Questionable & poor quality razors on Ebay

[The Invisible Edge]

I've had a look through this post and I couldn't agree more. I sell razors on eBay and as a matter of form always try to state exactly the quality, state of the piece etc. to prospective buyers. This much can be said from the business end: bad news is around the world before good news gets its shoes on. I am trying to build a decent name and to be honest I just do not know how some sellers get away with it. I think it's just because they come across an old razor and think 'what the hell, I'll shove it on eBay as a "collector's piece - rare!". Sure I've been burned when purchasing razors but it's part of a learning curve and I do expect when buying lots that 10+% will be useless. That's just business.

I look at some of these items like the Pakistani razors and shudder - god only knows where the steel comes from (anywhere from old tins to old tanks!) so there is no uniformity to the brand - it wouldn't even be so bad if the were uniformly poor - at least you would know what you're getting! Trouble is I've heard reports that say "wow got this Pakistani razor and it was brilliant!" Well anyone can get it right accidentally now and again!

I think that eventually the suppliers of cheap crap will pack (no pun intended) up and go home but by that time a lot of first time straight users will have chucked their "quality" razor in the bin and gone back to a remington. I would! This is one of the reasons I'm going to be selling Dovo - at least I'll be assured of quality and so will my buyers. Trouble is I really enjoy selling razors on eBay - simply because I like them and they've been a hobby for ages. I'd hate to see that degraded just because some people will sell anything to anyone. What do you think?

[catatonic]

Young is not a very good razor IMO, having owned one and trying to get it sharp....it just does not hold an edge. Only thing worthwhile from this razor was the imitation leather sleeve that comes with it, which is useful for travel storage.

The Sanguine was better than the Young out of the plastic sleeve it came in, but it still didn't hold an edge comparable to the quality razors I picked up later on.

I think they are excellent razors to use when learning to hone, since if a major messup was made, you are just out of a razor that's really nothing special.

[maclean3]

I've had a look through this post and I couldn't agree more. I sell razors on eBay and as a matter of form always try to state exactly the quality, state of the piece etc. to prospective buyers. This much can be said from the business end: bad news is around the world before good news gets its shoes on. I am trying to build a decent name and to be honest I just do not know how some sellers get away with it. I think it's just because they come across an old razor and think 'what the hell, I'll shove it on eBay as a "collector's piece - rare!". Sure I've been burned when purchasing razors but it's part of a learning curve and I do expect when buying lots that 10+% will be useless. That's just business.

I look at some of these items like the Pakistani razors and shudder - god only knows where the steel comes from (anywhere from old tins to old tanks!) so there is no uniformity to the brand - it wouldn't even be so bad if the were uniformly poor - at least you would know what you're getting! Trouble is I've heard reports that say "wow got this Pakistani razor and it was brilliant!" Well anyone can get it right accidentally now and again!

I think that eventually the suppliers of cheap crap will pack (no pun intended) up and go home but by that time a lot of first time straight users will have chucked their "quality" razor in the bin and gone back to a remington. I would! This is one of the reasons I'm going to be selling Dovo - at least I'll be assured of quality and so will my buyers. Trouble is I really enjoy selling razors on eBay - simply because I like them and they've been a hobby for ages. I'd hate to see that degraded just because some people will sell anything to anyone. What do you think?

I stumbled upon your website sometime back and I have to say, the historical section was very well written and enlightening. I was quite impressed with your private vintage collection and the vintage razors you're selling seem very well represented in terms of quality and selling price.

I'm no expert by any means but I have a 5/8 Dovo honed by Tony Miller that gives great shaves. While it's my understanding that they DO require honing to be shave ready, I think it's a great choice for someone looking to buy an affordable NIB razor.
Jack

[LX_Emergency]

One that needs to be added to the "crap" list is Wittex, their strops are decent but their razors are absolute junk. They even feel like junk when you're holding them. The pinning is bad and the scales are flimsy. The steel is absolute rubbish.

[thegratenate]

This thread really needs a list of ebay sellers that sell good razors, or at least the ones that sell chave ready razors that truly are shave ready.

