Thread: Beginners: Beware of online straight razor seller lingo

I learned about straight razors in the age of internet. And what I learned sometimes surprised me, although it shouldn't. Keep in mind that these things do not mean that you definitely should not buy the razor, it only means that it will usually need some more work and MIGHT not be worth it for you. Maybe others can add to it:

Seller says:

"Shave ready for me, maybe not for you" = razor is sharp as a knife, but not razor sharp. Don't shave with it until someone has honed it properly

"Not an expert, but I believe the razor is shave ready" = not even close to shave ready

"Razor is new, and so should be shave ready" = razor looks good but is actually so blunt that you can rub your finger along the edge without cutting yourself

"Near mint" = razor definitely looks used, but pretty decent

"blade centers easily in scales" = blade centers in scales if you pay attention, otherwise the edge will touch the scales

You are partially correct. Not all of us that sell on eBay give half truths, or misleading descriptions. I do a full face shave with each razor. If it does not shave well it goes back to the hones until I am satisfied.

Relax. I did not take it personal.

Yes,,Your Feedback reflects that! You have a tendacie too kick my but on a weekly basis, Ha, Ty

I despise sellers who put up a generic rock and title their auction description "Escher ?"

I see the same thing in pipes occasionally, Ashton ? ........ Dunhill ?

Now that ebay has banned ivory I'm grateful that I don't see celluloid scales listed in the title as ivory.

Originally Posted by bouschie

You are partially correct. Not all of us that sell on eBay give half truths, or misleading descriptions. I do a full face shave with each razor. If it does not shave well it goes back to the hones until I am satisfied.

Relax. I did not take it personal.

OK but how do you phrase it in your ad? I feel a lot safer with "guaranteed shave ready" than some more wishy-washy descriptions that aim to both convince the buyer and also to dodge any complaints later.

I,ll let him answer that ?, B/S/T If bays not workin for ya, Ty

This is what I put:



Honing: One layer of electrical tape on spine. Bevel set on 600 grit diamond hone. Then 6000 water stone and finished on 12,000 oil stone, then glass plate. Then stropped on canvas with diamond paste and then leather and disinfected. A $18.00 VALUE FREE

I personally test shave each razor before final disinfecting. Shave ready is different to each person. Factors like light or coarse beard or beard length come into play. I have a heavy beard and test shave every razor on a two day growth before disinfecting. If razor gives a close comfortable shave I call it shave ready. If it does not shave right I rehone the razor. I hone razors as a sideline and have only had praise on the sharpness of the razors. Check my feedback and you will see how many customers were satisfied with shave ready.

Shave ready is a classification, to me, that means it should be able to give a close shave out of the box. I have received razors that weren't sharp enough for my tastes and some that were too sharp. Some might say you can't get too sharp, but I like what I like and if a razor is uncomfortable for me then I will re-hone to my tastes. Unfortunately I have received "shave ready" razors that were nicely polished but didn't even have the bevel fully set so it is best to stick to trusted sellers if you don't want to do any work yourself.

i list my razors as 'shave ready (for me)' and state the 1-3-5-8-12 progression used. they all easily pass the tomato test and hanging hair test up and down the entire length of the blade. they truly are exactly what i myself shave with every day.

but i feel i need to add the 'for me' caviot because 'shave ready' is too subjective a term. and can be used/abused by unscrupulous buyers.

"Shave Ready" is very relative, shave ready to a 14 year old boy or someone with whiskers like steel cables are very different things. I'll say that "they shave very well" or something similar but I'll never say shave ready on Ebay due to all the scammers. I'll will say that here though.