Thread: "Shave Ready" in the Classifieds

I will preface my statement by saying I have a case of early onset curmudgeon. I don’t like change as most have already figured out.

I don’t like it. I think that certification is wrong. I think that it is another step on the way to a nanny state of a forum. We have already been told whose statements carry weight. We do not need to regulate more. The ability to sell our services should not be granted from a higher authority. If you get a less than satisfying product or service you should resolve the problem with the seller. If the problem can not be resolved you should post about it. If you get a product or service that really exceeds your expctatons post about it, that it what a forum is about, DISCUSSION.

Tony Miller, Straight Razor Designs, Vintage Blades, and The Perfect Edge all have a great reputation. Why, because people discussed what the thought of the products from these vendors. The same is true for Traveller, oldblades, cannonfodder, Maximilian, gssixgun, Philadelph and more. They are known quantities because of the discussion about them. Me, I am known as PIA, it is reflected in what I say.

I think we need less hand holding and more public discourse.

Besides that, it is just not practical.

Charlie

I fully agree Charlie. I want to reiterate what I think needs to happen– in less words...

Sellers need to step up and be men about their products. Exactly as Charlie said– if the product is no good, bring it up with the seller. If he won't resolve it, post about it. Once this is done it'll be expected that you'll get a bad 'write-up' if your product isn't all that you describe it as. Problem right now is people seem frightened to post about their bad experiences. If you have already contacted the seller and his service sucks– make sure everyone knows his name.

This is all within reason of course.

Lastly, I think it is impossible to HOLD everyone to a money back guarantee. Who in the world could police that?

Originally Posted by Philadelph

Lastly, I think it is impossible to HOLD everyone to a money back guarantee. Who in the world could police that?

If Paypal is the only way to complete the transaction then the buyer can file a dispute if the seller won't make it right . IME Paypal will rule in the buyer's favor most of the time.

While it's always fun to tell someone his head is wedged, I agree that it tends to be unproductive. I also believe that different faces and whiskers will respond to the same razor/sharpening differently, but a shave ready razor should be able to shave the average face without too much trouble.

A good question, probably unanswerable, is: were razors in the old days more shave ready from the manufacturer than they are today? I ask because I'm guessing that the average buyer of razors back in the old days was no more qualified to hone a razor well than is the average beginner today. (There goes another fine flogging opportunity)

So, how did the generation-gone deal with that perhaps less than shave ready razor way back then? Or did they not have to deal with it because the razors back then were better prepared for that first shave? (Flog the makers?) For example, maybe, I bought a NOS Weltmeister razor from John Crowley's Shaving Shop, took it out of the plastic sheath, wiped the oil off the blade, stropped it, and shaved with it - quite comfortably. The manufacturer stated that it was shave ready and so it was.

Now where was I? Oh yeah, what's shave ready and how is that determined and guaranteed?

Anyone for flogging a newb? It's gotta be easier than figuring out what's an edge and who's got it.

Perhaps a slightly more clear definition...


Previously honed = This blade was honed in the past.... most likely needs a re-touch but does have the bevel set... Translates to: I bought this razor 3 months ago I don't hone and now I wanna buy a new one so I am selling this one....

Sharpened = Bevel set, honed to a sharp edge..... Still needs final polishing and stropping...
Translates to: I am learning how to hone and I get passable shaves from my razors after tweaking them in for awhile

Shave ready = Newly honed, polished and shave tested..... Might need to be stropped to yer face preferances.... Translates to: I hone all my own razors and I believe that my edges are as good as anyone else's, but hey I don't get paid to do this, so they are the way I like them...

True Shave Ready = Don't touch the blade I sent you damn it..... just rinse off the oil and shave... No Translation needed....


This would give the sellers more ways to qualify their razors, if they feel confident enough in their own honing abilities to put "True Shave Ready" on the ad then they should obviously stand behind the sale.....

But it also gives a slightly less confident person the ability to say "Yes I know how to hone "my" razors and I hope you know how to shave" "So with a little stropping I believe you are going to do just fine"

Originally Posted by Bruce

A good question, probably unanswerable, is: were razors in the old days more shave ready from the manufacturer than they are today? I ask because I'm guessing that the average buyer of razors back in the old days was no more qualified to hone a razor well than is the average beginner today. (There goes another fine flogging opportunity)

From buying a few true NOS razors, the answer I would give is YES some were sold with a "hair tested" stamp, which when I get them I try the strop and go, just to see... and yes they shave..

Originally Posted by Bruce

A good question, probably unanswerable, is: were razors in the old days more shave ready from the manufacturer than they are today? I ask because I'm guessing that the average buyer of razors back in the old days was no more qualified to hone a razor well than is the average beginner today. (There goes another fine flogging opportunity)

Here is how two manufacturer of razors dealt with it. Were they flogging newbies ? Inquiring minds want to know ? Here is how another honemiester deals with the potential for an inexperienced shaver messing up a good thing. Finally here is a related thread on the topic.

I would like to retract my earlier comment, as it was a knee-jerk reaction and in hindsight I realize that I was mistaken.

I humbly apologize to anyone who may have felt I impugned their character, as that was not my intent.

Can we still get along?

I think one of the things I have been most impressed with is that the people I have bought things from on this site have all done what they could to follow up and make sure I was happy with what I had. I think in general this is a forum of gentlemen who want to help each other out... that being said I see Ray's point.. a new person without the proper experience could sell something as shave ready when it is not (not trying to deceive anyone). Maybe sellers should do like philadelph and offer a satisfaction guarantee...maybe like a week's grace period where the buyer can have a chance to express satisfaction, or the lack thereof.

Originally Posted by durdensbuddy

I would like to retract my earlier comment, as it was a knee-jerk reaction and in hindsight I realize that I was mistaken.

I humbly apologize to anyone who may have felt I impugned their character, as that was not my intent.

Can we still get along?

I can't speak for anyone other then myself but I didn't take your earlier comment personally. Smooth shaving to you.