Quote Originally Posted by TulaneBoy View Post
Okay, thanks, Bob. So basically, if the steel is not just absolute crap, and if you like the way it looks and feels, it's a good razor, and no brand has a particular monopoly on quality? That actually makes sense to me.
Not exactly, The steel has to be a certain quality but so do the dimensions of the blade to allow a proper bevel angle and so on. The razor has to meet certain standards in a number of areas to be a quality razor.

You will have more luck buying an entry level razor from any of a number of makers who are recognized as producing quality razors. Even the best of them can make a poor razor on occasion too. The makers Dovo and Boker are only two of many brands available that make quality razors.

Anyway there are no easy answers such as buy brand XYZ and you will not have any problems.

Bob