My first eBay razor showed up today

[zxcvbob]

A Schick Krona twist-to-open. It's probably a later model because it has SCHICK KRONA on the doors.

I don't know why the seller left a used blade in it; maybe just to check out the mechanics of it. The auction picture looked like it had a lot of soap and hard water crud build up, but it was really just a soap film and some rust stains; it cleaned up easily with just a light scrub with some toothpaste.

I have it soaking now in some Barbicide-like hospital cleaner (quaternary ammonium.) I'll give it a test drive tomorrow morning with a new blade.

 

[rxonmymind]

 

[BBrad]

Many eBay sellers subscribe to the rules of antiques:

1. Patina adds value, so don't clean anything.

2. Accessory items add value, so don't toss the old (and dangerous) blade.

3. Antiques are to be collected, displayed, and admired.

It kills them that after cleaning and polishing them, we install a fresh blade and actually use these valuable antiques for their intended purpose!

(Glad you didn't get cut by the old blade.)

 

[Maxime D.]

Many eBay sellers subscribe to the rules of antiques:

1. Patina adds value, so don't clean anything.

2. Accessory items add value, so don't toss the old (and dangerous) blade.

3. Antiques are to be collected, displayed, and admired.

It kills them that after cleaning and polishing them, we install a fresh blade and actually use these valuable antiques for their intended purpose!

(Glad you didn't get cut by the old blade.)

But they ain't all like that, let's be fair.

 

[zxcvbob]

That's a good point about the "patina". I know rebluing a valuable old gun, even getting it factory reblued, ruins the value.

I ordered an old and desirable model Gillette razor from one of the vendors here last week and I'm having it replated. If it had been a really rare one, I would have left it with the original finish (what was left of the finish.) This Schick is very common razor and only 30 or 40 years old, if the seller had cleaned it up he probably could have got twice as much for it -- but then I wouldn't have won it. I'm glad it easily cleaned up so nice.

The old blade still has me stumped, but you might be right.

 

[BBrad]

But they ain't all like that, let's be fair.

That's why I used the word "many" as instead of "most" or "all" . . . saying "all ebay sellers subscribe to the rules of antiques" would certainly be incorrect as well as unfair.

 

[Sir Lurkalot]

Nice avatar zxc, that was one of my favoite "The Twilight Zone" episodes.

 

[chado006]

2. Accessory items add value, so don't toss the old (and dangerous) blade.

Agreed, that old blade is a collector's item, you can't throw it away! It just blows me away every time I see an auction for a bunch of used blades.

 

[zxcvbob]

Nice avatar zxc, that was one of my favoite "The Twilight Zone" episodes.

Thanks, I thought it was a face fitting for a shaving forum. (It was either that, or the gremlin from "Nightmare at 20000 Feet")

My favorite TTZ episode is probably "It's a Good Life". It still makes me cringe every time I see it.

 

[zxcvbob]

I shaved with it this morning, with a Wilkinson blade. I realized halfway along why I was having problems; I was bearing down like I was using a plastic disposable razor rather than just using the weight of the metal razor! One-pass shave, and no cuts or scrapes but I think I removed more skin than whiskers. Will shave with the electric tomorrow to give my face a day to grow back, then try it again (2 or 3 gentler passes) this weekend.

I also need to work on my lathering technique (face-lathering with cheap Tweezerman badger brush and VDH soap puck)