Too Perfect to Shave With

[slamjet]

I purchased and received a 1964 Gillette Silver Tech J-1 in the mail today.

My Dilemma? It looks so untouched that I'm afraid to shave with it. I don't even want to get a water drop on it it's in such perfect shape. I may buy a box frame and hang it on my wall.

Anyone else have a razor they don't shave with but will never part with it?

 

[Dubbya]

Nope. Every razor I own is used. The few that I have found as NOS are used for special occasions, but they are used.

 

[luvmysuper]

Nope.

Every one I buy I shave with. Even the ones in the display case.

 

[thunderball]

Nah. Use 'em all.

 

[saltypete]

They were made to be used, so I don't feel guilty using them.

Pete

 

[Prince]

Same here. I use 'em all.

 

[spinyeel]

Same here. I use 'em all.

It's only a Tech. Use the bugger.

 

[Wil Dorenbos]

I purchased and received a 1964 Gillette Silver Tech J-1 in the mail today.

My Dilemma? It looks so untouched that I'm afraid to shave with it. I don't even want to get a water drop on it it's in such perfect shape. I may buy a box frame and hang it on my wall.

Anyone else have a razor they don't shave with but will never part with it?

I only use NOS razors. So I would say use it.

 

[highball]

use it

 

[curtis909]

Life as they say is short use it.

 

[Slivovitz]

I use them all. OTOH, although I've gotten a couple that were in really great condition, none looked factory fresh.

Still, even if I acquired an NOS, verifiably still in the original packaging razor, I'd horrify the collectors and accept a 90% instant drop in value, open it up, and shave with it.

But of course, for those collectors who do like to to put shiny, unused looking razors in a display case, and keep them unused, there's nothing wrong with that. It's not about what we'd do, it's about what you want.

 

[redbike]

I only buy razors I intend to use.

 

[hypo_style]

slamjet, I understand your feelings on this. I struggle with this every time I've found a mint-condition or NOS razor (which has only happened three times thus far). But generally, I consider myself a shaver and not a collector, and if I can't use it, it's hard for me to justify having paid for it.

 

[michael.scheller]

Eh Hemm.... Photos?!?!?!

 

[SteelCity]

Use it, daily!

A few weeks ago I purchased a NOS Bristish Aristocrat No. 66 (1953). The razor and case looked(s) like it came straight from Tiffany's. I'm using it daily.

 

[MrGuy]

The only razor I keep under any sort of "limit" is my 1905 double ring. It comes out on November 15th every year, which happens to be my birthday. I don't force myself to stick to using it just once per year, but with so many other choices it tends to stay in the display the rest of the time.

 

[Circa1929]

Yes, I own several razors,.. old early safety razors to straight ones,.... every one has been used at some point or another.

I generally use my old 1910 Gillette safety razor,... sometimes my Rolls also which gives a great shave.

 

[Fatboy Slimhandle]

Well, I'm kind of a skinflint. If I found an actual NOS, unused razor of any value (let's just say, worth ~$50 or more) I'd probably just sell it and find a nice looking example of that same razor that has been used.

I'm not a collector, but I can respect collectors that seek out NOS pieces for display only. With mass-produced things like Gillette razors, used but useful examples are not hard to find so I'd just hunt a bit longer if it was a razor I really wanted to try.

A NOS Tech... I'd probably just go ahead and use it.

 

[JPM]

If I buy them, they're gonna get used.

 

[brianw]

I buy them, I use them or PIF them