Thread: Over priced?

I had the day off yesterday so I decided to visit some local antique shops. I came across two B.B wells 6/8 straight razors. The two razors came in a wooden box, which wasn't your average razor coffin. Over all, the razors and the wooden box are in good (not great!) shape. The antique shop was asking $295. I know that B.B Wells is a Sheffield steel and they were in operation from 1875 to 1900. the price they are asking seems ridiculous, what do you think?

* here is a picture of a similar box and razor that I found off the internet.

Home of Taylors1000 Straight Razor resources site

WOW i have no idea about that razor but there is no way i would pay $295 for a razor.. well, not unless it came with 5 others for free!

It's a nice set, if it's in similar condition, but that price is much more than what I would pay (but that's just me). Maybe the fact that it's part of a set caused them to price it as such. Many of the antique stores I go to seem to have strange pricing schemes for razors too. But generally they seem to think razors belonging to a set (complete or not) makes them much more valuable. Really, they're only as valuable as someone is willing to pay for them, and since the users on this forum, I believe, are a good representation of the straight razor buyers market, the prices on here are what I usually go by (combined with my personal preferences, of course).

If you want them, ask them to go lower. Maybe to a collector they're worth that much, but not to me as a shaver.

I think I will ask them to go lower, a lot lower. They are nice razors but there is no way I would ever pay that much. It really is hit or miss when it comes to antique dealers. I've been in some stores where they want $60 for a razor with half the blade missing. Any one familiar with B.B Wells?

My humble opinion: If they were in near mint or fully restored condition I would say $295 might be a fair price (a bit high but not totally unreasonable if they really 'called' to you). If they're only in so-so condition I'd say pass - you can get a new Friodur or Wacker or even a Filly in quite nice shape for that price.

On a larger note, I totally concur with Zapp ("Brannigan's Law is like Brannigan's love, hard and fast.")...

I know from other posts there are quite a few guys who have found great deals in antique shops. However, I find antique shops to be a really tough, last resort place to buy razors. Reason being (at least in the VA-MD area where the DC metro area population produces a lot of spend happy antique hunters) that antique dealers and buyers factor in pretty much one thing and one thing only into their pricing: age.

Most of us folks here at SRP who look at razors from the perspective of is it usable... can I restore it... does it from a great shaver pedigree... is it a more common or less common brand or style of razor... etc.

Antiquers on the other hand (dealers and collectors/recurring buyers) simply feel if it's old it's valuable. And if it's old and belonged came from (or even near) a famous person, place, or brand it's even more valuable regardless of how functional it may or may not be. (i.e. 'So what if the blade is broken. It's from the 1860's. That's so old the Civil War didn't even start yet. Think of how great it would look if you framed it and displayed it in your furnished basement.')

That said, if the wife and I ever stop at an antique shop I still keep my eyes open - but I always go in knowing the likelihood of finding a decent straight is slim. And the chances that the dealer will sell it for what I consider a reasonable price are even slimmer.

Originally Posted by Malacoda

("Brannigan's Law is like Brannigan's love, hard and fast.")...

Thanks for the shoutout!

Actually, I've gotten quite a few of my razors at antique shops (not that I have a lot, but maybe... 6 of my 12 or so?). It is very hit-and-miss, but I've found a few real gems for what I'd consider to be super cheap. It really all depends on the shop. Mind you I'm not the type who has to have NOS razors. I usually look for ones that will shave very well and can be cleaned up with a little effort.

Plus, the treasure hunt aspect makes it pretty fun. When you come across something nice for a great price, it's like winning the lottery!

They are damn nice but not 295$ nice. I picked up a 7 day set a couple of years ago for 180$ in similar condition. They were made by Gem who is still in the disposable blade business, but they only made straights for about 4 years about a hundred years ago.

Hmm - you just have me eyeing the Notched BB Wells Wedge I have in the 'to do' pile...hmm

Rust, pitting, not shave ready and probably needs more work than the seller realizes.
Make him an offer if you really want them...

JERRY
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I actually buy and sell razors that are restored to antique stores, and they often purchase razors for maybe 40-50 dollars and mark them up to extreme prices. I sold a fair condition wade & butcher to a shop i only paid 4 dollars for it i spent maybe 2 hours cleaning and honing and sold it for 40. I took a lower price because we have a deal with quality/unique razors vs common razors, in this instance i went back a few weeks later and he was charging 200$ for the razor i sold him. If i buy anything from antique stores i usually offer double the price they paid plus maybe 20 bucks