When You Try to Explain Vintage Razors to a Normal Person... and Fail

[Zafar_shaves]

Disclaimer: I didn’t own any vintage razors. I was always more of a modern razor guy shiny, new.

But after spending enough time on Badger & Blade, seeing posts like “Just get a Tech” and “Pick up a Slim Adjustable, you’ll thank me later”, I started to get curious…

So there I am at a garage sale, casually poking around, when I spot a Gillette Slim (1967) and a Gold Tech (1940s) both in amazing condition, barely used. Turns out, the seller was getting rid of his father’s razors.

Obviously, I did what any of us would do—I haggled the Slim down for over five minutes. Then I said, “I’ll throw in another $10 for the Gold Tech.”

At this point, the guy just stares at me. Hard. for 5 seconds.
Then, with full seriousness, asks:
“Why do you need two razors?”

And my brain just… froze.
How do you explain RAD to someone who’s satisfied with a single safety razor and doesn’t see the need for another?
How do I explain the subtle differences in blade feel? The history? The thrill of finding vintage razors in the wild?

So I panicked and blurted out:
“These are the two most popular razors on the Badger & Blade forum!”

Silence.

He kept looking at me total confusion like I had just spoken an alien language.

I grabbed my razors, paid the man, and left before he could ask what a “Tech” even is.

So yeah now I have my first two vintage Gillettes, and I couldn’t be happier.
But seriously… how do you explain this hobby to normal people without sounding insane?

 

[nemo]

seriously… how do you explain this hobby to normal people without sounding insane?

Don't even try.

 

[cranewarrior]

Disclaimer: I didn’t own any vintage razors. I was always more of a modern razor guy shiny, new.

But after spending enough time on Badger & Blade, seeing posts like “Just get a Tech” and “Pick up a Slim Adjustable, you’ll thank me later”, I started to get curious…

So there I am at a garage sale, casually poking around, when I spot a Gillette Slim (1967) and a Gold Tech (1940s) both in amazing condition, barely used. Turns out, the seller was getting rid of his father’s razors.

Obviously, I did what any of us would do—I haggled the Slim down for over five minutes. Then I said, “I’ll throw in another $10 for the Gold Tech.”

At this point, the guy just stares at me. Hard. for 5 seconds.
Then, with full seriousness, asks:
“Why do you need two razors?”

And my brain just… froze.
How do you explain RAD to someone who’s satisfied with a single safety razor and doesn’t see the need for another?
How do I explain the subtle differences in blade feel? The history? The thrill of finding vintage razors in the wild?

So I panicked and blurted out:
“These are the two most popular razors on the Badger & Blade forum!”

Silence.

He kept looking at me total confusion like I had just spoken an alien language.

I grabbed my razors, paid the man, and left before he could ask what a “Tech” even is.

So yeah now I have my first two vintage Gillettes, and I couldn’t be happier.
But seriously… how do you explain this hobby to normal people without sounding insane?

Not so unusual. Why do people have multiple cars or motorcycles even if they can only drive/ride one at a time? Why do people collect guitars or knives?

The seller thought of his dad's razors as only utilitarian items. He just needed to know razors are collectible items too.

Cabbage Patch Kids anyone?

 

[Hair Scraper]

Next time just say, “Because there are subtle unexplained nuances between, (even the same model of,) old razors.

Some have been sink-banged or dropped in the last 70-75 years in just the right way to give you a BBS shave every time; right in that intersection of effectiveness and efficiency.”

Then say, “You aren’t going to let me use your bathroom to try them out, so ya gotta buy them to try them, right?”

 

[ERS4]

I just said "I collect razors".
This is easy to understand, and no matter how absurd it is, it is difficult to refute; just like some people collect thimbles, some people collect watches, and there is even a little boy in Japan who collects traffic lights.

 

[Zafar_shaves]

Not so unusual. Why do people have multiple cars or motorcycles even if they can only drive/ride one at a time? Why do people collect guitars or knives?

The seller thought of his dad's razors as only utilitarian items. He just needed to know razors are collectible items too.

Cabbage Patch Kids anyone?

Exactly... Some people collect guitars, some collect motorcycles… and some of us hoard antique face peelers like totally rational human beings. The seller just hadn't achieved RAD enlightenment

 

[Zafar_shaves]

Next time just say, “Because there are subtle unexplained nuances between, (even the same model of,) old razors.

