NOS - To Use or Not to Use?

seahunter · Jul 21, 2014

Hello,

Just curious about other shavers. I am one who is known to buy things and keep them new and not use them. I just found a NOS birth-year razor that should be arriving in a few days. Part of me says to keep it NOS so it keeps its value, part of me says you only live once, use the thing! Just wondering how you guys look at it...

Thank you!

Silverirae · Jul 21, 2014

I'm not a "collector" per se. I feel everything in my stable should see equal use. My opinion of course

khun_diddy · Jul 21, 2014

I'd say it's meant for shaving with.

Mark1966 · Jul 21, 2014

It is your razor so do what you want!

If it was me though I would consider rarity and collectiblity - NOS can never become NOS again. I have some NOS and would NEVER use them, they are unique pieces and deserve for history sake to remain pristine. If it is a more common razor with lots of other NOS examples out there though - go for it!

On the other hand I have a complete NOS set (see here) - from my 1966 birth year. Slim Adjustable, Simpson butterscotch brush, Old Spice mug with soap (since also acquired Old Spice talc and splash). It is for my son's 18th birthday and I hope become a family heirloom. First used by him but connected to me. i don't have anything from my Dad so this is a tradition being started. I trust that he uses it.

seahunter · Jul 21, 2014

Mark1966 said:
It is your razor so do what you want!

If it was me though I would consider rarity and collectiblity - NOS can never become NOS again. I have some NOS and would NEVER use them, they are unique pieces and deserve for history sake to remain pristine. If it is a more common razor with lots of other NOS examples out there though - go for it!

On the other hand I have a complete NOS set (see here) - from my 1966 birth year. Slim Adjustable, Simpson butterscotch brush, Old Spice mug with soap (since also acquired Old Spice talc and splash). It is for my son's 18th birthday and I hope become a family heirloom. First used by him but connected to me. i don't have anything from my Dad so this is a tradition being started. I trust that he uses it.

Wonderful set Mark. That's the same exact razor I just purchased, but mine is a '64. Mine doesn't have the price tag or the instructions either. Thanks for the reply!

MicBaldy · Jul 21, 2014

What were your intentions when you bought it?

If you bought it to use it, use it. If not, don't.

Nick_O · Jul 21, 2014

Personally, I'm a user, not a collector. It's a presision tool that was built to be used. I've said it before, but it's like a carpenter buying a really nice hammer, and said hammer never seeing a nail. It's almost an insult to the maker to not use it. All his work was done for nothing. It may as well be no good, cause it'll never get to proove itself otherwise.
Just my opinion of course.

seahunter · Jul 21, 2014

Nick_O said:
Personally, I'm a user, not a collector. It's a presision tool that was built to be used. I've said it before, but it's like a carpenter buying a really nice hammer, and said hammer never seeing a nail. It's almost an insult to the maker to not use it. All his work was done for nothing. It may as well be no good, cause it'll never get to proove itself otherwise.
Just my opinion of course.

Thanks Nick, good analogy.

Nick_O · Jul 21, 2014

But it really depends on your intention when you bought it. Did you buy it to have and use your birthyear razor? Or did you buy it to have a NOS birthyear razor in your collection?

MSstrahan · Jul 21, 2014

I have a few NOS razors. I can't make myself use them, so I bought used versions of them to try. Still looking for a decent Wikinson Sword Empire set to try, because the one I bought was so NOS that the strop is still in its wrapper, and the blades are still coated with factory oil, which has congealed on them. I so want to use it, though!

seahunter · Jul 21, 2014

Nick_O said:
But it really depends on your intention when you bought it. Did you buy it to have and use your birthyear razor? Or did you buy it to have a NOS birthyear razor in your collection?

My original intention was to use it. I'm brand new to this hobby, so I don't even have a collection - yet! LOL. I haven't even taken delivery yet, so I figured I would see how it looks. Like MSstrahan said below, he has one that's so pristine he hesitates to use it - if it's that good, maybe not. It's not perfect - it's missing the price tag and the instructions. I'm looking for the instructions, but doubt I'll find the price tag. At this point I'm leaning toward using it and enjoying it.

chris.hale · Jul 22, 2014

Personally I wouldn't buy a razor and not use it, you may as well just look at a picture of it and save the money.

Ollie4ISU · Jul 22, 2014

There is no way I would open and use a birth year NOS Slim. There are thousands upon thousands of really, really nice opened Slims that can be used, but there just can't be that many 40+ year old NOS Slims out there. I think it would be a shame to make it just another Slim.

I found a basically NOS bowl of Houbigant Fougere Royale shaving soap. It has been opened, but the stamping is SO clear and defined, it is obviously unused. It also smells FANTASTIC. I can't bring myself to put a brush to it.......

I vote - leave it NOS

seahunter · Jul 22, 2014

Ollie4ISU said:
There is no way I would open and use a birth year NOS Slim. There are thousands upon thousands of really, really nice opened Slims that can be used, but there just can't be that many+ year old NOS Slims out there. I think it would be a shame to make it just another Slim.

I found a basically NOS bowl of Houbigant Fougere Royale shaving soap. It has been opened, but the stamping is SO clear and defined, it is obviously unused. It also smells FANTASTIC. I can't bring myself to put a brush to it.......

I vote - leave it NOS

Hmm, excellent argument for leaving it NOS. I really appreciate the input, that is exactly what I was hoping for - to see what others' opinions and reasons are!

Thanks Ollie4ISU.

August West · Jul 22, 2014

Things you collect usually end up donated to the Goodwill by your executor/ix.

Ducati Scotty · Jul 22, 2014

Unless you're putting it in a museum, use it

seahunter · Jul 22, 2014

chris.hale said:
Personally I wouldn't buy a razor and not use it, you may as well just look at a picture of it and save the money.

Thanks Chris, I see your point...

nuclearblast · Jul 22, 2014

August West said:
Things you collect usually end up donated to the Goodwill by your executor/ix.

Yup ...

Now the question for the OP is, do you want to be the one using it, or the guy who's gonna buy it and start a thread on B&B about the NOS razor he bought for $5.

Toothpick · Jul 22, 2014

Buy another NOS birth year razor. Use one, save the other as NOS.

Problem solved.

seahunter · Jul 22, 2014

August West said:
Things you collect usually end up donated to the Goodwill by your executor/ix.

Excellent point.

nuclearblast said:
Yup ...

Now the question for the OP is, do you want to be the one using it, or the guy who's gonna buy it and start a thread on B&B about the NOS razor he bought for $5.

Very compelling. And I also want to be the lucky guy who finds a NOS for $5!

Search

NOS - To Use or Not to Use?

seahunter

Silverirae

khun_diddy

Mark1966

seahunter

MicBaldy

Nick_O

seahunter

Nick_O

MSstrahan

seahunter

chris.hale

Ollie4ISU

seahunter

August West

Ducati Scotty

seahunter

nuclearblast

Toothpick

Needs milk and a bidet!

seahunter

Similar threads