Thread: Vintage Yardley worth it?

I'm brand spanking new to the forum and to the straight razor, so let me begin by saying hi. My name is Nate, and I recently purchased a super sweet razor from the classifieds here but haven't used it yet as I am waiting on it to arrive and gathering the rest of the necessary equipment while I wait...

Anyhow, I thought I'd mention that, after much research here and shopping online, I stumbled across a vintage Yardley soap on the ebay, slightly used in it's original wooden dish, and snagged it for $14 and free shipping. Seems to be about 3/4 intact. Am I retarded or did I score?

Most people will probably bow down before you as a result, others will not be so enthusiastic. If it lathers up nicely and gives you a good, comforting shave, then you did score well.

Still can't be bad at that price

Thanks for clueing me in. I wondered whether it was worth it or not. I plan to pick up the ever venerable MWF while I'm at it. I figured if the Yardley was rancid I could just plop the MWF into the wooden bowl and be set. Hopefully it fits? Ha.

When it comes to razors and strops and hones, second hand is great. However when it comes to soaps and brushes I draw the line. I know any possible pathogens are long dead but it's just unsavory to me to use used soap and brushes too.

Many have no problems with this though.

I can definitely see it being an issue and wondered to that effect myself. I figure on scrubbing the heck out of the puck and looking for orange spots. I read somewhere that the orange spots were a sign of the animal fat gone rancid? Beyond that, I'm not too terribly worried about it.

But… I think in the future I'll rarely go this route. MWF and Tabac are affordable enough and seem to be forum favorites. They're at the top of my ordering list atm.

I wouldn't worry about rancid animal fat unless I was eating it LOL. I've gotten lightly used pucks from friends, even bought a couple used in a group of NOS pucks. I've gotten a number of used brushes and probably will again.

As to whether it was worth it ...... go in the classifieds (SRP) in 'miscellaneous' and see what the asking price is for a puck of that stuff.

Holy $%&*. I had no idea. I feel as though my face is going to love this hobby, but my wallet is already sad and I've only just begun… And on a budget at that. Thanks everyone for the replies. I can't wait to make my first lather and experience an enjoyable shave. I guess I could have done worse than starting with an SRP classifieds "shave ready", and some Yardley! This site has been extremely helpful. Understatement of the decade.

On my to-buy list if I ever find a good deal. Let us know how you like the Yardley.

If I do not, good sir… Then it is yours. And if I happen upon more at a decent price, I'll be sure to let you know. I've no plans to horde the precious.

I'm old enough to remember when "Yardley" was a common brand of shaving soap. I don't think it was especially expensive, or thought to be especially good. Sort of in the same league as Old Spice shaving soap (which I used regularly).

But you're going to be experiencing a little piece of history -- lather up, and enjoy the shave.

. Charles