Thread: Prices

Why such a big difference in new blade prices? Is it the quality of the scales? Will a more expensive blade keep a better edge? just curious

Not sure exactly what you mean.

But some manufactures use higher quality steel and scale material.
Customs are priced higher as they are customs.

No, just because a blade costs more, doesn't mean it will keep a better edge.
Going with a known producer of quality will most likely give you that.

There are a lot of cheap blades out there that should be avoided.

Customs cost more because most of what your are paying for is the craftsman’s time and unique skills. Also the quality of steel and scale material. Also a razor manufacturer is not going to sell the same volume of straights vs cartage razors and refills. Vintage is going to be cheeper mostly beacause the seller may not know what they have and/or it needs work to make it useable.
Red

The scale starts low with razor shaped object and then progresses into inexpensive straight razors and the up into affordable blades and then we get to fancy blades, customs, collectable blades. The scale starts at around $6 and runs up into WOW. Scales can add a lot of expense to a razor for sure. Flimsy plastic to carved vintage ivory and everything in between. Then there are levels of quality blades. As with many things you do get what you pay for most often. There are still nice razors out there without breaking the bank. A cheap razor that can be made to shave have a reputation for needing a lot of maintenance to keep them shaving. Higher end new production are suppose to hold the edge much longer. The vintage ones are my favourites, although some of them are very collectable and prices can get out of hand and sell for much more than new production. You do not need to spend a lot but you should expect to spend some.

Originally Posted by RezDog

The scale starts low with razor shaped object and then progresses into inexpensive straight razors and the up into affordable blades and then we get to fancy blades, customs, collectable blades. The scale starts at around $6 and runs up into WOW. Scales can add a lot of expense to a razor for sure. Flimsy plastic to carved vintage ivory and everything in between. Then there are levels of quality blades. As with many things you do get what you pay for most often. There are still nice razors out there without breaking the bank. A cheap razor that can be made to shave have a reputation for needing a lot of maintenance to keep them shaving. Higher end new production are suppose to hold the edge much longer. The vintage ones are my favourites, although some of them are very collectable and prices can get out of hand and sell for much more than new production. You do not need to spend a lot but you should expect to spend some.

The Only Thing that I'll add to my friends post is this:

I've never had a set of scales give me a better shave.

The blade is what makes it all happen.

Speaking as a purchaser and not as a producer of razors, I have noted several things that seem to affect the pricing of razor.

The least expensive new razors that still are quality razors tend to be quite plain. They generally have plain plastic scales and plain blades with no thumb notches, decorated spines, gold leaf, or fancy etchings. Also 5/8" width razors are less expensive than 6/8" and larger razors. A couple of razors that falls into this "plain" category are the Dovo Best Quality and the Boker Classic. The Thiers Issard Le Dandy has etching on the blade, so it is a step above the other two in price.

As you start adding desirable cosmetic features, the price starts to go up. That includes scales made of G10, wood, faux ivory, faux tortoise, horn or bone. Anything that requires an extra processing step is likely to add cost to the razor. Then there are some exotic features like prehistoric mammoth ivory scales that will really jack up the price.

For many of us, shaving with a straight razor is all about the experience. Driving a old, beat up used car might get you from point A to point B just fine, but most of us would rather drive a vehicle with more style, whether it be a restored classic, or a late model with all the bells and whistles. It is the same way with razors. A $100 razor might shave just as well as a $300 razor, but if you can afford the more expensive one, you are likely to enjoy the experience more, even if it does not shave any better.

By the way, you do not necessarily have to spend even $100 on a razor. You can find vintage (classic) razors that will give you a great shave and a great shaving experience for very little money as long as it is properly honed. Even an inexpensive Gold Dollar or ZY razor will give a decent shave if you get it honed, but you won't get any style points for using one.

So ultimately, it is all about your budget and your preferences. I like polished blades, etchings, gold wash, and nice scales, so I will pay more for those features. They add to my shaving experience. However, worked spines and thumb notches do not improve my shaving experience, so I would hesitate paying more for those features.

Thanks for you thoughts