Opening NOS items

If I just happened to find a NOS razor and got it cheap I will open it and shave with it. Now if it’s something I can flip for a lot of money, and I mean several hundred dollars, I will sell it NOS. If for example I find a NOS Fatboy or Slim cheap, yeah I’m gonna open it if it’s rare and really valuable like a Toggle, I will turn that into several modern razors.

Does anyone question themselves about opening NOS items?  Why or why not?

On one hand, I feel the item has been packaged for 40 to 60 years and should be left alone (a bit of a nostalgic aspect).  Other on the hand, I feel the item was manufactured to be used and who cares if it’s been sitting around for fifty years.  Obviously, there are also times when it’s a collector item and, for value reasons, it should be left unopened.  Some items, despite being NOS, may be more plentiful and opening the item is not a big deal.  But there are times I struggle with the decision.

Thinking about what I just wrote, I think if I had a pristine new-in-packaging razor I would probably look for a user grade one to use and hold onto the NOS one as is.  This is just my 2¢ and obviously there is no one definitive answer.  I’m just glad to know that I’m not the only one who thinks like this.

I have always said that whatever I buy I will always use. The ONE time this wasn't the case was when I was looking for a 48-50 Aristocrat. I bought one with a case not knowing how nice it actually was. The thing was about as close to NOS as you could get. The case wasn't on the outside, but the inside of the case and the razor was amazing.



I had to buy a user grade one with plating loss to use. This one still sits in a drawer.

Personally, I have never understood the concept of not opening and using something that was, originally, manufactured for that purpose. There is no way I could have something in my house and not use it, especially, shaving gear.  

I really envy this position. My wife holds a very similar position...you paid for it, so use it! But I tend to struggle with the decision and I think one reason is because I don't want to "break the streak". It's just like Asafiev noted, the previous owners didn't open it so maybe I shouldn't either.

The only NOS item i've purchased is a pack of Schick razor blades which really doesn't have any value. The only reason it was purchased wa because it was included with the safety razor that I was bidding on.

Does anyone question themselves about opening NOS items?  Why or why not?

On one hand, I feel the item has been packaged for 40 to 60 years and should be left alone (a bit of a nostalgic aspect).  Other on the hand, I feel the item was manufactured to be used and who cares if it’s been sitting around for fifty years.  Obviously, there are also times when it’s a collector item and, for value reasons, it should be left unopened.  Some items, despite being NOS, may be more plentiful and opening the item is not a big deal.  But there are times I struggle with the decision.

I’m with you on this, HoosierShave.  That is, I see both points and can go back and forth.  It’s not just shaving gear, either.  I love fountain pens and use many, both vintage and new.  However, an unused, in original packaging, NOS would probably give me pause.  Sometimes, it isn’t even something that is NOS.  Many years ago, my late father gave me the pocket watch he was given for his bar mitzvah.  In just seven years it will be 100 years since he received it.  However, long before he passed it on to me, he broke the original crystal and just had an inexpensive plastic crystal put on the watch as a replacement.  I have gone ‘round and ‘round on whether to put in a good glass crystal or leave the watch as my father gave it to me.  I’m probably answering my own question as I have not replaced the plastic one.  Even so, I still go back and forth between bringing this gorgeous timepiece back to all its glory or keeping it just as my father gave it to me all those years ago.

Thinking about what I just wrote, I think if I had a pristine new-in-packaging razor I would probably look for a user grade one to use and hold onto the NOS one as is.  This is just my 2¢ and obviously there is no one definitive answer.  I’m just glad to know that I’m not the only one who thinks like this.

Freddy that is a great story...thanks for sharing! And I know this won't sway your decision in any way, but I would leave it as is. My Grandpa's old safety razor was broke when i received it. Thankfully, it wasn't broke to the point it was unusable. But I've decided to leave it broke because I like the idea that he had to "finesse" the razor when inserting/removing a blade and I now have to do the same 25+ years later. To me, it seems like a cool connection with him beyond just having the razor.

