For me, I would say around the $300 mark is about as much as I would spend, but I could justify paying more than that for something like a NOS filarmonica.
How much $$$ is too much for a straight razor???
- Thread starter camoloc
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My only truck at the moment that I use everyday cost me $4,000. The Harley I rarely have time to ride anymore, just sitting in the garage collecting dust.... $22,000. When I used to ride beater bikes, and very much enjoy it, I would have called $22,000 for a used bike completely NUTS! But the day came when I bought one.
Likely the same with razors. $35 or $40 is my most expensive razor now. In a few years???? Who knows what I may splurge on a whim.
I offered someone a kidney once for a prestine Tortoise Shell MK32. That offer still stands.
I've never spent over $60 for a razor.
I suppose if I want a custom I can pay, but I see no reason to spend that much when a Gold Dollar or vintage shaves just fine. After that, it's aesthetics and not improving the actual function.
I suppose if I want a custom I can pay, but I see no reason to spend that much when a Gold Dollar or vintage shaves just fine. After that, it's aesthetics and not improving the actual function.
I get a little fidgety when the price rises above $250. That said, I am still thinking about
the NOS Tanifuji Cape Kennedy '77 that slipped through my fingers at $400...
the NOS Tanifuji Cape Kennedy '77 that slipped through my fingers at $400...
Slash McCoy
I freehand dog rockets
KInda subjective and personal. For me, it's whatever the current lowest price I can get a new Bismarck.
I think a good approach is to put it into perspective by figuring out how many hours it typically takes you to earn what the razor costs. Instead of arbitrarily picking a dollar limit, decide how many days or hours you are willing to work for a razor.
I think a good approach is to put it into perspective by figuring out how many hours it typically takes you to earn what the razor costs. Instead of arbitrarily picking a dollar limit, decide how many days or hours you are willing to work for a razor.
Loaded question, for sure. There are some beautiful custom razors I’ve seen that sell for serious money. But I can’t imagine any of them shaving better than a $150 Ralf Aust.
it also depends on what it is. For example, if you have a hankering for larger razors, you need to be prepared to pay a bit more. That said, I still get a thrill from finding one in the wild at a good price. Even if I had all the money in the world, I don't want to be the guy who paid the most for anything (come to think of it).
Tough question and all I can think of is the saying Value Is in the Eye of the Beholder, but value and price are not synonyms.
To me, an old vintage SR my grandpa used to shave with may hold a tremendous (emotional) value, but if I were to sell it on eBay, similar items go for as low as $20.
OTOH, a custom-made artisan razor can cost north of $1000, depending on scales material, steel (Damascus) and size. To me such a device, while no doubt very expensive would hold little value, as shaving with an 11/8 smiling edge monster is all but practical, if not downright impossible.
So, I think, in all honesty, it's impossible to monetize this question.
To me, an old vintage SR my grandpa used to shave with may hold a tremendous (emotional) value, but if I were to sell it on eBay, similar items go for as low as $20.
OTOH, a custom-made artisan razor can cost north of $1000, depending on scales material, steel (Damascus) and size. To me such a device, while no doubt very expensive would hold little value, as shaving with an 11/8 smiling edge monster is all but practical, if not downright impossible.
So, I think, in all honesty, it's impossible to monetize this question.
My first SR was a 6/8 Ralf Aust that I bought fifteen months ago. I loved it and was satisfied....or so I thought.
Then, I discovered Tanifuji and SRAD got a fierce hold on me. I may need an intervention and a 12-step program.
Let's try it this way. Someone mentioned the Tanifuji Cape Kennedy. This razor commemorates the Kennedy Space Center and the 1977 Voyager Mission. The razor was a joint venture designed by Nichiri Co. and produced by Fukutaro Tanifuji. It is made of Swedish steel. Below is a picture of that NOS Cape with its original packaging. I don't own this razor. I found the photo.
I would pay as much as $375 for this NOS razor. How much would you pay?
I would pay as much as $375 for this NOS razor. How much would you pay?
Yep. Don't think that's going to work either.
For that razor, I wouldn't pay over $80 because it does not appeal to me personally. (Unless I bought it strictly to tell at a profit.) But I'd still pay over 5 times that for a custom wedge from any of several modern artists.
There simply is no absolute value for any given razor. And every razor has a unique value for each prodspective owner.
I agree. I posted that razor because it has historical significance and has sold for high dollars. Actually, it does not appeal to me either. I would prefer a Cape with no special etching. But I was curious what people would be willing to pay.
On the other hand, one of my most treasured razors is shown below. It is a "Gold Zoo" from Kalamazoo Pharmacal Co. in Kalamazoo Michigan. I went to college in Kalamazoo and have wonderful memories of that beautiful college town and the friends we made there. I rescued the razor from eBay at a cost of $7 plus shipping. After removing a few small chips, setting the bevel and honing, it is an HHT-5. I'm thinking it is a great grind. And the wonderful shaves remind me of those college years; a time gone by.
On the other hand, one of my most treasured razors is shown below. It is a "Gold Zoo" from Kalamazoo Pharmacal Co. in Kalamazoo Michigan. I went to college in Kalamazoo and have wonderful memories of that beautiful college town and the friends we made there. I rescued the razor from eBay at a cost of $7 plus shipping. After removing a few small chips, setting the bevel and honing, it is an HHT-5. I'm thinking it is a great grind. And the wonderful shaves remind me of those college years; a time gone by.
