It's so ironic....

[polod]

One of the main reasons people started switching back to DE from cartridge razors was the high cost of replacement cartridges. Now that DE razors have become very collectible, buying the razors themselves is proving to be an expensive hobby or venture. 10 years ago, you could walk into any antique store and buy one of those razors for 50 cents. Now that DE shaving has become hot in recent years, common Gillette razors are selling for crazy prices. Sure there are deals to be had, but it seems a lot of antique dealers are starting to realize how crazy some prices get for razors, so they jack up their prices too. It's getting harder to find fair prices.

Junk stores are still good and some estate sales and roadside flea markets. But most antique stores have raised their prices dramatically. In the last couple of years a DE razor might be had for a few dollars, now they want $30 or more, some as even as high as $80 for a common razor. And don't get me started on Ebay! So buying and collecting DE razors is starting to get expensive, which might turn off some newcomers to DE shaving.

 

[Cubits]

An expensive handle with cheap blades is still going to be the cheaper alternative to a cheap handle with expensive blades.

My 60 buck fatboy is only four packs of fusion carts, has lasted half a century without a mark on it, and will do so for another half century.

Well, that's how i justify it to myself.

 

[jlanger]

The good and the bad of this is that you're also starting to see a lot more new DE shavers coming in from all China, as well as Germany, didn't Merkur just come out with a host of new models? I think that even though some of the Chinese stuff has some quality issues, it'll still be a decent entry point even once the awesome antiques start to get expensive.

 

[kg4ghn]

I still find common razors like techs, kronas, superspeeds for $1-$5 in antique stores a good bit. That's just the prices on them, most times you can haggle the price down some too.

Personally I don't think the price is going to be a turnoff until it gets much worse. I mean look at how many newbies buy new razors like merkurs or EJ89s intsead of vintage.

 

[shecky]

An expensive handle with cheap blades is still going to be the cheaper alternative to a cheap handle with expensive blades.

My 60 buck fatboy is only four packs of fusion carts, has lasted half a century without a mark on it, and will do so for another half century.

The irony continues, considering that Gillette's original razors and blade refills were not exactly cheap back in the day. Adjusting for inflation, blades back then were pretty close to the prices we pay today for Fusion blades.

 

[polod]

Also I noticed some dealers don't have a clue how to price them either. There was one place where the razors had no cases, and a lot of the razors were just in average condition, a few were nicer, but they had a few Fatboys, didn't matter if one was in better condition than the other, they were the same price. Then they had a slim that was priced even higher than the Fatboys and it was damaged. The slim looked like it was dropped a few times and had dings on the bottom of the handle. Then they had a common made in Canada fat handled 1932 Tech razor priced at $30 and a Bostonian priced a little cheaper and I think they had a double ring Gillette, but can't verify for sure for $12. They had some Gems and a Shick injector razor priced way too high. The prices were all over the price, but all were mostly high. They basically priced them all too high just because they were DE razors and they know people are interested. But it didn't seem to matter to them when they priced them if they had a case, what condition they were in or model, (older, newer). The only razors they seemed to know were kind of hot were the Fatboys.

 

[kg4ghn]

Most people do not have a clue what these old razors are worth. Most people don't even know people still use DEs.

Typical conversation at an antique store:

"Hey do you have any old shaving stuff? Razors, brushes, mugs?"
"yeah we have a few"
"cool I'm looking for some new stuff to add to my collection"
"you collect old razors huh?"
"yeah, I clean them up and use them"
"REALLY?? I didn't know they still made blades for these things"
"yep, lot's of people use them"
"well, uhhh, alright then, here is what I have"

 

[Cubits]

Most people do not have a clue what these old razors are worth. Most people don't even know people still use DEs.

Typical conversation at an antique store:

"Hey do you have any old shaving stuff? Razors, brushes, mugs?"
"yeah we have a few"
"cool I'm looking for some new stuff to add to my collection"
"you collect old razors huh?"
"yeah, I clean them up and use them"
"REALLY?? I didn't know they still made blades for these things"
"yep, lot's of people use them"
"well, uhhh, alright then, here is what I have"

I always pretend that it's an idle curiosity, and casually throw a low price at them. It usually works.

If you act like you know too much, they'll be onto you.

 

[kg4ghn]

depends on the place.

