Vintage non Gillette razors

[Medivh]

I think this is true. Wilkinson Sticky was thought to be rare 10 years ago and sold more than $150 but it is quite common. and the same goes for Barbasol Floating head, Eclipse Red Ring, Leresche 77 and Kirby Beard,etc.

True, I've seen a lot of caseless Barbasol FT's and Eclipse Red Rings in decent condition going for around or less than $100. I regret not getting a Barbasol FT when I had the chance, but at that moment I was only collecting Gillette razors and I didn't really care for anything else.

All of those razors are uncommon at best, but not rare. The definition of what a rare razor is for most people is not even remotely true. For instance, some folks still believe that razors like the Gillette TTO Aristocrats both US and British, Ranger Tech, F4-D1 Toggle, President, Single Ring, Fatboy and countless other razors are ''rare'' and that is one of the reason why they get more attention and the prices go up. While some of these rares are indeed more special than others and for one or another reason are more desirable and more expensive, not a single one of them is rare and that goes even if they are with cases.

 

[Cha-wing!!]

@Cha-wing!! has tried them both and his verdict is clear and accurate : to him, the #9 is far superior to the #15/17 in terms of shaving results, quality built, etc...

But of course, opinions are subjective and can vary easily from individual to another.

I continue to stand by that affirmation But of course, YMMV, and this should always be the case. A very simple and clear example of different positions (pun intended) is that, considering the very big number of people I see using the 15/17 and liking it (these razors are not rare in France, although very sought after, so many french users have one), I can be near-objectively sure it is a good razor, although it is really not for me. Same thing goes with the Le Coq Licence Palmer : many love it, I hate it.

One thought, if I continue hating what most people find good, I might not be of good advice

 

[Whammami]

I continue to stand by that affirmation But of course, YMMV, and this should always be the case. A very simple and clear example of different positions (pun intended) is that, considering the very big number of people I see using the 15/17 and liking it (these razors are not rare in France, although very sought after, so many french users have one), I can be near-objectively sure it is a good razor, although it is really not for me. Same thing goes with the Le Coq Licence Palmer : many love it, I hate it.

One thought, if I continue hating what most people find good, I might not be of good advice

Did you use a Gibbs blade or a modified modern one?
For the adjustable le coq, did you use the Zamak or the brass one (They have different heads)?

 

[Cha-wing!!]

I used a modified modern one, I always use the same brand now that I have found my favorite (Triton R3).

Regarding the Le Coq, good question, the head of the zamak version is indeed bulkier. I honestly don't remember now (I have both), it was a few years ago.

 

[preidy]

Hoffritz slant

 

[ayhan]

Apollo

 

[Medivh]

Judging by this handle, can anyone tell me of which razor might belong to?

 

[romsitsa]

Generic "Solingen" handle from the 30ies and upwards. Can be whatever is stamped on the bottom of the handle or onto the box. Pure zamak as is the head.
For eg. ROMI:

http://www.solingen-internet.de/si-hgw/images/si-rasierklingen-s29.jpg

 

[Medivh]

Generic "Solingen" handle from the 30ies and upwards. Can be whatever is stamped on the bottom of the handle or onto the box. Pure zamak as is the head.
For eg. ROMI:

http://www.solingen-internet.de/si-hgw/images/si-rasierklingen-s29.jpg

I found it quite cheap, but since it's nothing special and it's zamak, I think I would pass. Thanks again for saving me some time and money.

 

[Kaldane]

Here's a PAL - the British-made version of the STAR 100. It's good.

 

[Medivh]

Here's a PAL - the British-made version of the STAR 100. It's good.

View attachment 1616117

How does it shave compared to the Star 100?

 

[Medivh]

Generic "Solingen" handle from the 30ies and upwards. Can be whatever is stamped on the bottom of the handle or onto the box. Pure zamak as is the head.
For eg. ROMI:

http://www.solingen-internet.de/si-hgw/images/si-rasierklingen-s29.jpg

I was digging for some information about a couple of vintage razors and I came across these pictures. As soon as I saw the handle, I knew it was the same razor. Some describe it as ''rare'', but I'm not sure how rare would a zamak razor be.

