For anyone who has not tried bidding for vintage razors on ebay . . . don't do what I did.
Background - I started as someone who never understood the idea of vintage razors. I figured that large companies spending who knows how much money on razor designs would only be improvements over older models. I also didn't like the idea of using previously used razors (I am pretty germ phobic).
This all changed when Chadao posted a pic of a really shiny/clean vintage Gillette New after I had been reading about how the Gillette New open comb is a great shaver/very friendly/cuts through thick beards/washes your car/does your taxes/provides a consistent sense of sublime ecstasy and divine oneness with the universe with each and every shave. So . . .
I ordered a Gillette New long comb, and it is now my favorite razor. As effective as my 2013 Muhle R41 but friendlier and much less likely to nick/scrape. And aside from the inevitable tarnishing, looks really cool. Except the handle.
I then decided to try to find different vintage razors to see if I could improve upon this and to find a razor that would take many different handles without needing to be drilled. So . . . I have been surfing ebay and have been browsing razor listings. A LOT.
The bottom line - in addition to buying a $35 Gillette Goodwill with the studs protruding through the top cap (worthy buy), I also have placed bids on stuff that, on reflection, either 1) isn't stuff that I actually want, or 2) is nice but is a poor substitute for what I am actually looking for.
I am currently the high bidder on a pack of 4 razors in need of a lot of cleaning where I have realized . . . I don't want ANY of them. OK, there are 2 New long combs and having a backup/travel long comb would be a good idea, but I don't need any of this. I will have in my possession a Muhle R89 (first razor), Feather Popular, Merkur Slant 39c barberpole, Muhle R41 2013, Merkur 1904 open comb, Matador Toro Mastiff, Gillette New long comb, Gillette New short comb, Gillette Goodwill, Gillette 7 O' Clock, and possibly a Matador Capa Dorado.
I am not a collector, except that the Goodwill looks like a nice collector's razor. And that engraved President with the fancy leather baroque case would have been cool. And I still plan on replating any New's that I keep!
How many do I shave with? 1! How many do I want to end up with? Ideally, the 2 Muhle's and the 4 Gillette New variations (and possibly the Slant). Or less to much less depending on how they shave and compare.
In short, if I win this darn auction (and I really hope someone outbids me), I will be PIF'ing it. I assume a PIF is where I throw unneeded/unwanted shaving stuff into a box and mail it to a fellow member to use and enjoy, and then if they don't care for stuff in the box then they PIF it as well (pay it forward). If I do win, it'll be $20 or less (plus s/h), but I am feeling the pull of decluttering and need to get rid of what I don't really use and enjoy.
Too long, didn't read - be mindful and careful on ebay and only bid on what you actually WANT.
Background - I started as someone who never understood the idea of vintage razors. I figured that large companies spending who knows how much money on razor designs would only be improvements over older models. I also didn't like the idea of using previously used razors (I am pretty germ phobic).
This all changed when Chadao posted a pic of a really shiny/clean vintage Gillette New after I had been reading about how the Gillette New open comb is a great shaver/very friendly/cuts through thick beards/washes your car/does your taxes/provides a consistent sense of sublime ecstasy and divine oneness with the universe with each and every shave. So . . .
I ordered a Gillette New long comb, and it is now my favorite razor. As effective as my 2013 Muhle R41 but friendlier and much less likely to nick/scrape. And aside from the inevitable tarnishing, looks really cool. Except the handle.
I then decided to try to find different vintage razors to see if I could improve upon this and to find a razor that would take many different handles without needing to be drilled. So . . . I have been surfing ebay and have been browsing razor listings. A LOT.
The bottom line - in addition to buying a $35 Gillette Goodwill with the studs protruding through the top cap (worthy buy), I also have placed bids on stuff that, on reflection, either 1) isn't stuff that I actually want, or 2) is nice but is a poor substitute for what I am actually looking for.
I am currently the high bidder on a pack of 4 razors in need of a lot of cleaning where I have realized . . . I don't want ANY of them. OK, there are 2 New long combs and having a backup/travel long comb would be a good idea, but I don't need any of this. I will have in my possession a Muhle R89 (first razor), Feather Popular, Merkur Slant 39c barberpole, Muhle R41 2013, Merkur 1904 open comb, Matador Toro Mastiff, Gillette New long comb, Gillette New short comb, Gillette Goodwill, Gillette 7 O' Clock, and possibly a Matador Capa Dorado.
I am not a collector, except that the Goodwill looks like a nice collector's razor. And that engraved President with the fancy leather baroque case would have been cool. And I still plan on replating any New's that I keep!How many do I shave with? 1! How many do I want to end up with? Ideally, the 2 Muhle's and the 4 Gillette New variations (and possibly the Slant). Or less to much less depending on how they shave and compare.
In short, if I win this darn auction (and I really hope someone outbids me), I will be PIF'ing it. I assume a PIF is where I throw unneeded/unwanted shaving stuff into a box and mail it to a fellow member to use and enjoy, and then if they don't care for stuff in the box then they PIF it as well (pay it forward). If I do win, it'll be $20 or less (plus s/h), but I am feeling the pull of decluttering and need to get rid of what I don't really use and enjoy.
Too long, didn't read - be mindful and careful on ebay and only bid on what you actually WANT.
