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Thread: Will replacing scales devalue the razor

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bobby66 Will replacing scales devalue... 12-14-2015, 01:30 PM
Thug Razors are not investment... 12-14-2015, 02:15 PM
RezDog I have never been able to... 12-14-2015, 03:36 PM
WW243 I don't know why exactly... 12-14-2015, 04:49 PM
gssixgun How about you stop all the... 12-14-2015, 05:36 PM
JimmyHAD Welcome to SRP. It does... 12-14-2015, 05:40 PM
tcrideshd If it turns out like most new... 12-14-2015, 08:34 PM
edhewitt As has been said---- maybe,... 12-15-2015, 02:47 AM
outback The only time I replace... 12-14-2015, 10:49 PM
32t To broad of question. For a... 12-14-2015, 11:19 PM
  1. #1
    Senior Member blabbermouth Thug's Avatar
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    Razors are not investment pieces, so whether you replace scales or not is, imho, immaterial.

    However, if the razor is one from a bygone era that has historical appeal and the scales can be saved, then keep the scales. Purely to preserve authenticity.

    If the scales are causing cell rot, change them out to save the blade.

    If the razor is a normal generic mass produced razor then it won't make any difference to the value whether the scales are changed or not.

    *all the above in my opinion.

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  3. #2
    Senior Member blabbermouth RezDog's Avatar
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    I have never been able to make a bit of sense out of razor sales. At this point I have to say maybe, maybe not. I have to agree with Thug, on his points. There are times when it is best to keep the old looking old. Personally I am not wild on many of the newer style scales, but I am one in a very large crown. I prefer the older style of scales with the more traditional materials. That being said there are wood scales out there that have wowed me. It is a blade by blade choice as far as I can tell.
    It's not what you know, it's who you take fishing!

  4. #3
    Fatty Boom Boom WW243's Avatar
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    I don't know why exactly vintage razors are not viewed as antiques (the ones which are) and treated as such. With antique restoration every effort is made to remain true to the original.
    If you are just becoming interested in straight razors, I wonder why you are already thinking of resale?
    In vintage razors wood scales seem to be found only in farmer rescaled razors. It is the chemical finishes that have made wood more practical in a wet environment, like super glue.
    If you have off gassing celluloid, you could use acrylic to replace the scales. If the scales have a crazy color or sparkles or whatever, you can probably find something parallel in modern materials.
    With a custom razor, any choice of scale material is cool.
    Finally, if you replace scales, keep anything that is not destroyed by unpinning.
    sharptonn and edhewitt like this.
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    At this point in time... gssixgun's Avatar
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    How about you stop all the guessing and post a pic of the razor in question

    We all love razor pics anyway but the correct answer is "maybe it will maybe it won't, it might even increase the value"

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  7. #5
    Senior Member blabbermouth JimmyHAD's Avatar
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    Welcome to SRP. It does depend on the razor. In some cases it would be a definite deal breaker for me. OTOH, if the scales are shot it could be an improvement. It also depends on the quality of the workmanship. Clunky crude wood scales are worse than old bug bitten horn with a crack at the wedge end AFAIC.
    Be careful how you treat people on your way up, you may meet them again on your way back down.

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    Senior Member blabbermouth tcrideshd's Avatar
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    If it turns out like most new wood scales it doesn't do a thing for the value, plus there isn't any value if that's what your doing, razors are just something you own, ask any of the razor restoring guys, it's not a real money making thing , you can make more collecting aluminum cans , but do as glen said post a picture. Tc
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    Senior Member rodb's Avatar
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    I don't see any need to replace scales unless they are broken or really bad shape, if you buy them with broken scales they are probably already discounted or will be when you point out the damage. Vintage mint/nos razors get the best prices rightfully, all the rest vary a lot.
    RezDog, edhewitt and outback like this.

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    Senior Member blabbermouth edhewitt's Avatar
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    As has been said---- maybe, but maybe not. It really depends on what you have and what condition it is in to start with.
    If the razor is for your own use I really wouldn't bother unless the existing ones are useless. Personally I like razors that are either original or true to original type, ie changing a pair of bake lite scales for X X X X X X that was offered with the razor originally would be OK but stripping out a perfectly good pair of horn/bakelite/X X X for Spangly acrylic or whatever would just ruin an otherwise perfectly good razor. However some buyers like the bling. If you are looking to tart up a razor to resell then I think your gains will be minimal.
    Bread and water can so easily become tea and toast

  12. #9
    Razor Vulture sharptonn's Avatar
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    TBH, all the OP needs do is go to the Fleabay and look at completed listings versus those which never sell.

    As has been said, it depends upon the razor. Ebay is not the only place to buy, but recent history is accessible. I saw a toxic green GB the other day on there. Nobody wants to pay a pile for it.
    Were it in original horn, would be another story. JMHO
    "Don't be stubborn. You are missing out."
    I rest my case.

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