Thread: Splitting hairs

I would like to be corrected if I'm wrong.

I see many mislabeled advertised straight razors (especially so called vintage straight razors on eBay). I see some razors with shiny blades with new scales and pins advertised as vintage straight razors. I think this is misrepresentation. This has been complicated by many of us who would more or less modify an existing vintage razor or scaleless vintage blade or make completely new razors from old vintage blades. As I interpret the situation, strictly speaking, a vintage razor is one that has not been disassembled and is in it's original as found condition or maybe has simply been cleaned and perhaps made shave ready. It is still a vintage straight razor. If the scales have been removed for cleaning or any reason and repined, then it no longer has all of it's original parts (pins) and is no longer a vintage straight razor. Instead it should now be called a renewed vintage straight razor. If the old scales have been discarded or a vintage blade without scales is more or less cleaned up, new scales installed, and perhaps made shave ready then that razor might be called a restored vintage razor. If a razor has in any way been modified there should be included a description of what has been done.

I would say its potato potato (you know what I mean) lol. I think it comes down to buyer beware on ebay...thats why we always tell newbs to stay away until they know what theyre looking at/for

while in concept i agree about full disclosure if you have the knowledge to ascertain (and i think i have seen that in comments), what would be the case if person in the 1950s rescaled his razor if we are "splitting hairs"?

i believe those new to straights will also never really know until they have handled several razors to understand and grasp what to look for.

Razors are steel. Steel compositions change throughout time. Vintage steel is vintage steel, regardless of scales. Is a 1957 Chevy not vintage if it's been repainted. This is splitting hairs of the highest level.

Edit: I didn't really read closely enough I guess. I suppose what you're worried about is someone not disclosing fully the restoration of a razor. What a person calls it, vintage/vintage restored/renewed vintage really makes ZERO difference. Just demand full disclosure. I'm not sure what the issue is.

Yeah, it seems you want them to add a word. Your new descriptions still used the word vintage. If you say it's not accurate, then it ought not be in your suggested revision. Otherwise, I'm in full agreement about full disclosure.

I did a thread about the terms we as restorists use and the degree of which we change the Original razors some time back...
I can't find the link right now, but will try later...

The problem is not on here though and no matter what we as SRP decide should be, the people on e-bay will do whatever they can to make their razors sound and look better it is actually worse than just that too, if we come up with terms here they will use the most effective terms to sell their stuff...
2 short years ago "Shave Ready" was a term reserved to about 3 e-bay razor sellers now almost all of them claim it, there are even Honing offers on e-bay now....

Anyone without at least 6 months of Straight Razor expierience shopping on e-bay IMHO deserves anything they buy, it would be like me buying vintage pocket watches and expecting to snag a great buy off e-bay, I don't know jack, so every bid is a gamble..

I think that whoever starts buying razors is going to get stung at least once. I see so often the fancy words of praise for a piece of junk that...Now.. I would not touch with someone else's credit card!.

I will say that I have purchased razors from BST and some of the vendors here and other fora. I was satisfied with the razors. Start small and get some water under your keel before going full sail onto the sea.

There is a bit of coercion that tries to keep the vendors here and elsewhere honest. Again, there is no substitute for experience...and; experience is usually purchased at full price.

Personally I think full disclosure is the biggest issue not really what title or spin word is put on the item. Its not just razors either. Every item you can find on ebay is treated the same way. Other ones that kill me are the terms "Rare" and "hard to find". I can't tell you how many times I have seen those used in a description only to scroll down the page and run into six more of the very same item.

IF your dealing on ebay you have to ask specif and pointed questions. If they lie to you make them take the item back and issue a refund. I have had to do that a few times.

Ray