Slash McCoy
I freehand dog rockets
Looks like a nice nimble razor. You probably got your $7 worth out of it.
Steve56
Ask me about shaving naked!
I don’t believe that the original question was really well enough defined. Are we talking about razors for the purpose of shaving, or razors which have collectible or historical value? Many people simply aren’t interested in collectible razors.
Examples would be a NOS Iwasaki tamehagane western which bring about $3k. Wild Bill Hickock’s razor sold for $10k, but the razor itself is not collectible.
Two better questions might be:
1. How much would you pay for a utility razor, one that is not rare (not collectible itself) and will be used for shaving? and
2. How much would you pay for a collectible razor? Collectible either by itself or by provenance?
Some of the most expensive razors are expensive because of the scales, made for the European aristocracy with scales of carved ivory, tortoise, or MOP with silver or gold inlays. They bring very high prices regardless of the blade condition. People do not buy them to shave with. These are probably the most expensive based on the razor/scales themselves.
But straight razors are inherently tools, and far too many were made for most to be of any collectible interest. The Tanifuji Cape Kennedy is not collectible in this sense, and $375 is not high for a nice NOS straight razor - just check Filarmonica price. In comparison, a marble (the kind you play ‘marbles’ with, sold for around $12k and that isn’t that unusual. 4x what a NOS Iwasaki will bring. The marble was considered collectible, IOW you wouldn’t actually use it.
Based on provenance, owned by a famous or historical figure, the sky’s the limit.
www.badgerandblade.com
Examples would be a NOS Iwasaki tamehagane western which bring about $3k. Wild Bill Hickock’s razor sold for $10k, but the razor itself is not collectible.
Two better questions might be:
1. How much would you pay for a utility razor, one that is not rare (not collectible itself) and will be used for shaving? and
2. How much would you pay for a collectible razor? Collectible either by itself or by provenance?
Some of the most expensive razors are expensive because of the scales, made for the European aristocracy with scales of carved ivory, tortoise, or MOP with silver or gold inlays. They bring very high prices regardless of the blade condition. People do not buy them to shave with. These are probably the most expensive based on the razor/scales themselves.
But straight razors are inherently tools, and far too many were made for most to be of any collectible interest. The Tanifuji Cape Kennedy is not collectible in this sense, and $375 is not high for a nice NOS straight razor - just check Filarmonica price. In comparison, a marble (the kind you play ‘marbles’ with, sold for around $12k and that isn’t that unusual. 4x what a NOS Iwasaki will bring. The marble was considered collectible, IOW you wouldn’t actually use it.
Based on provenance, owned by a famous or historical figure, the sky’s the limit.
Shaving Kits used by Famous Men in History
So I thought I would start a thread on something I find very interesting! Shaving Brushes of Famous Men in History. I, and many others I'm sure, would be interested to see just what kind of brush these men used! I'll start with George Washington, the first President of the United States...
www.badgerandblade.com
I'm with the philosophy that @Slash noted. It's' not dollars, it's how many of your hours or days is it?
There was a story about a western journalist who spent a friendly evening with a saudi prince in the casinos. The evening ended with the Saudi dude losing terribly. Don't know but say $100k
The two buddies are stumbling back to the hotel and the journalist says "wow, are you ok, dude? You must be feeling awful."
The saudi guy says "oh I'm ok. I'll sleep through the night and eight hours means my wealth will have grown up to make it all back by tomorrow morning."
But getting back to us normal working guys.
A normal income to be a guy and raise a family is about 350 a day gross. Reduce some expenses and taxes and you're down to 200 cash in your jeans.
So I think that's it for most of us. A day. We will give up one days' take home cash. That's usually the ceiling for a razor for most of us, I'm guessing.
For the Saudi dude, he's still spending a day's income, but his day is different than most.
There was a story about a western journalist who spent a friendly evening with a saudi prince in the casinos. The evening ended with the Saudi dude losing terribly. Don't know but say $100k
The two buddies are stumbling back to the hotel and the journalist says "wow, are you ok, dude? You must be feeling awful."
The saudi guy says "oh I'm ok. I'll sleep through the night and eight hours means my wealth will have grown up to make it all back by tomorrow morning."
But getting back to us normal working guys.
A normal income to be a guy and raise a family is about 350 a day gross. Reduce some expenses and taxes and you're down to 200 cash in your jeans.
So I think that's it for most of us. A day. We will give up one days' take home cash. That's usually the ceiling for a razor for most of us, I'm guessing.
For the Saudi dude, he's still spending a day's income, but his day is different than most.
And if a fella's cash for a day's work is $400, good for him. And I suspect his buying limit will be closer to $400 as a result.
I think it's about one day, regardless of what that number is.
I think it's about one day, regardless of what that number is.
Now that is a story and a half! I love the part about Ethel's niece being the executor and that it was sold to Steve.
I'm assuming when Steve sells it or passes it down, the other folks will continue adding it to the original provenance like generational game of tag-you're-it.
p.s. Are you THE Steve?
Steve56
Ask me about shaving naked!
No I am not THE Steve, lol.
BTW, there’s a gent over on ‘the palace’ that has a pair of these.
BTW, there’s a gent over on ‘the palace’ that has a pair of these.
It's funny you said Saudi. I was on Instagram the other day and I stumbled on a page by a Saudi dude showing his watch collection. Well also his car collection since he was taking the pics in his cars. It was insane. Yeah different people have different spending power.
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