Does anyone question themselves about opening NOS items?  Why or why not?

On one hand, I feel the item has been packaged for 40 to 60 years and should be left alone (a bit of a nostalgic aspect).  Other on the hand, I feel the item was manufactured to be used and who cares if it’s been sitting around for fifty years.  Obviously, there are also times when it’s a collector item and, for value reasons, it should be left unopened.  Some items, despite being NOS, may be more plentiful and opening the item is not a big deal.  But there are times I struggle with the decision.

I’m with you on this, HoosierShave.  That is, I see both points and can go back and forth.  It’s not just shaving gear, either.  I love fountain pens and use many, both vintage and new.  However, an unused, in original packaging, NOS would probably give me pause.  Sometimes, it isn’t even something that is NOS.  Many years ago, my late father gave me the pocket watch he was given for his bar mitzvah.  In just seven years it will be 100 years since he received it.  However, long before he passed it on to me, he broke the original crystal and just had an inexpensive plastic crystal put on the watch as a replacement.  I have gone ‘round and ‘round on whether to put in a good glass crystal or leave the watch as my father gave it to me.  I’m probably answering my own question as I have not replaced the plastic one.  Even so, I still go back and forth between bringing this gorgeous timepiece back to all its glory or keeping it just as my father gave it to me all those years ago.

Thinking about what I just wrote, I think if I had a pristine new-in-packaging razor I would probably look for a user grade one to use and hold onto the NOS one as is.  This is just my 2¢ and obviously there is no one definitive answer.  I’m just glad to know that I’m not the only one who thinks like this.

Freddy that is a great story...thanks for sharing!  And I know this won't sway your decision in any way, but I would leave it as is.  My Grandpa's old safety razor was broke when i received it.  Thankfully, it wasn't broke to the point it was unusable.  But I've decided to leave it broke because I like the idea that he had to "finesse" the razor when inserting/removing a blade and I now have to do the same 25+ years later.  To me, it seems like a cool connection with him beyond just having the razor.

Which is exactly why, in this instance, my heart has overruled my head and I have not replaced the crystal.  I doubt that I ever will but I still wonder what it would be like to put a proper crystal in the watch.  I think it’s great that you are continuing to use your Grandpa’s razor exactly as he did.  What a great combination of nostalgia and connectivity.

When I buy a NOS item it's the same as buying a brand new item offered for sale from any store. It's to be used. Period. Now if I was an avid collector it's a different story as it would end on the shelf or display with my other collector items. Just for looks. So to answer your question, NO, I don't question myself when opening a NOS item as I bought it with the intention of using it.

+1 I bought an NOS ERN Crown & Sword a couple years ago that's turned out to be one of the two best razors in my collection. I could have elected to leave it "as is;" but why?

I was once faced with this conundrum, but not any longer. Unless its a Red Dot Toggle or a Bottom Dial, still in its shipper, its probly going to get used.

Words cannot express the thrill I felt when I opened my NOS Old Spice soap, and built my first lather on the virgin soap with my freshly soaked brush. The earth didnt pause in its rotation, cops didnt knock on the door, and no reports of thunder or lightning. So nothing happened other than my joy and happiness. No regrets.

Words cannot express the thrill I felt when I opened my NOS Old Spice soap, and built my first lather on the virgin soap with my freshly soaked brush. The earth didnt pause in its rotation, cops didnt knock on the door, and no reports of thunder or lightning. So nothing happened other than my joy and happiness. No regrets.

Don't do it!

I like to preserve the history. I think if it is something that is plentiful, like say a Gillette Fat Boy, then I would keep the NOS one unopened, and buy a cheap user-grade one to use. But if it is something you really want to use and can't get another for cheap, then go for it.

I also don't understand the don't use it from guys ( no one in particular here) who will just stick it in a a drawer in their bathroom I mean "den" for whose benefit it's not at all clear ("I'll pass it on to my son who will stick it in a drawer in his bathroom if I'm lucky and it doesn't end up in a yard sale"). Unless you operate the local museum just use the darn thing.

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