What to do with a NOS/Mint vintage razor? Use or not?

[il dottore]

I just won a '50s Tech made in England by 7 O'Clock en eBay. Cost a bit more than I was prepared to pay, but look at that box! All green and shiny!

I bought it to use it, but as the delivery nears I started to think that maybe it's a pity to un-mint it? I'm no collector though, so in that case I have no interest in keeping the razor. What do you guys think? Is a NOS razor still a tool, or is it a collectable rarity?

 

[Haegar]

I've got a NOS Tech of my birth year's quarter and will open it on my 50th birthday to shave with it. This will not yet be this year. I will keep the original package though. Not sure if I would do the same with a NOS double ring though.

With your razor, if not wanting to make a few extra $$$ (not to many, I believe), I just would use it. Also, most "normal" people never ever would use a used razor.

 

[JSB33]

I acquired a NOS 1915 Pocket edition with original box and instructions that has been in the family since new.

My plan is to use it on its hundredth birthday. I don't care about what it may or may not do to the value as I will never sell it anyway, I will pass it along to the next generation.

 

[Haggises]

If it's an investment - don't use it.
If it's for display or collection - don't use it.

If neither of the above apply, use that razor for what it's been waiting for 60 years.

 

[Foyle]

Dude, shave with it. It's not like you're going to sell it for a small fortune. Use it and enjoy it. Then, let the next generation do the same when you hand it down.

 

[larzone]

All razors was ment to use. Use it!!

 

[SteveWY]

I "collect" but that is secondary. I say, use it!

 

[chamm]

Personally, I intend to use all of the razors I purchase. I would probably avoid paying the extra $$$ for a NOS (unless it wasn't significant) but IMHO, these things were made to be used. That doesn't mean I don't take care of my babies, but I never believed in buying something to sit there and look at, and the value of these isn't really high enough to consider them a serious investment. (Unless we're talking about buying dozens or hundreds, in which case, I'd soon become un-married...)

 

[martym]

Display the box if you want but shave with the razor.
that is why you bought it!

 

[mswofford]

Alberto, I understand your dilemma; I have a Gillette New SC NIB complete with paper razor blade "Use only Gillette Blades". And I have a Gillette NEW LC red and black box set that I got from a high end collector who "shaved with it once or twice to make sure it's functional". Yikes! I'm no help at all......

 

[rajagra]

Invoke the 5-minute rule (the shaving equivalent of the 5-second rule for dropped food.)
If the shave lasts less than 5 minutes it doesn't count, so the razor remains NOS.

 

[KindestCutofAll]

Keep good care of it, but definately use it.

Very few will appreciate it in your display cabinet. However you will appreciate it greatly each tim e you shave with it.

 

[il dottore]

Dude, shave with it. It's not like you're going to sell it for a small fortune. Use it and enjoy it. Then, let the next generation do the same when you hand it down.

My plan exactly. I like the direction this thread is going
Of course I never thought using this razor would be a huge loss of value (not much value to lose here!), it was more from the viewpoint of a historical document so to speak. I guess my question was also meant to gauge the community's opinion on a more general level, not just for this specific piece.
That said, if I ever bought a NOS Rhodium Aristocrat I'd probably be a bit more nervous and use it seldom! But even then we're talking about industrially produced consumer goods, albeit luxury ones.

 

[WesternModern]

It's not fair to the razor if you don't use it....start shaving.
The box though, is SWEET! You should build a display in your bathroom around that.

 

[nehpets4627]

Sell it and buy 5 user grade, replated, or new production razors with the profit (except in the case of it being a family heirloom).

 

[il dottore]

Sell it and buy 5 user grade, replated, or new production razors with the profit (except in the case of it being a family heirloom).

I'll do that when I get my hands on this bad boy at a flea market (there's actually one on eBay right now, already at $100 with one week left. Yikes!)! If I resell this one I can buy at most 3 aluminium Techs with the profits!
I have to say I'm little surprised about how the poll is going: I thought that a enthusiast community like this one would have more collectors and historians. Glad to be between like-minded people

 

[Eeyore]

There are enough razors in used condition. Save the mint ones for the next generations.

 

[il dottore]

There are enough razors in used condition. Save the mint ones for the next generations.

Oh man! Now you're making me feel guilty!
I'll take good care of it, I promise. Someone has to document the inside of that box (or any box), right?

 

[Prof. Moriarty]

If it's an investment - don't use it.
If it's for display or collection - don't use it.

If neither of the above apply, use that razor for what it's been waiting for 60 years.

^This

 

[Eeyore]

Oh man! Now you're making me feel guilty!
I'll take good care of it, I promise. Someone has to document the inside of that box (or any box), right?

It's just my opinion ... I know others feel otherwise.