|
Post by brandaves on Dec 7, 2019 18:59:40 GMT -6
I love shaving with vintage razors and nearly all of the razors in my collection were made prior to the 1970's (and most long before then). That being said I have nothing against new designs and new razors in general. My only concern with them is the price to shave quality ratio. If I pay $200 for a razor is it going to shave $190 "better" then the Gem Damaskeene I paid $10 for? Almost without question the answer is a resounding no. So that then begs the question, what am I paying for other then a nice pretty paper weight that also (presumably) can offer a decent shave. Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to poo poo anyone who prefers a modern razor...its just for me, vintage razors are generally cheap, available, provide exceptional shaves and come with character and history that often extends back 100 years or more. I like that sort of thing. I might have shaved with a razor that survived the Battle of the Bulge (hopefully along with its owner). Or perhaps an heirloom that passed through the hands of a member of the Rat Pack...any number of possibilities accompany a vintage razor. Now, none of that is likely...but possible. That's kinda cool.
|
|
Flintstone
Lather Catcher
Scraper Blade Shaver...
Posts: 908
|
Post by Flintstone on Dec 7, 2019 19:06:28 GMT -6
I love shaving with vintage razors and nearly all of the razors in my collection were made prior to the 1970's (and most long before then). That being said I have nothing against new designs and new razors in general. My only concern with them is the price to shave quality ratio. If I pay $200 for a razor is it going to shave $190 "better" then the Gem Damaskeene I paid $10 for? Almost without question the answer is a resounding no. So that then begs the question, what am I paying for other then a nice pretty paper weight that also (presumably) can offer a decent shave. Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to poo poo anyone who prefers a modern razor...its just for me, vintage razors are generally cheap, available, provide exceptional shaves and come with character and history that often extends back 100 years or more. I like that sort of thing. I might have shaved with a razor that survived the Battle of the Bulge (hopefully along with its owner). Or perhaps an heirloom that passed through the hands of a member of the Rat Pack...any number of possibilities accompany a vintage razor. Now, none of that is likely...but possible. That's kinda cool. Well put, and I fall into that camp as well. It's part of why I have taken to playing music from the era of the razor while I shave -- it sort of puts me in mind of the era and I do think about who may have shaved with the razor before me, and what they were listening to. Sure I could do that with a modern razor, but how many times can I listen to "All About that Bass" by Meghan Trainor?
|
|
TobyC
Gem Star
Old stick in the mud.
Posts: 2,400
|
Post by TobyC on Dec 7, 2019 19:48:06 GMT -6
I want vintage morgue razors.
|
|
|
Post by brandaves on Dec 7, 2019 19:57:23 GMT -6
I want vintage morgue razors. ...Yikes...
|
|
|
Post by wchnu on Dec 7, 2019 20:12:40 GMT -6
I want vintage morgue razors. Those just kill me.....
|
|
|
Post by wchnu on Dec 7, 2019 20:13:49 GMT -6
I love shaving with vintage razors and nearly all of the razors in my collection were made prior to the 1970's (and most long before then). That being said I have nothing against new designs and new razors in general. My only concern with them is the price to shave quality ratio. If I pay $200 for a razor is it going to shave $190 "better" then the Gem Damaskeene I paid $10 for? Almost without question the answer is a resounding no. So that then begs the question, what am I paying for other then a nice pretty paper weight that also (presumably) can offer a decent shave. Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to poo poo anyone who prefers a modern razor...its just for me, vintage razors are generally cheap, available, provide exceptional shaves and come with character and history that often extends back 100 years or more. I like that sort of thing. I might have shaved with a razor that survived the Battle of the Bulge (hopefully along with its owner). Or perhaps an heirloom that passed through the hands of a member of the Rat Pack...any number of possibilities accompany a vintage razor. Now, none of that is likely...but possible. That's kinda cool. Very nice post. I often wonder what a razor might tell if it could talk. What is your oldest mentionable razor?
|
|
ShadowsDad
Gem Star
None boring shaver!!
