Buying Antique and Vintage

[Rudd4Prez]

Hi,

My wife and I enjoy antique shopping and I figured since I just got into wet shaving I would start looking around when we go shopping and see if I can't find some treasures. Would like to hear your thoughts and ideas on the topic. For example (razor education so I know what to buy, keep for my collection or sell, what price range am I looking at, razors, brushes, blades, etc...) Thanks look forward to hearing from many of you.

 

[MacDaddy]

Well, that's a pretty open-ended question there, Bryan. I'll take a stab at chipping away at some of it, though.

I'm assuming that you're in the States, in which case most of the DE razors you're going to find will be Gillettes. Every generation of Gillette DE will work just fine with modern blades, so if you're looking for things to use you have no worry there. My general rule of thumb is if I find a Gillette in good working order for less than $5 I'll buy it on the spot, and really anything under $10 is a decent bargain, though I might pass up something like a $10 Tech or an Old Type that's a little too worn, etc.

On the other end of the spectrum, though, you're going to see people asking all kinds of insane prices for pretty common stuff. Until you've spent some time looking it will be a little hard to always know what you're looking at, so about the best advice I can give you is unless you know exactly what you're buying for certain, don't spend any more than you'd be willing to light on fire. Don't be fooled into thinking that something must be worth more just because a seller has it priced high. For every $2 Fatboy I find I have to dig past dozens of $50 snaggle-toothed, cracked-handled Old Types and $75 Rolls Razors.

Hanging off that same point more generally, never ever assume that the seller has even half a clue what they're talking about -- though, if you're used to antiquing I'm sure you know that already.

Really, the best way to start out collecting, I think, is to start by looking for razors that you'd like to use yourself. That way even if you don't find some amazingly rare collector's piece, you've still got something that you can get some serious use out of.

Welcome to B&B, by the way. Hanging out here is also a great way to get yourself hooked.

 

[rxonmymind]

Great advice there. Also as an alternative google search antique fairs/peddlers fair in your local area. This is a GREAT way to finding bargains and collecting w/o breaking the bank. A great resource for knowledge is here at B&B. As MacDaddy said, $5-10 is a good pick up although I've seen some vendors charge $20 for nice minty Fatboys that I'll make an exception to buying.
Welcome to B&B.

 

[alex2363]

Well, that's a pretty open-ended question there, Bryan. I'll take a stab at chipping away at some of it, though.

I'm assuming that you're in the States, in which case most of the DE razors you're going to find will be Gillettes. Every generation of Gillette DE will work just fine with modern blades, so if you're looking for things to use you have no worry there. My general rule of thumb is if I find a Gillette in good working order for less than $5 I'll buy it on the spot, and really anything under $10 is a decent bargain, though I might pass up something like a $10 Tech or an Old Type that's a little too worn, etc.

On the other end of the spectrum, though, you're going to see people asking all kinds of insane prices for pretty common stuff. Until you've spent some time looking it will be a little hard to always know what you're looking at, so about the best advice I can give you is unless you know exactly what you're buying for certain, don't spend any more than you'd be willing to light on fire. Don't be fooled into thinking that something must be worth more just because a seller has it priced high. For every $2 Fatboy I find I have to dig past dozens of $50 snaggle-toothed, cracked-handled Old Types and $75 Rolls Razors.

Hanging off that same point more generally, never ever assume that the seller has even half a clue what they're talking about -- though, if you're used to antiquing I'm sure you know that already.

Really, the best way to start out collecting, I think, is to start by looking for razors that you'd like to use yourself. That way even if you don't find some amazingly rare collector's piece, you've still got something that you can get some serious use out of.

Welcome to B&B, by the way. Hanging out here is also a great way to get yourself hooked.

Real hooked!!

 

[Rudd4Prez]

Thanks guys that's some good guidelines to start with. I actually saw 4-5 the other day but did not buy yet still learning.

 

[Graybeard57]

Happy hunting. I know that if I start making the rounds, the risk of having a basketful of razors I'll never use is too great. I have three, two of which are vintage. Enjoy your search, and please post photos of what you find. Good luck.

