Thread: Uh Oh - What did he do?

So this weekend, I had my younger brother stay up at my place. As usual, he sees me reading the SRP forums and I tell him how manly people are who shave with a straight.

This morning, he sends me an email showing an eBay purchase he made:

STRAIGHT RAZOR WITH RAZOR SHAPING STROP PACKAGE, NEW | eBay

Now, judging by the low price, lack of close up pictures, and absolutely no mention of a manufacturer, I have ZERO hopes that this razor is any good. Perhaps a crappy Pakistani model or something.

My question is, do any of you guys know (from that ebay description) what razor it could be?

I told my brother, "Dude, as soon as you get it, DO NOT attempt to shave with it!" I want him to show it to me first so that I can see how sharp/dull it is, and perhaps take a crack at honing it for the first time. But since the price is so low and the seller doesn't provide much info, I am really doubtful that this is going to be anything but a pile of garbage.

I would say your lack of hope is warranted!

That's a Selective brand strop on top in the auction photo. This ensemble looks very similar to Selective-brand kits sold on eBay. I am not sure how manly that brand is, but I know it is not highly regarded for usability. Good luck

Gentlemen:

All the quality considerations aside, when I see a razor and strop set for $14.25, the little guy in the back of my neck starts doing the soft-shoe.

Regards,

Obie

I would say the chances of this being a display piece are high. The seller made sure to not mention the manufacturer of the brand new strop/straight.

Ok, so I am not alone here with my suspicions. That tells me that I'm actually on the road to becoming a good razor aficionado!

I wrote to the seller simply asking if he could provide more information about the razor's origin (USA, Germany, Pakistan, etc). So far, no response. Surprise surprise!

What I may do is pick up something from Larry at Whipped Dog and gift it to him as a starter razor. It sucks to see someone who genuinely WANTS to learn this art of straight razor shaving, only to lose money on crap due to lack of knowledge.

If they don't mention the brand, then something is wrong. You can ask the seller what brand it is, but if it is new, and only $14.25, I would'nt expect much.

Personally, I would pass on it and bid on a nice Wade and Butcher, Dovo or Genco.

Read the feedback on the seller . He has a neg. feedback on 4-01-11 , and the buyer says the strop and razor are made in Pakistan . You are not going to get a new razor , and strop for $14.25 , that's going to be worth a damn . Get your bro a real , shave ready razor .

Congrats on peaking your brothers interest enough that he is now ready to spend some money on the idea. No reason for him to have a clue what's good, nice you can guide him.

Your idea of getting him a good honed razor is perfect. If he enjoys it, you've created a bond of future conversations. Also likely he would return the favor and trade you supplies later.

If he doesn't dig it, he'll probably give the razor back to you.

You win either way.

That strop looks identical to one that a guy had at the meetup yesterday. The canvas side is starched so hard that it wont flex when suspended horizontally.