Thread: Function vs. Aesthetics (poll for newbies)

I've been wondering for a while about this and I'd like to make a poll to see how you feel.
I know that everybody's opinion changes over time, so let's see how the newbies feel.

Please vote here only if you consider yourself a newbie. I'd let you decide, but I kind of want to know what way people lean when they join.
I'll probably run the same poll in another section for more senior members and see if things are changing.

What is function: basically the shave quality - not all razors are the same, 'good name brands' are on average better than 'lesser known brands' (although there I'm not a fan of some popular brands and there are few fantastic ones, which are just not so popular because they didn't make tons of razors).
Warping and hone wear of the blade I would consider function.

What is aesthetics: condition of the blade - pitting, tarnish, scratches. 'Brand name' I consider unrelated to function - I have razors that have no brand attached to them which are much better than some sught after brands. The scales I would also consider mostly aesthetics.

For example would you pay say double the price for a razor to have scales made of wood/horn or even more for ivory or carbon fiber, instead of the more common plastic. Or would you rather have a no-name razor that is a top shaver vs. not so good shaver, but from a popular brand.

For most people it's a balance so where do you think you fit, at least where do you expect you'll fit. I think I gave enough options (pure function, mostly function, equally function, mostly aesthetics, pure aesthetics).

as a newbie, i bought a noob (new out of box) henckel. work at a razor place and paid cost.
it's not shave ready and sitting on a shelf, so i'm using a borrowed wapi.

so i think i went for a good shaver, after looking at the reviews but will only know for myself in a little while , but it's basically plain black plastic with a grey twin logo.

next i'll go with both and get a Dovo renaissance, still plastic but better looking.

then i'll try to fight rad and stick with those two...
but i would also like to try one of those little japanese razor or get a custom maestro livi or a zowanda or....

so i went with 75%function and 25% aesthetics

i would pay good money for ivory scale but not on a unusable razor (unless i could use those to have a rescale on another good blade)

100% function if it looks good but wont shave whats the point, and if it shaves good why does appearance or brand matter

I'm a noob and use a wapi. It seemed that most thought they are good shavers, and it was relatively cheap. I wanted to start out modest but not so modest that I got discouraged by an impossible-to-shave-with razor. I will say that aesthetics played zero part in my decision for this first razor.

-graham

Dude, it's been about a month. I'm looking for a great shave right now. Later, when I'm displaying razors in my shave den, assuming I make one, I might care more about aesthetics.

I'd rather have function than beauty. But what is the deal with spending 100 bucks on a razor, and getting a really crappy plastic handle? Doesn't make sense to me. The cost difference can't be that much. Sell it for 10 dollars more and put a wood handle on it.

Originally Posted by stdreb27

I'd rather have function than beauty. But what is the deal with spending 100 bucks on a razor, and getting a really crappy plastic handle? Doesn't make sense to me. The cost difference can't be that much. Sell it for 10 dollars more and put a wood handle on it.

Point taken but it may cost more than just $10 to make that change, especially if the wood is "exotic" don't you think?

Al raz.

I voted 75% function. I wanted to vote 100%, but that would make me a hypocrite, because when I bought my DE I avoided the Merkur Progress because of THAT ugly plastic knob.

I wonder if there are any equivalent monstrosities in the straight razor world?

BTW I wouldn't knock the Wapienica. I happen to think it has a special charm of its own.

Originally Posted by grahamule

I'm a noob and use a wapi. It seemed that most thought they are good shavers, and it was relatively cheap. I wanted to start out modest but not so modest that I got discouraged by an impossible-to-shave-with razor. I will say that aesthetics played zero part in my decision for this first razor.

-graham

Right now I'm in acquisition mode to determine the size and style str8 I like. I have 7 str8s, 5 found in antique shops for $10 - $15, 2 were new, Col Conk Cracked Ice scales and Dovo Special Tortoiseshell scales. Six are 5/8 and one is 4/8. Three are round points and 4 are square. I'll use the $10 blades to learn honing. They are 2 Shumates, a Torrey, a Henkel, and a no-name.

Down the road I'd like to get something like a Mastro Livi, but I don't want to spend $400 or more and find out I don't like big blades. I haven't shaved with a square point yet (they need cleaning). My plan is to clean up the Henkel Platinum square point and send it out for honing. Then I can learn the square point without worrying about my honing skills.

I'll probably re-scale the antiques down the road. So it's 75% function for me. I want my str8s to look nice, but mainly I am looking for good shavers at this time.

Dave

I love beautiful razors, but the one thing that is absolutely necessary is that they also be really good shavers.

Have fun,

Lynn