"It's not the bow, it's the Indian"
Posts: 4,534
|
Post by ShadowsDad on Dec 7, 2019 23:10:11 GMT -6
I think pondering a razors history is what attracts most people, after the great shaves of course.
|
|
|
Post by brandaves on Dec 8, 2019 4:56:06 GMT -6
I love shaving with vintage razors and nearly all of the razors in my collection were made prior to the 1970's (and most long before then). That being said I have nothing against new designs and new razors in general. My only concern with them is the price to shave quality ratio. If I pay $200 for a razor is it going to shave $190 "better" then the Gem Damaskeene I paid $10 for? Almost without question the answer is a resounding no. So that then begs the question, what am I paying for other then a nice pretty paper weight that also (presumably) can offer a decent shave. Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to poo poo anyone who prefers a modern razor...its just for me, vintage razors are generally cheap, available, provide exceptional shaves and come with character and history that often extends back 100 years or more. I like that sort of thing. I might have shaved with a razor that survived the Battle of the Bulge (hopefully along with its owner). Or perhaps an heirloom that passed through the hands of a member of the Rat Pack...any number of possibilities accompany a vintage razor. Now, none of that is likely...but possible. That's kinda cool. Very nice post. I often wonder what a razor might tell if it could talk. What is your oldest mentionable razor? That is a good question...I have a W&B UNMENTIONABLE (Fuzzy was here) that dates to 1860ish I believe. I'm currently engaged in a restore on it at the moment actually. The scales were original and unsalvageable but the blade was in exceptional shape when I received it. I opted for black horn scales for an original look, although I went with blanks and I'm shaping them more to my liking then original designs. Oldest safety razor is my Ever-Ready Lather Catcher which is also in need of repair. The blade catch has come off of its moorings and I'm unsure how to fix it. I was able to get a shave out of it wit the help of some packing tape though, so that was nice. What about you? Any elder statesmen in your den?
|
|
|
Post by IschiaPP on Dec 8, 2019 6:11:10 GMT -6
If I pay $200 for a razor is it going to shave $190 "better" then the Gem Damaskeene I paid $10 for? Almost without question the answer is a resounding no. High end jewel razors normally do not use the old Gem style SE blades. The existing ones can be counted on the tips of a few fingers. Whether for a question of performance of the blade or a question of image. So quite difficult to make a true comparison. The ones I read, were clearly in favor of modern products. I prefer to read experiences rather than preconceptions. Even if you pay a little more than $ 10 for a modern razor of the same type, you will notice technical improvements. Better handling, balancing, overall efficiency. The final result is tied to the user's hands. But in theory it's easier. However everything is relative. It depends on what you take as a reference. If I look at the wedge of a leather catcher, the Gem styles are also new fangeled thingies. Not to mention the better Injector, and especially the AC style razors.
|
|
|
Post by wchnu on Dec 8, 2019 6:28:04 GMT -6
Very nice post. I often wonder what a razor might tell if it could talk. What is your oldest mentionable razor? That is a good question...I have a W&B SR that dates to 1860ish I believe. I'm currently engaged in a restore on it at the moment actually. The scales were original and unsalvageable but the blade was in exceptional shape when I received it. I opted for black horn scales for an original look, although I went with blanks and I'm shaping them more to my liking then original designs. Oldest safety razor is my Ever-Ready Lather Catcher which is also in need of repair. The blade catch has come off of its moorings and I'm unsure how to fix it. I was able to get a shave out of it wit the help of some packing tape though, so that was nice. What about you? Any elder statesmen in your den? I have a Kampfe lather catcher from 1890ish I think. I have several razors from early 1900’s.
|
|
|
Post by brandaves on Dec 8, 2019 6:28:04 GMT -6
Very nice post. I often wonder what a razor might tell if it could talk. What is your oldest mentionable razor? That is a good question...I have a W&B SR that dates to 1860ish I believe. I'm currently engaged in a restore on it at the moment actually. The scales were original and unsalvageable but the blade was in exceptional shape when I received it. I opted for black horn scales for an original look, although I went with blanks and I'm shaping them more to my liking then original designs. Oldest safety razor is my Ever-Ready Lather Catcher which is also in need of repair. The blade catch has come off of its moorings and I'm unsure how to fix it. I was able to get a shave out of it wit the help of some packing tape though, so that was nice. What about you? Any elder statesmen in your den? I did tip toe into an "unmentionable" there...apologies...
