Thread: What do you call it?

What do you call it?
I plan to refurbish vintage straight razors as a hobby only (not a business) and put them in a shave-ready condition. The rust, and major pitting would be removed, but enough of the original blade would remain to be able to identify its origin. In other words, not a mirror finish. New scales would be installed. The scales would be of traditional material (celluloid or bakelite) if I can find a source, otherwise of some modern material. I would probably put them for sale on eBay.

I see two immediate problems. The first is if the price is reasonable, would they sell. The second is how would I list them. Unless the original scales could be used, they would not be vintage razors. Only the blades would be vintage. One possibility would be "Shave ready refurbished vintage straight razor" and include a detailed description of what has been done. Are there any suggestions?

As a potential buyer, I would call them cleaned with homemade scales

As a seller, you should call them wonderful old blades from a bygone era which are each carefully and masterfully by hand restored to their originally intended conditions, and expertly installed in beautiful, handcrafted material of the highest quality for your use and enjoyment for many years to come

The Lost Dark Art

Originally Posted by hoglahoo

As a potential buyer, I would call them cleaned with homemade scales

As a seller, you should call them wonderful old blades from a bygone era which are each carefully and masterfully by hand restored to their originally intended conditions, and expertly installed in beautiful, handcrafted material of the highest quality for your use and enjoyment for many years to come

Good idea. Thanks.

Originally Posted by hoglahoo

As a potential buyer, I would call them cleaned with homemade scales

As a seller, you should call them wonderful old blades from a bygone era which are each carefully and masterfully by hand restored to their originally intended conditions, and expertly installed in beautiful, handcrafted material of the highest quality for your use and enjoyment for many years to come

Are you a car salesman?

Lightly restored with custom scales.

Originally Posted by Martin103

Are you a car salesman?

If the price is right!

Originally Posted by hoglahoo

As a seller, you should call them wonderful old blades from a bygone era which are each carefully and masterfully by hand restored to their originally intended conditions, and expertly installed in beautiful, handcrafted material of the highest quality for your use and enjoyment for many years to come

If you can't Dazzle them with Brilliance; Baffle them with B------t!

Simple - describe them concisely and honestly. Personally I would list the basic attributes (maker, size, grind etc.) and a short blurb on what re-work has been done.
My two-pennyworth would be to keep the original scales wherever possible, assuming they're not broken (and even then...) most scales can be restored (usually a whole lot easier than the blades). The US market may be a bit different but from what I see in the UK buyers are more interested in original razors.

Make sure you mention that they pass the HHT.