I bought from altima55 but get the impression his auctions will be way high before long, as he seems to be about the only known ebayer with shave ready razors.

[gglockner]

This thread really needs a list of ebay sellers that sell good razors, or at least the ones that sell chave ready razors that truly are shave ready.

I bought from altima55 but get the impression his auctions will be way high before long, as he seems to be about the only known ebayer with shave ready razors.

Well you get what you pay for! In this case buying from altima55 you get a nice keen vintage razor that didn't look that nice when he bought it. I do all my restoration mostly by hand, so I may spend 5 hours restoring a razor. If my time is worth even minimum wage, his razors are still a bargin. Yes his razors are costing more money. The crappy ones are going for more money than they were a year or two ago as well.

Glen

[El Bigote Magnifico]

Too bad I didn't see this before I got one of those Zeepk razors on Ebay. Total crap. The strop was weak and the brush and soap I wouldn't even use. Thanks for the advice on who not to buy from.

[Lancer]

The following sellers are people from whom I have purchased straight razors of various quality.

The reason I am posting their names is that their descriptions of quality and condition were, in each case, spot on! Their service was also excellent.

treats*treasures
designgall
manyware
mrwalker!

[The Invisible Edge]

My thanks to MaClean3 re my site - it took a while and I'm putting some more of my collection on there soon. Incidentally, if anyone has a razor they'd like to see featured in my gallery please drop me a line at the website. I too bring the razors upto selling spec. by hand and yes, it's a bit of a labour of love but I just haven't got time to shave-ready them all for free. At least I give buyers a choice - I charge what is, by min wage standards a pittance to hone them and I strop them as well. I don't claim to be a honemeister but I maintain my own razors and they go on my face so I do know what to do! I've been asked why I only hone razors I supply - well someone did ask me to give a razor a 'bit of a hone' - the thing had an edge like a woodsaw. Never again.....

[Thebigspendur]

Could any of the straight razor pros give an opinion on this razor.. feels like "not good"..

http://cgi.ebay.ie/BRAND-NEW-STRAIGH...QQcmdZViewItem

Thanks

Pretty much anytime you see brand new razor its a warning flag. There are really only two companies still making strainghts, TI, Dovo and henkels has started again in limited quantities although I don't know if they are actually making them. All those others are junk made in pakistan. It should always say who the maker is.

[The Invisible Edge]

What's all that about? DE envious? I preferred being in M3 remission...

[Bones Bennett]

What about MEHAZ? I see those, or are they just pakistani junk.
I'll stick with my replaceable razor until I am good enough to get a Dovo

[Bones Bennett]

nevermind, I just saw the dreaded Z word on the bottom of the ad.

[Scorpio]

What about MEHAZ? I see those, or are they just pakistani junk.
I'll stick with my replaceable razor until I am good enough to get a Dovo

ME HAZ your money you HAZ crappy razor!!

Raf

[BillEllis]

I remember the post as well. I think even Bill had his hands full getting it keen, but Bill could probably get a butter knife keen enough to shave with.

Glen

I had to try it Glen... took forever, though... 20 minutes

[gglockner]

Bill, I wonder what it will go for on eBay? Maybe spruce it up a bit first, and give it a fancy name.

How did it shave?

Glen

[BillEllis]

Bill, I wonder what it will go for on eBay? Maybe spruce it up a bit first, and give it a fancy name.

How did it shave?

Glen

Hmmm...

I could doll it up with some hot pink transluscent scales and call it something like "Maiden Chi na" model 29c? Whatever the name is, the description will undoubtedly include the word "Mint"

Matter of fact, all y'all can start sending sellers who like that word so much to this Mint link.

... shaves are as smooth as butter, by the way.

[Mama Bear]

whose arm was that straight laying on mmmmmm mmmmm mmmmmmmmm

[ScottS]

Whoever's arm that was, it looks like he shaves it so he can see his wrist watch

[PalmettoB]

I have had good luck with Altima55, and Mr_Barence. Manyware is also supposed to be a good seller, though I haven't won anything from him yet.