I won a Dubl Duck on eBay...taken to the cleaners?

[Slowhand]

Alright, so I wasn't about to stay up until 1 or 2 a.m. for this auction. So, I put in a max bid of 20 bucks and hit the hay. I thought, surely a dubl duck is worth 30 bucks, even if i have to do a little restoration work and polishing.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170536292149&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

I guess because it only sold for 17 bucks is the reason why I'm a little worried. There are no pictures (the reason I didn't stay up, and perhaps the reason I won it??), but I figured even sight unseen, there was NO WAY I'd win a Dubl Duck for $20. The description sounds good, and I'm sure it will need some touching up/honing, but I'm really relying on your all's professional expertise here...

Did I get taken to the cleaners?

Thanks in advance.

 

[johnmrson]

I think that it's worth taking the punt. If its no good then it hasn't cost you a fortune.

 

[DunEdinRanger]

The worst case scenario is you have a $17 letter opener.

 

[gumbo]

I think feedback being 100% with over 200 suggests that when they say good condition they are, if anything, being conservative. I think you got a nice score.

 

[gumbo]

The worst case scenario is you have a $17 letter opener.

Actually, I turned a WB for barber's use that had a microcrack in the blade into a fantastic cheese knife. Starts a lot of conversations.

 

[maxman]

eh, I've spent more for less.
without the pictures you don't really know what you're going to get so roll the dice.

 

[Slowhand]

I've talked with the seller, and she reiterated that the blade was not rough at all/no pitting or rust. I feel pretty confident I got a good deal. She said her husband even shaved with it, and that the blade is in very good shape.

 

[DSB]

Looking forward to photos when you receive it.

 

[dakotaev]

+1 on pictures when you receive it!

 

[taffy]

Could well have the bargain of the year

 

[alabamalawyer]

Give us some photos when you get it. Sounds like you got a pretty good deal!

 

[professorchaos]

No pictures = no bid from me.

A few concerns I would have had. Firstly, French Ivory and bone are very different materials. French Ivory is plastic, bone is bone. I think it is pretty easy to tell them apart.

Secondly, $9.99 shipping from Missouri?

Nonetheless, I hope a pristine 7/8 spike point arrives at your home.

 

[DavyRay]

I have made bets just about like this one. I don't do that too often. Look at it this way: it's cheaper than going to Vegas.

The seller is lucky to get any bids without a picture.

 

[pz93c]

My one blind try turned out well.

An excellent Wolstenholm IXL. No rust or chips. It was loose in the scales and required repinning.

Best of luck with yours.

 

[Thebigspendur]

I don't care if it sold for ten cents if there are no pictures there is a reason for that. Of course if it turns out to be a NOS razor then you've won the gamble. It's a real leap of faith.

 

[mdunn]

excited to see the pics.

i know i wouldnt have bought it without them, but I home you get a great score

 

[Slowhand]

Alright, fellas, I got the razor today. First, a couple things:

1) The person who questioned the $10 shipping charge was correct...the postage sticker said $1.55 ---> That will be noted in my feedback. I realize doing the actual work of shipping/packing/driving to a post office/etc. takes time, but c'mon...

2) This razor obviously came from a smoking home, as I can smell it on the scales.

3) It wasn't sold as shave ready, and that's a good thing, because this cuts arm hair like a butterknife.

Now, on to the pictures. These were taken with my iPhone, so forgive the less-than-studio quality of the pics. But, I think they show everything pertinent:

Here is the picture of the full straight. As you can see, there is the slight crack near the pin at the pivot. This is the satinedge, so I'm hoping someone can tell me if these are original scales. I'm guessing (hoping) they're not, as I think this is going to be my first restoration project, and would like to make some scales for it.

Here is a closeup of the crack in the scales:

Dubl Duck

This is as good of a picture as I can get with the iPhone on the coloration of the blade. Best as I can tell, there is no pitting, only this dark coloration on the blade. It reminds me of a sort of gunmetal coloration. Maybe you all can advise what this is from. It doesn't seem like it would be too hard to polish up. Gonna get to work with the polishing clays for the bench grinder and get to work:

All in all, for $17 bucks plus shipping, I think it's an OK deal. What do you all think?



Fire away with advice and thoughts please!

 

[bradyarz]

for $17, it'll be a good base to practice honing/restoring, but it looks like there is some heavy hone-wear on the spine...

 

[SliceOfLife]

That's pitting on the spine. I don't see any on the bevel though (except some light stuff on the very heel end), so it should be fine.

That condition on eBay, I'd expect $20-30 final price. So you got a fair deal. Not a steal, and you didn't get ripped off. With a little effort it will clean up into a nice user razor. A good way to get into Ducks without breaking the bank. Best of luck.

 

[cswann1]

Hmm...lots of hone wear there, but I must say that you got a good deal, despite the high shipping fees.

Well done. I bet with some carefull refurbing and maybe some nice new scales that'll be a dandy razor.