Thread: Why Do Some Brands Command Such High Values

Originally Posted by sqzbxr

Nice off-topic bashing here. I don't see how this benefits anyone.

Sorry - was meant as a common refrain I hear from techs, I'm a tech, and love the Apple solid state manufacture of their products, I have I Indy workstations, Linux, I work and use them all, was going along the favorite brand thing, like Ducks or W&Bs....as I post this with my iPhone while my hated Work Blackberry sits on my desk in my office...:-)

It's strange isn't it?

It's all steel, it's all similar
a different name/logo on it makes the values differ like crazy

funny how that works huh

I see the prices as a challenge. The feeling you get when you spend 20 bucks on a great razor is excellent. OTOH, I almost feel guilty spending an appropriate amount of money on a razor (certain circumstances don't apply) but am willing to pay top dollar for top quality service. I found an 8 dollar WH Morley, it was my first razor restore and hone. Very little rust, spent 1 hour honing it from dull on 5k/8k/12k and not really knowing what I was doing. It still turned out awesome.

This probably describes me best. My father was in finance for 40+ years and told me this "John, you're cheap. I'm trained to be frugal. But, I can't be called cheap. You're on a whole different level, many CEO's would be happy to cut off an arm to have you in their offices."

I want to thank everyone for their contributions to this thread. and hope its not finished yet

Although I have a few modern razors which shave well, I think the older razors have a different feel, can't quite explain it, all have the same purpose, personal preferences, size, weight grind can also have a baring, I have never tried a wedge, but grinds are for a different place

it's no different than other things. Some brands garner more interest for mysterious reasons. Compare a Chevy pickup to a GMC. They are the same except for cosmetic differences though their fans will argue otherwise and GMCs cost more. Same with the Colt and S&W fans who will argue which is better and Colt is usually more expensive.

I think if the razor is well made the vintage doesn't matter. I have about 100 razors these days, and a good razor is just that. If I was blindfolded I couldn't tell whether it was new or not for most of them. What is true is a vintage piece when it was new shaved better than most new factory pieces these days. QC is probably the reason which is lacking these days. We accept the fact a new razor will need honing. Back in 1920 if a new piece needed honing it was defective and would be replaced as such. However once properly honed the differences disappear.

A subject that is more important is how does the guy starting out know if his new razor is shaving well? Obviously if it tugs and pulls and leaves whiskers behind there is a problem. However many new razors will give a close shave however the comfort factor may have issues or maybe in those difficult areas with heavy growth a tad more pressure is required. I suspect many are shaving with subpar razors and haven't a clue.

I agree that hype can contribute to the market. Some of that may be founded or unfounded. I have a few off brand razors that shave like a dream....I also have some "in demand" name razors that shave like a dream. Let your face be your guide.