New v. Vintage Straights

[JonnyAngel]

Maybe its just me, but I cant see paying the prices for some of the newer straights. Since Ive been wetshaving Ive seen the prices for mass produced razors go through the roof! You cant get a really nice razor for under 250 these days it seems. You can get a decent steel with no frills for around 150ish.

But then we have Vintage Straights. I hear of guys picking up blades for close to nothing all the time. My personal example is my 7/8 Herder I got for 25 bucks that has no rust, but looks like its been tarnished for the last 50 years. Full resto, rescale and honing for 135. So I can get a semi-custom resto vintage straight for 160! Why waste your time with New Mass Produced blades with quality control issues?

One more point-Isnt part of the fun in doing it old school using something thats old school? Just my two cents! YMMV, etc etc etc....

 

[Thebigspendur]

It depends how you approach this thing. Some look at it like a hobby and buy legions of everything and on the other extreme are guys who have 1 razor and 1 of everything and that's all they need. If your in that boat buying a new razor for 250 or a custom for alot more which you will use almost everyday for the rest of your life isn't that big an expense.

personally I agree the best value lies in a quality vintage blade you've worked on yourself however at the same time there's a special feeling about geting a brand spanking new blade. Kind of the same feeling as putting on a new pair of western boots.

 

[JonnyAngel]

My first razor was the B&B LE which seems to be destined for immortality so I cant say I hate new razors, but if someone wanted to get their money's worth for just one blade Id send them to get something off the Bay and get a full resto!

The work that guys like SixGun and Traveler do on SPR is just amazing for the money! Also, what if you want something other than a full hollow? You aren't likely to find that in a new blade. This was the reason they there arent anymore 1/4 hollow Le Grelots left. That gap isnt filled in the new markey so guys go vintage. Again, YMMV!

 

[Luc]

Agreed with the OP.

I'm not buying vintage razors for the price but for the quality. If they survived 50years, they will survive me!

 

[Leche]

Also, what if you want something other than a full hollow? You aren't likely to find that in a new blade.

I think new blades (mass produced, not custom) have very little choice. Full hollow, round point, and 5/8 is pretty much the standard and dominating style. Yes there are some spikes and some larger blades and there is some fudge factor with the "full hollow" label but for some serious variety in style, grind, and size it's vintage all the way.

 

[mparker762]

I tried and tried, but just can't find vintage Livi's or new Torrey's.

 

[Bruce]

I tried and tried, but just can't find vintage Livi's or new Torrey's.

 

[Phoenix_one]

There are several brands of Vintage razor which can be acquired at a very, very low price that can be a real good working razor.

For the frugal shaver or the beginner they are not only a great buy but a real pleasure to shave.

Sometimes we just want something that will work well, not much to look at, but the results are equal if not greater than a $100 to $200 razor.

 

[English]

You can always find a bargain and certainly in the world of open razors, some of the vintage blades from England, Sweden , Germany, France and Spain are legendary.

But today, good antique store finds are few and far between. There are still new old stock German, Spanish and French razors to be found. But generally speaking, the starting price of good new or unused razors is $150.

But I agree that to find a little used vintage razor in an antique store or on e bay, polish and sharpen it up and then find that it shaves like silk gives a great feeling of satisfaction and personal achievement.

 

[professorchaos]

One could argue that the Le Grelot is a vintage blade. It was, after all, made from vintage blanks.

Actually, I have a strong preference for the vintage stuff. Whether or not it shaves better than the new is debatable, I suppose. But I think it does. What's more, it is very rewarding to breath new life into something 100+ years old.

 

[English]

I agree, Le Grelot I see as new old stock. I was fortunate to own a 5/8" singing hollow ground from Le Grelot and it was as good as they come. I have not tried the ones from Thiers Issard, but generally TI has earned a very high reputation and commands respect. But it is at a price.

On E bay, you can find new "old stock" Puma's , ERN, Elkistuna, Filarmonica Palmera to name but a few and these are all top quality products made of steels that are known to give a smooth shave. But you have to take your chance in an auction and be prepared to pay a reasonable price. They tend to be razors from about the 1950"s.

Soon I think these NOS blades will disappear. I am still amazed that people find them in cupboards or old barber shops.

Once they are gone though, the cost of a good razor will I am sure be going upwards.

The guys who restore do a great job and put up for sale some amazing work at what for me seems very low profit for the work they put in. So for beginners, the forums offer a great let in.

To be honest though we all only really need one good razor.

The prices are going up because of all those guys on shaving forums that hoard all the good stuff.

 

[professorchaos]

I agree, Le Grelot I see as new old stock. I was fortunate to own a 5/8" singing hollow ground from Le Grelot and it was as good as they come. I have not tried the ones from Thiers Issard, but generally TI has earned a very high reputation and commands respect. But it is at a price.

On E bay, you can find new "old stock" Puma's , ERN, Elkistuna, Filarmonica Palmera to name but a few and these are all top quality products made of steels that are known to give a smooth shave. But you have to take your chance in an auction and be prepared to pay a reasonable price. They tend to be razors from about the 1950"s.

Soon I think these NOS blades will disappear. I am still amazed that people find them in cupboards or old barber shops.

Once they are gone though, the cost of a good razor will I am sure be going upwards.

The guys who restore do a great job and put up for sale some amazing work at what for me seems very low profit for the work they put in. So for beginners, the forums offer a great let in.

To be honest though we all only really need one good razor.

The prices are going up because of all those guys on shaving forums that hoard all the good stuff.

I like to blame the collectors for the high prices. And they don't even shave with 'em!!

BTW, how, exactly, do you define hoarding? 10, 100, 1000? I figure a rolling stock of 100 is adequate for my needs...

 

[Chimensch]

BTW, how, exactly, do you define hoarding? 10, 100, 1000? I figure a rolling stock of 100 is adequate for my needs...

There is a logical answer. You could have a 7-day set and a 7-day set can't be less than 7, so clearly 7 isn't hoarding. If it's a nice set, you can't travel with it and risk losing it in your checked luggage, so obviously you need another razor to travel with and 8 isn't hoarding. Now, you might drop your razor in the hotel, so you need a spare, which makes 9. There you have it ... more than 9 is hoarding.

 

[professorchaos]

There is a logical answer. You could have a 7-day set and a 7-day set can't be less than 7, so clearly 7 isn't hoarding. If it's a nice set, you can't travel with it and risk losing it in your checked luggage, so obviously you need another razor to travel with and 8 isn't hoarding. Now, you might drop your razor in the hotel, so you need a spare, which makes 9. There you have it ... more than 9 is hoarding.

I calculate it along similar lines. Seven seven day sets for symmetry. Symmetry is critical. Every seven day set should have an 8th razor, to maintain symmetry in the event of an emergency. A base of 56 razors. One more 7+1 set for back up and another for travel. 74 straights. Two straights at the GFs apartment. Brings us to 74 straight razors for a standard rotation. Of course not all 74 razors will be shave ready due to normal wear and tear, stock rotation, etc. Figure 1/3 of the razors will be out of rotation at any given time. Which takes us up to 99 straights.

So my answer (to my own question) is: 100.

 

[gugi]

So my answer (to my own question) is: 100.

... some day....

and it really isn't all that important from which side you approach the asymptote

 

[professorchaos]

... some day....

and it really isn't all that important from which side you approach the asymptote

Some day you'll be up to 100, right?