ABC Mystery Box

[onadraw]

Who took a shot at this ABC set mystery box? I tried but not hard enough. I'd love to see it when it arrives.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/A-pocket-ed...D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

 

[AceByTerror]

Wow... you bidders are brave!

Whatever is in that box is pure speculation on both model and condition.

There are seats waiting for you in Vegas

 

[onadraw]

I emailed the seller. He said inside was a "beautiful gold razor" but he was having trouble adding pics. I was willing to take a shot because of the 100% positive seller feedback but my shot wasn't big enough. It was all I was willing to gamble.

Still, I hope someone here got it so my curiosity can be tended to.

 

[onadraw]

Nobody here, I guess.

 

[ojinsa]

No, sorry. But, like you, I'm curious to see what's in it.

 

[ArNav]

I didn't know they offer mystery boxes on EBAY.

 

[americanarmsdealer]

I have a feeling someone probably got hosed on this one. A "beautiful gold razor" could be a fat handle Tech or a Star Silver Star. Both are good razors, and great shavers, but neither is $63 good, in my opinion. How much do the ABC cases in much less than stellar condition usually go for? And I'm wondering what pattern the case even is??

 

[onadraw]

I have a feeling someone probably got hosed on this one. A "beautiful gold razor" could be a fat handle Tech or a Star Silver Star. Both are good razors, and great shavers, but neither is $63 good, in my opinion. How much do the ABC cases in much less than stellar condition usually go for? And I'm wondering what pattern the case even is??

I agree it was a risk. My gamble was stretched out at $62 but I sure would like to know.

 

[LiveOak]

I didn't see it, but you all should have gone for it. I bet it's the super rare gold plated double ring .

 

[Woodekb]

I always end up with a "new" gold comb. Cracked handles Have four. And don't use!

Good luck!

 

[77TransAm]

I always end up with a "new" gold comb. Cracked handles Have four. And don't use!

Good luck!

Howcome so many people have cracked handles? Is it from dropping them over the years?

 

[Woodekb]

Howcome so many people have cracked handles? Is it from dropping them over the years?

From what I understand, it's mostly from the manufacturing process, or weakened metal from age. You have to reeeealy look at the top and bottom of the handles in pics before purchase.

Ive seen MANY with completely split handles. That goes for a lot of older Gillettes. I'm having a hard time finding a Bostonian without one. Bought two and both had a tiny split starting that didn't show up on the sellers pics. Luckly i didnt pay top dollar. Gotta ask questions, but in some cases you have to really look hard or know what to look for. A least I have a few nice cases.

 

[onotoman]

Indeed, the collars were a press fit into the handle tube and the tube weakens and cracks with age due to the collar pressing outwards, a better method (from an engineering viewpoint) would be to solder the parts together or turn the entire handle from one piece of brass. It's straightforward to repair by soldering the collar/ball end into the handle tube but the crack is always visible.

As for what's inside the case - I'd hate to open it to find anything made from Zamak!

From what I understand, it's mostly from the manufacturing process, or weakened metal from age. You have to reeeealy look at the top and bottom of the handles in pics before purchase.

Ive seen MANY with completely split handles. That goes for a lot of older Gillettes. I'm having a hard time finding a Bostonian without one. Bought two and both had a tiny split starting that didn't show up on the sellers pics. Luckly i didnt pay top dollar. Gotta ask questions, but in some cases you have to really look hard or know what to look for. A least I have a few nice cases.

 

[MacDaddy]

Howcome so many people have cracked handles? Is it from dropping them over the years?

I'm no metallurgist, but here's my understanding of it: When the brass is drawn to make the long, thin tube it develops significant internal stresses, and unless it it properly treated after drawing these can lead to subsequent failure of the material. The press-fit ends put additional stress on the material, which compounds the problem. Add to that brass's susceptibility to ammonia and the likelihood of ammonia-based cleaners being used or stored in proximity to these razors, and you've got something of a perfect storm.

If you really want to geek out, check out this paper published in 1925 on the "release of internal stress in brass tubing."

 

[ironfist]

I wonder if anyone here actually did get it, oooooh the anticipation!