Vintage eBay straight performance?

[Nizzyrate]

I just wanted to get some other opinions here because my experience is limited. I've been shaving for almost a year with the same 60 dollar straight that I bought on eBay. All technique variables aside, is a straight a straight when it comes down to basic performance or would a more expensive razor give me a sharper edge or yield a smoother, closer shave?

Also, does anyone else have a "New England" brand straight razor which is what I think mine is (kind of hard to tell) and what is your opinion of them?

 

[michiganlover]

There are some really bad quality straights manufactured overseas, and sold through E-Bay. So saying a straight is a straight is a pretty big generalization.

From my limited experience, the really expensive straights have more exotic scales. This has no impact on shave quality.

There were some amazing vintage straights, but logically there had to be some poor quality ones as well.

 

[Seraphim]

More expensive does not necessarily equal better shaves.

But buying new razors is always fun!

 

[Go West Young Man]

Blades actually have different shapes and thicknesses, and which one works for your face is a matter of personal preference. There's no way to know if a different razor would work for you other than trying it!

And remember, what you paid on eBay has little relation to an item's value or quality. If it's vintage, maybe you got into a bidding war and overpaid, or maybe it slipped by un-noticed and you got a fantastic deal.

 

[Desdinova]

a large part in a razor becoming more expensive is the material used in the scales.

 

[professorchaos]

More expensive does not necessarily equal better shaves.

But buying new razors is always fun!

Yes indeed!

To answer the OP's question, I have plenty of vintage straights purchased off of Ebay that are excellent shavers. Some were very inexpensive, others not so much.