First I want to thank you all for a great welcome to the forum.....But I NEED some help. I have been looking at Aristocrat razors for a while and I'm a little confused. I see where some sell for around fifty to over one hundred dollars ( just the razor)some of the razors with case and razor holder between 80 to all the way to close to 300.00. I realize condition is most everything but today I saw where one that was NOS sold for 127.00. With case and razor holder.....I thought it would go thru the roof. Unless 127.00 is thru the roof. I guess what I'm getting at is I don't see any normal pattern, in what they sell for. Could you veterans in this hobby please shed some light on this for me? Also how much is a Aristocrat devalued by having it replated? THANKS AGAIN FOR THE GREAT WELCOME Dave
Again, welcome to TSD. An Aristocrat is worth what someone is willing to pay for it. If you are really interested in one, decide what it is worth to you and stick to your guns. I got mine quite by accident for $20 in an antique store. It had the original case and a blade holder. The razor had some plate loss due to use, but was otherwise in good shape. I may have it plated some day, but I will never sell it. It will stay in the family. As it turns out it is also my birth year razor (1947, no notch) which makes it even more special to me. If you are trying to make money with this, that is another story. Happy shaves.
There is no real set price for any razor it's all pretty much what the market will bear. The difference is in whether the buyers are collectors or users. I think most users wind up collecting a little bit in their search for the perfect shave. I'm sure some collectors only use multi blade cart razors or electrics, if they even shave at all.. I will tell you that IMO the Aristocrat series including the Diplomat and President are some of the best shaving TTO's out there. Whether replating devalues a razor is up to the buyer's opinion. On certain particularly rare razors I think replating might be a mistake, but for most razors I think replating is a good idea a long as future buyers are made aware that the razor has been replated. As long as the razor is in proper functioning condition and gives a good shave it's worth at least $30 IMO. I know however what it's like to have the WANTS, but take your time and do your research(there are ALOT of Aristocrats out there)and try and get one for the best price possible. Don't be afraid to make offers on any razor you find on ebay. Keep in mind that if you want it to look pretty, as well as shave properly, you may have to replate it, so keep that additional cost in mind when your on the hunt. Most of my Aristocrats didn't come with a case, some are missing an end cap, but all shave wonderfully...Good luck..
Luckily i found one in a antique store for 20 bucks. Just keep your eye open and you'll find one for the price you like.
Be vigilant, they are worth the hunt. You can get one for a good price. Do not be afraid to get a user grade, then hunt the mint one. I got one, seems like the ebayer did not know razors or pictures. I took a chance and this thing has not been used, and still has not, I just keep to my user grade. to bad the mint one had no case, the case I have is user grade, but still looks good in my small display. they are my grail razor, but that is me.
You guys have been a big help thanks for the advice.....Ill keep you posted when I get my aristocrat.