One of the last places I went to had an old couple that had an antique store set up in the front two rooms of their house. After asking about razors me and the guy got to talking about razors, and knives, and other stuff and ended up talking for like 30 minutes. Then he gave me a discount on the stuff I was going to buy.

 

[RF1963]

I think there are two concepts here around DEs; buying to build a collection and buying to shave with a DE because carts are too damned expensive.

I know nothing about the collecting side, demand driving prices etc.

I do know that I can buy a Muhle handle, a years supply of razors, I'd guess 2 soaps to last a year, a brush and still be saving money compared to a years supply of Gillette's latest and greatest.

I think there are plenty of bargains in the BST for a starter to get a good start.

In terms of collecting than I think it stands to reason that increased demand will drive prices up in the antique/collectable area

but I still believe there is plenty of room in the market for newcomers to the art to equip themselves with good equipment.

 

[apino]

I'd be willing to pay for second hand safety razors if only I could find them locally. Nothing at flea markets or second hand shops. Online auctions are the only way.

BTW, everybody keeps saying DE shaving has become hot in the last few years. It certainly seems so: prices soar on eBay and online communities (like B&B) are very active. I'd be very interested to know if the phenomenon has been covered in the media in any way?

In this age of disposables and a rising awareness of our planet's limited resources, DE shaving sounds like a good topic (certainly my SWMBO who works as a journalist is telling me so). No doubt, it would be interesting from a sociological perspective too: the nostalgia factor can be interpreted as a longing for times when things were "less hectic" and men had time to pamper themselves (though I'm pretty sure in reality shaving with a President was mostly seen as an unavoidable chore back in the day).

 

[BBrad]

I'd be willing to pay for second hand safety razors if only I could find them locally. Nothing at flea markets or second hand shops. Online auctions are the only way.

BTW, everybody keeps saying DE shaving has become hot in the last few years. It certainly seems so: prices soar on eBay and online communities (like B&B) are very active. I'd be very interested to know if the phenomenon has been covered in the media in any way?

In this age of disposables and a rising awareness of our planet's limited resources, DE shaving sounds like a good topic (certainly my SWMBO who works as a journalist is telling me so). No doubt, it would be interesting from a sociological perspective too: the nostalgia factor can be interpreted as a longing for times when things were "less hectic" and men had time to pamper themselves (though I'm pretty sure in reality shaving with a President was mostly seen as an unavoidable chore back in the day).

Yes sir, I agree!! For many of us, shaving is no longer a chore to be tolerated but rather has become an enjoyable grooming ritual.

There has been some media coverage regarding wetshaving . . . it was a magazine article that shook me from my cartridge-razor-goo-in-a-can stupor in the first place!

The combined benefits of vintage DE and SE razors are enormous . . . better shaves, lower cost per shave, less environmental impact, and a coolness factor that is only topped by using a straight razor!

To address the OP's point . . . vintage razors in good condition can be purchased for small money . . . blades are dirt cheap . . . money is saved by vintage shaving. It is only after we latch onto the hobby aspect and become a collector of "all things shaving" that we blow the cost-saving argument out of the water.

Many of us also have other items that we collect . . . fountain pens, Zippo lighters, knives, coins, or stamps to name a few . . . so why not have a few dozen razors on the shelf as well?? At least I can claim some use from them, since my stamp collection only functions as something to look at!!

 

[ouch]

I don't see any irony here. So what if you could have purchased a fat boy for $10 ten years ago and have to cough up $40 today. You can still use it for another fifty years. Amortized over that period, it may as well still be $10. Yesterday, I saw a four-pack of proglide blades at the market for $18.49. In a month they'll be in a landfill.

Moreover, the higher prices are generally commanded by items that are really worth it- the rare, mint, and collectible.

 

[DE Shaver]

You can purchase a razor, brush, soap and blades for a nominal amount of money and begin wet shaving. However, the cost of DE shaving as a hobby, however, can escalate this cost but that's a decision made by the individual.

 

[apino]

However, the cost of DE shaving as a hobby, however, can escalate this cost but that's a decision made by the individual.

Yes. I carefully contemplated the pros and cons in front of the bathroom mirror before consciously submitting to RAD.

 

[AnB_Daddy]

I don't mind the cost of the razors, soaps, creams, ASB's, etc... I enjoy the options I have we getting ready for the day, the extra time I spend on myself, and how much better my skin feels after shaving with a DE. It has definitely made me feel better about taking care of myself.