 

[Ruski]

Also a good way to check on prices is to search for completed ebay listings for gillettes, especially specific types.
Here is a great site to learn about most models:
http://mr-razor.com/Rasierer/Gillette%20Rasierer.htm

 

[bryan1980]

Porter's got ya covered, not a whole lot I can add to that. When you do see one with a insane price, try to get in touch with the seller, and shoot them a more reasonable offer. If they don't bite, pass on it for the time being and let it sit. Odds are it'll still be there, and the seller might be more receptive to your offer by then.

 

[Sir Lurkalot]

Look through the BST, members photos and Mr Razor website. This will give you a good idea on a razors identity and perhaps a comfortable price range you would be willing to pay for it. Also 'bay watching doesn't hurt either.

 

[JHCC]

All good advice, which I heartily second.

One question to ask yourself is, Am I collecting razors to use? Or to build a collection? This will help guide you in your purchases, as sometimes you'll buy something for the sake of building a collection that you'd never consider buying to use.

I'll give you an example. Some months back, I stopped in a junk shop where I found a nice little Gillette Travel Tech set, NOS, still in its box, and still with the cardboard packaging between the two halves of the head. I travel a lot for business, so I initially thought this would be a nice addition to my travel kit.

However, on further thought, I realized that (A) the handle was too short for comfortable shaving, (B) the kit (which included a mirror, nail clippers, etc in a zippered leatherette case) was actually larger than the case of my current travel razor (a pre-WWII Tech), and (C) using the Travel Tech would instantly change its collectibility. That was the moment that I realized that I didn't want a collection for the sake of a collection; I wanted good quality razors that I can actually USE.

The happy ending to this story is that I ended up trading that travel set for a few other items at another store, where I got a lot more in trade-in value than I'd actually paid!

So, there's actually a third reason to buy something: if it's something that you can get for cheap, but sell or trade for more.

 

[Rudd4Prez]

Here is a great site to learn about most models:
http://mr-razor.com/Rasierer/Gillette Rasierer.htm

Ruski,

That was a super helpful website. Now I can actually have some idea of what I am looking at and decide whether I want or need it. Any more websites like this would be super helpful. Maybe one on blades, or single blade type razors, etc.. Thank you all again for the feedback I have a good start now anyways.

Bryan

 

[Nxspam]

Bryan,

one item that will narrow and intensify your search could be your Birth Quarter Razor. Many Gillettes of a certain age have a serial number or production code. B&B has an excellent table of vintage Gillettes and their production dates. If memory serves me right, gillette introduced the letter and number format in the '50s on many of its razors, and it continued for a few decades.

for example, I was born in October 1966. 66 has the letter L and October, being in the 4th quarter has the number 4, so my Birth Quarter Razor has a date code of L4.

Now I love gillette adjustables. I'm not a collector, I just enjoy shaving with them when I'm not using a straight. The gillette slim adjustable was being made in 1966. And right now, I'm waiting for an L4 Slim Adjustable to be delivered. Not mint, but still excellent condition. I have another slim that's busted and stuck on 1, but I bought this with the intention of learning how to unstick or repair it. Other than that, I have a fat boy (first production year) and a very nice short handle black beauty. All gillette adjustables. The next on my list is a long handle black beauty. Then I'll stop. I think. I hope. Maybe.

 

[5savages]

I think the best place to learn prices is here on BST. The Ebay prices are often pretty high, I find, but the prices on the BST are usually a good indicator of their worth. I typically won't buy anything unless I know I can turn it around get my money back if I decide I don't want it later. Most of the vintage razors I've found at antique stores have been half of what they would cost here.

The comment about figuring out why your buying them is spot on. I'm also buying only stuff I'll actually use, in general. To that end, I plan on getting rid of all the razors I decide that I won't use.

I get a kick out of the price ranges I see out there. For instance...

Rolls Razors from $5 to $80
Old Spice mugs from $3 to $30
Gillette Techs from $1.50 to $50
and best one...
TwinPlex razor stropper in great shape, in the box, for $7 vs. a corroded example for...hold on to your hats...$195.00! I **** you not, that's what it was priced at. I wish I would have taken a picture.