Some have been sink-banged or dropped in the last 70-75 years in just the right way to give you a BBS shave every time; right in that intersection of effectiveness and efficiency.”

Then say, “You aren’t going to let me use your bathroom to try them out, so ya gotta buy them to try them, right?”

Brilliant

 

[Zafar_shaves]

I just said "I collect razors".
This is easy to understand, and no matter how absurd it is, it is difficult to refute; just like some people collect thimbles, some people collect watches, and there is even a little boy in Japan who collects traffic lights.

‘I collect sharp razors’—short, simple, and just vague enough to make people suddenly very interested in personal safety

 

[Edgelord]

I try not to.

I, definitely, have a personal rule about educating vendors on the value of items that I buy. Educating people on the value of what they are selling is only hurting yourself.

I break the rule much more often now that I have more than enough of the many things that I collect. I do believe that to justify buying more, the items have to be in as good or better condition than I already have and ideally cheaper.

At the beginning of any collection, one can justify paying what an item is worth. The larger the collection gets, the price paid for a given item should be a very small percentage of going value. You should only buy the best for the least.

 

[Zafar_shaves]

I try not to.

I, definitely, have a personal rule about educating vendors on the value of items that I buy. Educating people on the value of what they are selling is only hurting yourself.

I break the rule much more often now that I have more than enough of the many things that I collect. I do believe that to justify buying more, the items have to be in as good or better condition than I already have and ideally cheaper.

At the beginning of any collection, one can justify paying what an item is worth. The larger the collection gets, the price paid for a given item should be a very small percentage of going value. You should only buy the best for the least.

That’s solid advice. I’m still early in the game, but I can already see how that mindset changes as the collection grows. That said… I did end up confessing to my internet shaving cult

 

[brucered]

If someone is selling an item for a fair price (under what it's actually worth), I don't haggle them down and pay the asking price.

If they were to ask why I want them, I say "because". I've never had anyone ask me why I want something they are selling.

 

[Zafar_shaves]

If someone is selling an item for a fair price (under what it's actually worth), I don't haggle them down and pay the asking price.

If they were to ask why I want them, I say "because". I've never had anyone ask me why I want something they are selling.

Note to self: don't look that excited about old razors.

 

[Letsgoalready]

It is like having to explain my collection. I live in a dorm where I get my room inspected a lot and people see my collection, and they ask what it is and I always say "My shaving collection, if you want I can explain" and usually it's about 50/50 on replies.

 

[brucered]

It is like having to explain my collection. I live in a dorm where I get my room inspected a lot and people see my collection, and they ask what it is and I always say "My shaving collection, if you want I can explain" and usually it's about 50/50 on replies.

 

[Brutus]

At this point, the guy just stares at me. Hard. for 5 seconds.
Then, with full seriousness, asks:
“Why do you need two razors?”

Some other guy might stare at me when he discovers that I have various bottles of Malt whiskies in my cabinet. Let’s not even get started about my fountain pens, straight razors, DE razors, or shaving brushes.

“If you have to ask, you’re obviously not a connoisseur.”

I have long given up trying to fix other people’s lack of understanding.
It is just too depressing and they might think me a show-off.
Some people’s horizon does not extend beyond two brands of canned beer…



B.

 

[Letsgoalready]

Some people’s horizon does not extend beyond two brands of canned beer…

My friends dad has only ever drank Miller light... that is it

 

[Goblin]

RAD enlightenment

 

[cranewarrior]

It is like having to explain my collection. I live in a dorm where I get my room inspected a lot and people see my collection, and they ask what it is and I always say "My shaving collection, if you want I can explain" and usually it's about 50/50 on replies.

My son is at university too and he uses a Mamba. His suitemates think his routine is quaint and old-fashioned.

 

[Rob72]

(Loudly!): "I won't talk about your side-chick, you don't talk about my second razor!"

 

[AshleyC]

You should've ran the conversion play. Bought the Slim, and left him the Tech. Went back to your car, retrieved a tuck of Israelis Personnas (I can't be the only guy with a tuck in the car), and PIF'd it.

"Use the Tech on your next shave. Whatever it is you use, this is better."