on the condition and the bells and whistles it may have.

This is the whole reason we have the "no appraisal" policy. It can't be done. Things with no fixed market value are worth whatever one individual will pay. But who's to decide that? Who counts as an expert? How would one make any appraisal hold up in court/claims/etc. We, as people in the niche, may say "Individual X is qualified to appraise straight razors," but that wouldn't hold up either.

If you want to know out of curiosity, look around at what similar stuff has sold for. If you want to know to sell, ebay it. If you want to know for legal purposes, you'd have to talk to someone who is qualified in that area.

I would just like to restate that I am NOT looking for any appraisals or valuations. It is just becoming a curiosity of mine has my razor collection grows!... I thank everybody for their responses and respect everybody's opinion on here!
Regards and have a great holiday weekend for those of us in the US,
Tony

Considering the size of some collections, keeping track of the values of your items would make good sense if nothing else from an insurance point of view, unless you don't want to be able to replace the lost items due to under insurance, even assuming an average price of $100 that would be $10,000 per hundred razors, plus all the other good stuff, which in some cases would probably be at least another $1,000.