 

[Rudd4Prez]

Thanks again guys really all very helpful stuff. I think one of my biggest problems off the bat is that I am the newest newbie you can be at this and I have no clue what I am looking at. Although now with the Mr. Razor website I can look at the different styles of Gillettes. Maybe on my next outing I will take some pictures and post them up here so that I can get some feedback as to what I am looking at and if it is actually worth the price listed. Thanks again and keep the comments flowing. I have a very basic starting kit but am eager to get more and learn more. Here is a pic of my current set up (I also have the Crew shaving oil as well.)

 

[Rudd4Prez]

Current bid on this auction is 11.61 there is a T3 included which I believe is from my birth year and quarter September 1973. Here is a full description of the auction. How much is it worth?

Up for auction are several Gillette products.
Black Handle safety razor with date code T3
Black handle safety razor with date code N1
Sealed still in the tube Wilkinson Bonded shaving system
All silver tone Gillette Atra
Brown plastic handle Gillette (look like an Atra)
Family Dollar new in sealed package 5 double edge blades
Gillette super stainless blades (looks like 2 or 3 in the metal case)
Gillette thin blades, only 8 not 10

 

[5savages]

I didn't know what I was looking at when I started either. By checking out the BST ads, you'll start learning to recognize the different basic models and prices and and soon will be able to make reasonable judgments in the field.

I'm no expert by any means, but here's some guidelines that you might find helpful

If it's dirty and grimy, this is good because you can use that to talk down the price, if it's not cheap already. Then when you get home you can clean it up and make it pretty, which you'd want to do anyway.

Make sure all mechanism are smooth to operate and that there are no bent or missing pieces (bent teeth on an open comb might be ok though, if cheap enough)

Based on what I've seen in the wild and on BST, max I would pay for a razor in good shape with no case:

Tech - $7
Injector - $8
GEM - $6
Lady Gillette $12
Superspeed - $8
Super Adjustable $15-$17
Slim $15-$17
Old Type $10
NEW $10
Valet $8
Fatboy - I've seen one yet in the wild, but i'd go up to $20 if it was in really nice shape.

Any DE razor $5 or less is a good deal, regardless of the type. Prices may be different in your area. To pay more than that, It would have to be in great shape, or come with a nice case. What I want is to be able to sell it on BST if i don't like it, and not lose money shipping it.

 

[MacDaddy]

Just FYI, talking about live auctions even if you don't provide a link to them isn't allowed in the forums until they're closed. If it's a BIN-only eBay listing that's alright, though you run the risk of having it bought out from under you then, of course. Have a quick look through the "10 B&B commandments," as it were, if you haven't already done that.

 

[Rudd4Prez]

Just FYI, talking about live auctions even if you don't provide a link to them isn't allowed in the forums until they're closed. If it's a BIN-only eBay listing that's alright, though you run the risk of having it bought out from under you then, of course. Have a quick look through the "10 B&B commandments," as it were, if you haven't already done that.

Got it! Thanks Mac

 

[SteveWY]

This is a great thread and I will be saving it. All good advice here. I learned the hard way when first starting out with my RAD! Once you internalize some general knowledge of razors, what you want and relative values then set your own personal price ranges and stick to it. I'm a 100% Gillette guy so I made a little date code chart that I keep in my wallet for reference. I practice extreme caution and restraint with online auctions as prices can get crazy there.

If you continue here in the forums you will quickly become familiar with razor brands, types and values. You know you hooked when you start using phrases in conversation like: user-grade, minty, abbreviating model and make names, date code, birth year/quarter, "nice score", "found in the wild".

 

[Rudd4Prez]

Hey guys just wanted to update. Picked up my first vintage DE last week and the price was great (FREE). It was a 1968 Superspeed that belonged to my wife's grandfather. Here is a pic. Just gotta clean it up a bit and try it out. Can't wait. Ordered some MAAS polish from Amazon today.

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