|
|
|
Post by wchnu on Dec 8, 2019 6:31:48 GMT -6
If I pay $200 for a razor is it going to shave $190 "better" then the Gem Damaskeene I paid $10 for? Almost without question the answer is a resounding no. High end jewel razors normally do not use the old Gem style SE blades. The existing ones can be counted on the tips of a few fingers. Whether for a question of performance of the blade or a question of image. So quite difficult to make a true comparison. The ones I read, were clearly in favor of modern products. I prefer to read experiences rather than preconceptions. Even if you pay a little more than $ 10 for a modern razor of the same type, you will notice technical improvements. Better handling, balancing, overall efficiency. The final result is tied to the user's hands. But in theory it's easier. However everything is relative. It depends on what you take as a reference. If I look at the wedge of a leather catcher, the Gem styles are also new fangeled thingies. Not to mention the better Injector, and especially the AC style razors. I have not used a newer razor yet that was “better” in any way then vintage. The handling and all is pretty much the same regardless of age. After all a razor is just a blade holder. They all do the same job. Any small differences are ironed out with technique. I get a kick out of people who say weight balance and such change a shave. With proper technique there is really no difference.
|
|
|
Post by wchnu on Dec 8, 2019 6:34:21 GMT -6
That is a good question...I have a W&B SR that dates to 1860ish I believe. I'm currently engaged in a restore on it at the moment actually. The scales were original and unsalvageable but the blade was in exceptional shape when I received it. I opted for black horn scales for an original look, although I went with blanks and I'm shaping them more to my liking then original designs. Oldest safety razor is my Ever-Ready Lather Catcher which is also in need of repair. The blade catch has come off of its moorings and I'm unsure how to fix it. I was able to get a shave out of it wit the help of some packing tape though, so that was nice. What about you? Any elder statesmen in your den? I did tip toe into an "unmentionable" there...apologies... No worries. I adjusted the original post a bit. Carry on!!
|
|
|
Post by brandaves on Dec 8, 2019 6:42:25 GMT -6
High end jewel razors normally do not use the old Gem style SE blades. The existing ones can be counted on the tips of a few fingers. Whether for a question of performance of the blade or a question of image. So quite difficult to make a true comparison. The ones I read, were clearly in favor of modern products. I prefer to read experiences rather than preconceptions. Even if you pay a little more than $ 10 for a modern razor of the same type, you will notice technical improvements. Better handling, balancing, overall efficiency. The final result is tied to the user's hands. But in theory it's easier. However everything is relative. It depends on what you take as a reference. If I look at the wedge of a leather catcher, the Gem styles are also new fangeled thingies. Not to mention the better Injector, and especially the AC style razors. I have not used a newer razor yet that was “better” in any way then vintage. The handling and all is pretty much the same regardless of age. After all a razor is just a blade holder. They all do the same job. Any small differences are ironed out with technique. I get a kick out of people who say weight balance and such change a shave. With proper technique there is really no difference. My wife saw me shaving the other day as she was passing the bathroom door. She shook her head side to side and smiled. She said, "I swear you can shave with anything sharp." She's not wrong. I own going on a hundred different razors and use a different one almost daily. Each one requires a slight change in technique and making those adjustments every morning for my shave has made me a pretty nimble driver of a blade. I agree wholeheartedly that when it comes to razors its the technique that really matters in the end. Sure, some razors have better characteristics then others. How that translates to the shave though is due more to the hand that holds the razor than anything else.
|
|
TobyC
Gem Star
Old stick in the mud.
Posts: 2,400
|
Post by TobyC on Dec 8, 2019 6:49:34 GMT -6
High end jewel razors normally do not use the old Gem style SE blades. The existing ones can be counted on the tips of a few fingers. Whether for a question of performance of the blade or a question of image. So quite difficult to make a true comparison. The ones I read, were clearly in favor of modern products. I prefer to read experiences rather than preconceptions. Even if you pay a little more than $ 10 for a modern razor of the same type, you will notice technical improvements. Better handling, balancing, overall efficiency. The final result is tied to the user's hands. But in theory it's easier. However everything is relative. It depends on what you take as a reference. If I look at the wedge of a leather catcher, the Gem styles are also new fangeled thingies. Not to mention the better Injector, and especially the AC style razors. I have not used a newer razor yet that was “better” in any way then vintage. The handling and all is pretty much the same regardless of age. After all a razor is just a blade holder. They all do the same job. Any small differences are ironed out with technique. I get a kick out of people who say weight balance and such change a shave. With proper technique there is really no difference. I would like this but I can't!!!
|
|