Make your way through just about any flea market or antique shop and one thing you are almost certain to see is a wide variety of men’s razors and shaving accessories. Combine that with a rapidly growing interest in certain vintage safety razors from the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s, and there is an opportunity for readers to make some nice profits on eBay.

How long this opportunity will exist is a good question. But, at present, there are several of these vintage safety razors that can be purchased for $10 or less in antique stores and at flea markets that will bring $50 and up on eBay. The following information will provide you with an idea of what razors to look for, what to pay for them, and what they currently bring on eBay.

Background Information

Collector interest in shaving and barbershop related items has existed for a long time. Until recently however, that interest has been primarily concentrated on straight razors and accessories. Within the last year or two that has changed, and interest in more recent safety razors has begun to steadily grow. This growth has been fueled by three factors.

• A growing interest in safety razors by old time straight razor collectors
• A huge revival in ‘wet shaving’ by men in their twenties and thirties who feel the older, vintage, safety razors provide a closer shave
• Many of these new ‘wet shavers’ have become collectors also

Gillette Safety Razors

While a large number of companies manufactured safety razors over the years, Gillette stands head and shoulders above all other manufacturers when it comes to how many of their safety razors are being sought today. I currently recommend you deal just in Gillette items and stick with the following models if you are just getting started in this area.

Gillette Toggle

One of the rarer Gillette safety razors because it was manufactured for only one year.

In the last three months twenty-three of these have sold on eBay for prices ranging from $62.00 up to two sales for $350.00 for unused examples in their original cases with original paperwork. The average sale price for the three months is $157.08.

When found in antique shops or flea markets these can usually be purchased for $10 or less for just the razor or $30 or less if it has it’s original case. They are easily identifiable due to their unusual, toggle switch-like, end.

Gillette 195 Adjustable

Similar to the Toggle, the 195 adjustable was only manufactured for one year, making it very much in demand by both collectors. It is also highly sought after by ‘wet shavers’, probably simply so they can have bragging rights about using one.

These don’t show up that often, but when they do, can usually be purchased for $5 to $10 or less in antique shops. None have sold on eBay in the last three months, but a nice example should easily bring $150 or more. Find the original case with it and you could probably add an additional $100 to the final price.

Gillette Aristocrat

Gillette used the Aristocrat name on two or three different razors. They are usually found with a gold-plated finish, although some earlier models were made with a silver-rhodium. Although these were manufactured over many years, because they initially cost more than the other models, they are more difficult to locate in todays market.

Within the last three months prices on eBay range anywhere from $21.00 to $260.00 with an average sales price of $122.26. Examples with their original case, blades, and paperwork will always bring higher prices. The more recent models from the late 1950s and early 1960s (as seen in the photo) normally sell for more than older Aristocrats from the 1940s and earlier.

Suggested purchase prices are no more than $10 for just the razor alone up to $30-$35 for newer models in their original cases.

Gillette President Razor

Another very desirable safety razor from Gillette.

A total of ten of Gillette President safety razors have sold on eBay over the last three months ranging in price from a high of $382.00 for a near new example in it’s original case with all paperwork to a low of $16.00 for a very early example in it’s case. The average sales price was $152.25.

As before, examples with their original cases and paperwork bring the highest prices.

Similar to the Aristocrat, the more recent examples tend to bring the highest prices; again, probably due the the ‘wet shaving’ crowd wanting newer models for their day-to-day shaving needs.

Gillette Fat-Boy Adjustable

This model draws most of it’s value from it’s huge popularity with the ‘wet shaving’ crowd. Almost every ‘wet shaving’ enthusiast wants one, or more, for his shaving arsenal.

The Fat-Boy is very similar in appearance to the more commonly found regular 1-9 Adjustable. The two distinguishing features are a wider (fatter) handle which measures 3″ long from the head to the base. The handle of the 1-9 is narrower and about a quarter inch longer. I know it sounds as though they are difficult to tell apart, but once you have seen one of these, they are easily distinguishable from the 1-9.

The Fat-Boy is found with both gold and silver finishes and the gold will nearly always bring more money. In the last three months 236 have been listed on eBay with final prices ranging from $193.06 down to the $5 to $10 range for some in poor condition. The average selling price has been $45.25. One factor that can affect the final value a Fat-Boy gets is the year of manufacture. Earlier models generally bring higher prices. Fat-Boys can be easily dated using this Date And Feature Guide.

I would you restrict your purchases of Fat-Boys to only those with their original cases and to the gold models with or without cases. These can often be found for under $5, and as long as you don’t pay more than $10, you should make a decent profit from the ones you buy.

Gillette Slim Handle 1-9 Adjustable Razor

Very similar to the Fat-Boy described above, but with a slimmer and slightly longer handle. This is by far the most often seen Gillette found in antique shops and flea markets.

There is a huge range in prices for these on eBay and in most cases they are not worth buying. However, you will often find nice clean examples with original cases and paperwork in shops priced very reasonably. I would recommend you buy any examples you find in their original cases with paperwork that are priced at $7.00 or less.

There are probably more of these in use by ‘wet shavers’ than any other Gillette models and you can almost always get between $25 and $35 for nice examples on eBay and you may hit a home run as occasionally these will go for $50 to $100 or more.

Occasionally you will find these with black handles and these normally bring $10 to $25 more than the more common silver models.

Additional Information

While you are looking for these razors, keep an eye out for original packs of Gillette double edged blades. These can normally be bought for $2 to $3 each and will add far more value than that when included with a razor and it’s original case.

If you look at completed auctions you will see many of the better selling razors are described as ‘cleaned’. Cleaned examples will always bring more money.

You can give any silver-plated razor a gentle cleaning yourself with a combination of a can of Lemon Scented Scrubbing Bubbles and a cup of hot water microwaved until it boils. Spray the razors with the scrubbing bubbles use a toothbrush to scrub them and dip quickly in the cup of hot water for a few seconds. Repeat and then dry and lightly buff with a soft cloth with a dime size dollop of Brasso or Bar Keepers friend.

DO NOT do this with gold-plated razors. For these, you are probably best letting the buyer clean them themselves.

As the relatively new ‘wet shaving’ trend develops and matures there are bound to be changes regarding the desirability of various razors. If you are interested in keeping a finger on the pulse of this growing market you can read about what is going on in the ‘wet shaving’ arena at ShaveMyFace.com and Badge & Blade.

Popularity: 100% [?]

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!