 

[romsitsa]

If it is marked Globusmann, it is a Globusmann and as such can be a bit uncommon (very far from rare).
But it can be from 20 other brands, or unbraned as these were basically white label items.

 

[Medivh]

If it is marked Globusmann, it is a Globusmann and as such can be a bit uncommon (very far from rare).
But it can be from 20 other brands, or unbraned as these were basically white label items.

I think people just love to label things as rare, because they simply haven't seen much of this or that razor in the past few months and therefore they think it's rare. Some vintage razors, such as most the German ones in general were never really that popular to begin with or were made for a very short period of time only for the German market.

The truly rare vintage razors are mostly special or limited edition high end models, the custom made ones, those for the test market and of course, the prototypes.

 

[Kaldane]

How does it shave compared to the Star 100?

Afraid I don't have one of those. Yet. It's good against a 50s English ball end Tech - more substantial feel and a better grip on the handle - but I'll have to get back to you after I've done a bit more shopping.

 

[Northstonehill]

I continue to stand by that affirmation But of course, YMMV, and this should always be the case. A very simple and clear example of different positions (pun intended) is that, considering the very big number of people I see using the 15/17 and liking it (these razors are not rare in France, although very sought after, so many french users have one), I can be near-objectively sure it is a good razor, although it is really not for me. Same thing goes with the Le Coq Licence Palmer : many love it, I hate it.

One thought, if I continue hating what most people find good, I might not be of good advice

Thomas my friend, I am with you. The Gibbs is ok but the License Palmer was not to my liking. Don’t hold the blade tight. But it is beautiful allright. The Le Supreme on the other hand ticks all boxes….

 

[romsitsa]

I think people just love to label things as rare, because they simply haven't seen much of this or that razor in the past few months and therefore they think it's rare. Some vintage razors, such as most the German ones in general were never really that popular to begin with or were made for a very short period of time only for the German market.

The truly rare vintage razors are mostly special or limited edition high end models, the custom made ones, those for the test market and of course, the prototypes.

What I see is that the US has the largest market for vintage shaving stuff. So anything not common (but known) at the other side of the pond will be sought after all over the world.
Test market and prototype only adds value if it is Gillette and even then it has to be sought after/hyped up.
Most of the "rare" razors can be found continously on ebay, while there are truly rare ones which no one knows about, but it takes years till somewhere one pops up.

 

[Whammami]

@romsitsa @Medivh

Rare is irrelevant. Justifiably rare is relevant. An item that is produced in small batches that are copycats of a Gillette old type with a random name stamped on it is rare.But not justifiably rare. If that copycat has made to be offered to a few distinguished war heroes, then it is Justifiably rare.

Traps are everywhere to fish some fools. I was one of those and I probably still am on occasions.

Collecting is a hobby dominated by emotions. Emotions can be manipulated to exact a profit.

Example of known traps:

• Gillette Toggle. There is almost no a single day of the year where you don't see one selling. Most of the time there are a few. When I talk to some of these sellers, they got them for very cheap in antique shops.
• Gibbs adjustable razors, they could be found in France for bout 10 Eur and yet sold at 200 Eur
• Darwin razors, almost no day goes by without seeing one on sale.

Save your money, grow your collection and leave most of the expensive stuff for a much later stage of your collection. Because you will eventually find it for cheap at some point.

Ah, one more thing. Learn about a category before you delve into it. German, French, Bakelite, swivel, adjustable, etc...
Knowledge will save you a lot of money.

 

[Cha-wing!!]

Thomas my friend, I am with you. The Gibbs is ok but the License Palmer was not to my liking. Don’t hold the blade tight. But it is beautiful allright. The Le Supreme on the other hand ticks all boxes….

Yes it is beautiful, I kept two version in my collection, but I don't use them.

As for the Le Supreme, well this is again a model that I really didn't like Although damn, that razor is extremely cool...

 

[Ratpoison10]

Yep, Barbasol Floating Head one of my favorite.