Thread: Ummm.... No?

Originally Posted by Ecl

... I'd want a unique one, made to my specifications. And that blade scares me.

Yeah, i've found in nearly every area of endeavor where craftsmen are still making things--that yet have corresponding mass market products. That a ONE off can be had for about the price (sometimes less) than a semi-special, made for everybody product from the big mfg. Drawback is that you MUST know the product well enough to not be hornswaggled. I really dig stuff made by people with names over stuff made by companies with departments. AND I"M NOT commenting directly on the OP razor, I know nothing of the maker/company/seller. General terms as sparked by the text i quoted is all.

I'm all for a fellow or two making a buck. Sooner or later it may trickle back into my economy.

Originally Posted by Ecl

But the stitching on the pouch is pretty good work for a bison. I suspect it's hard to sew with those hooves.

built-in thimbles eh? Just a matter of lining up the gooves.

Originally Posted by Hart

It's a beautiful razor but I think it over priced. I applaud them for not undervaluing their work but am I wrong to think it too much?

Attachment 160507

I suppose it is only too expensive to those of us who, if we had that sort of money, wouldnt buy it based on the price.

I have no idea what they are asking for that razor. But let's say they are making a 50% markup (no idea what kinds of markups people work on, this is just a rough figure).

So divide the asking price by 1.5. Then guesstimate the materials costs for scales, steel, pins, on-costs (electricity etc) and subtract that.

Then take a guess at how many hours work that particular razor would have taken to make, and divide the figure above by that. That's the estimated hourly rate of the maker.

I honestly do not know what that comes out to be as there are a lot of variables and unknowns (to me) in that calculation. Who knows, these custom guys could be raking in hundreds of dollars an hour for all I know. But I doubt it.

Anyway, of course that's just the really pragmatic way to look at custom prices. When you start adding rarity, collectibility, artistry, desirability, some may even argue stupidity (on the part of some buyers) etc on top of that you enter another world entirely. A lot like art in fact. One man's finger painting is another's Picasso and so on...

James.

Originally Posted by edhewitt

I suppose it is only too expensive to those of us who, if we had that sort of money, wouldnt buy it based on the price.

Yup, with you on that one Ed....what's that old saying, "if you have to ask how much it is, you probably can't afford it."

If you don't like the price of that one don't even look at mine when they come out :<0)

Originally Posted by Hart

Nobody here own one? Spend all your money on a $2K dubl duck razor or $600 brush, or maybe a $4900 Kamisori I was just looking at?

I agree about the pointyness. So many custom razor makers feel the need to take designs to such extremes that they end up making something that you might get if you asked a 14yr old to make something cool. They look fascinating and impractical at the same time.

There are several members here who own a custom razor from this individual & I have yet to hear anything but good about them. There is even a thread here that showcases the razors that members buy from him.

Though the point on that razor does not interest me, you can rest assured there is a market for that point. My last conversation with this custom maker included a discussion on this very topic. I had seen another razor with a point like this & expressed my feelings about using one. He gets requests from veteran shavers for this style of point.

The listed price on that razor & the price you would pay, if you had him make it just for you, is not that far off.
In 4 years that I've known him, I've never read, or heard of, anyone who got one of his custom razors & did not think they got their money's worth.

Would I pay that price for one of his customs , made to my specs, you bet I would.

Jimbo, if you click on the picture it will open up the site, the picture IS the link, I found the thread very confusing until I realized this.

Just in case you're feeling extra lazy today and can't bring yourself to move your mouse and click(I'm not judging):

A retailer called Fendrihan is selling a Max Sprecher for 1050 Canadian dollars, that'd be 1029 Australian dollars to you.

Originally Posted by Hirlau

There are several members here who own a custom razor from this individual & I have yet to hear anything but good about them. There is even a thread here that showcases the razors that members buy from him.

Though the point on that razor does not interest me, you can rest assured there is a market for that point. My last conversation with this custom maker included a discussion on this very topic. I had seen another razor with a point like this & expressed my feelings about using one. He gets requests from veteran shavers for this style of point.

The listed price on that razor & the price you would pay, if you had him make it just for you, is not that far off.
In 4 years that I've known him, I've never read, or heard of, anyone who got one of his custom razors & did not think they got their money's worth.

Would I pay that price for one of his customs , made to my specs, you bet I would.

I love spike points, not only aesthetically but for the function as well...they are definitely my preference!

Max is a world class craftsman. I have enjoyed his work product with a couple of his customs and his beautiful restorations. Not to speak out of turn but I seriously doubt Max has any control whatsover of how vendors might price his product and I do not believe it need concern him. I appreciate the fact that this level of craftsmanship attracts $ for these gentlemen and that allows them to continue their work and support themselves. The fact that I cannot afford very high priced razors does not mean I cannot appreciate the workmanship that the product evolves from. If I was uber rich I would probably have a 7 day set of Zowada damascus, Max's customs, Jeness customs, Brian Brown's work, Robert Williams work and on and on. : )

If there is one downside to customs, its that you'd better be in love with it, truly in love with it. Cause if your not (and it happens) you will probably not get back what you put into it.