What would you do? Use it, save it, or sell it?

[K.T.]

I went to local antique store the other day found an Eversharp I2 Hydro-magic Injector. I paid what I thought was a reasonable price for it. It came complete with razor, the case, the injector cartridge, and the folded up instructions.

After I got home, I realized that it had never been used: it was complete with the dummy cartridge inside, and all the blades stacked up inside the injector cartridge. There were no marks on the cartridge to indicate it had ever been slid into the razor.

I've always bought razors in order to use them, and this was the first time I had purchased a vintage razor that was essentially in new condition. I'm at a loss of what to do.

On the one hand I want to try out the Injector system. I've always been curious about it and I now have one. On the other hand, I keep thinking someone will value the newness of the razor more than I do, and might want to buy it.

Add to the mix that I actually like the look of the more recent vintage Injectors, like the L type and the adjustable M type, and that's another reason to keep it unused - to sell or trade for one of these. But that's also more effort and hassle.

I do have it sitting right in front of me, and I would like to try it out. But I'm wondering if I would be happier going for the L or M type, and keeping the Hydro-Magic unused to maximize the resale value. What would you do?

P.S. - I'm not the person selling essentially the same set on the bay for $150. Could it possibly go for that much?

K.T.

 

[koso]

If you have doubts about shaving with it, I would say don't shave with it. Lots of shave-grade injectors out there. You cross that line, there's no going back.

I'd probably hang on to it, decide later what to do with it.

 

[Chester]

I'd say just hang onto it. If you want to use one, find one that's less complete (do you really need the instructions to know how to use it?) and more broken-in. If you don't like it, you can unload it. Or, just use it, and enjoy it.

As a counterpoint, I have nice old aristocrat in great shape that I use every couple weeks. I keep it clean and put it back in the box when I'm done.

I don't claim to know what you like, or how you treat what you like.

Myself, I have good china and -=I use it=- because I like eating off of nice plates every now and again. Some people put the good dishes on the shelf and never eat a bite off of them. They're not wrong, IMO, they just have a different approach to the utility and enjoyment of dishes than I do.

Hope it helps,
-- Chet

 

[Slivovitz]

What I personally would do? Shave with it. No real interest in selling anything anyway, don't care about collecting for the sake of collecting, and if I want to shave with a particular kind of vintage razor, it's a bonus if I'm the first to have used it, or even might have been.

I actually have a Personna injector in the original blister pack with a magazine of Personna 74 blades. It will be opened in due course, and both the razor and blades will be used.

What you "should" do? Only you can answer that. You might indeed make a profit if you sell it. Ebay buyers, only able to see photographs, might be a bit more suspicious about the probably unused condition. I'd be surprised to see that other one go for $150, but who knows? Or it may please you to have it on a shelf in its pristine condition. Not my thing, but it's your razor.

Oh, one other thing that's nice about the hydro-magic injector if you do decide to use it. The hydro-magic lever makes it easier to rinse it out and keep it reasonably clean.

 

[Aevum]

i have the same question about my White handled bakelite tech, i´ve only seen one of those,

 

[LordTyranus]

Why did you buy it in the first place ? To use it or to resell it with a profit ?

I think you should just stick to your first idea.
As far as I'm concerned, whatever kind of collectible is concerned (razors, watches...), I don't take into account the resale value as my pleasure is to use/wear the item, not to resell it.

But anyway, do what your heart tells you

 

[Hayden]

Would be to hard not to try it once.

 

[valmara1971]

I have the same question on not one but two razors lucky me eh? Not!

 

[theperfectstorm]

Dude, if the one on eBay sold for $35 instead of $100+ would we even be having this conversation? Do what you would do if you had never seen the eBay auction. Do not let some clueless "glasgowgoodies"-level razor pimp change the way you view these things.

Anyway, you said you wanted to try an injector. Well, I don't think you will find a better opportunity than this.

 

[Maul555]

get some new blades and use it gently... That way you can keep it all origional and use it still.

 

[natchez]

If you are not interested in being a collector, why not sell it to someone who is? Take the profits and invest in stuff you are comfortable using. There are plenty of razors and assorted stuff out there to try. Once it is used it is used, no going back as noted above. Mint is not the same as NIB to collectors!

 

[Pioneer]

Man I would pamper myself on a weekend shave with that beaut as a test run, rinse it off, and use it for special occasions!

 

[brianw]

I'd use it

 

[DESkydiver]

I'd use it too. You currently have a "mint" condition razor, and if you use it and take proper care in cleaning, you still have a "near mint" condition razor. The injector and packaging I would keep intact, so buying different blades would be prudent.

 

[ctakim]

NOS/mint is different from near mint. It is has never ever been used. Buy a shaver grade and keep or sell this.

 

[johnmrson]

I set myself some ground rules when my RAD kicked in. The first was that all razors were made to be shave with and therefore that's what they should do, at least on a semi regular basis. The second was that I will never sell a razor. If for some reason I don't want or need a razor anymore, then give it to someone who will get some use out of it. If you can't afford to give it away, then you should be keeping it or shouldn't have bought it in the first place. I think I've PIF'd 7 or 8 Aristocrats or Milords to the blokes on the Great Southern Land social group. They were ones that I'd pick up as neglected razors for a good price. I'd cleaned them up, and they are now back being used again.


My advise it to use it.

 

[El Jefe Ayon]

Tools deserve to be used. Shave with it.

 

[luvmysuper]

If you are a real collector - stick it in a case and don't touch it.

Otherwise, sell it to some poor sap who IS a collector.

Then take the proceeds and buy one that has already been used, and a few others with the extra cash.

 

[BlakeW5]

Honestly, it it were brand-new I'd either collect it or sell it to someone who is. Then use the money to by a gently used one.

Things are only brand new once and it isn't like the factory will be making anymore of them. If you don't want to collect it, sell it to someone who will really appreciate it and get another for you to use.

 

[Slivovitz]

Honestly, it it were brand-new I'd either collect it or sell it to someone who is. Then use the money to by a gently used one.

Things are only brand new once and it isn't like the factory will be making anymore of them. If you don't want to collect it, sell it to someone who will really appreciate it and get another for you to use.

Not exactly disagreeing, because, of course, it's just a matter of opinion. I'd say, though, that many of the shavers who would use it do appreciate it. They appreciate being able to use a razor that's in brand new condition just as much as a collector enjoys sticking it in a display cabinet. The practical shaver doesn't need to feel any obligation to the collector. Whoever gets hold of it first does what he wants. Of course, being able to sell it at a profit is a consideration, but again, that's up to the owner.