Thread: Odd Observation from a Newbie

The US is not alone, there are virtually no world currencies backed by gold left. Inflation could also be worse Zimbabwean dollar - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia .

Bob

Thanks all for your replies to this thread. Great stuff to think about, and all really good stuff! Thank you!!!

It wasn't abandoning the gold standard that caused inflation, per se, so much as that allowed for rampant, un-financed spending.

Under the Bretton-Woods, the dollar was fixed to a certain quantity of gold/$. When we abandoned BW, we essentially had the ability to fire up the printing presses because we didn't need to assure the world there was a commensurate increase in our gold stock (real assets represented by those greenbacks).

Aside from the notable example of Zimbabwe, the German Deutschmark in the Weimar period (eventually necessitating the introduction of the Rentenmark) experienced hyperinflation for a number of years as a result of WWI debts and reparations. Similar situations also occurred in Brazil and Hungary.

(Ok, I hijacked the thread again - but only because it looked like the OP concluded his discussion )

Originally Posted by OffTheMapKnives

I just put a post in the “Intro” section, but figured a little background was relevant here to this post.


I have been a DE shaver for a few years, and recently just took the plunge into a straight by ordering one from SRD (haven’t even received it yet)


I got interested in DE because I got sick of the cost of cartridges, the razors themselves changing often and the whole process seemed such a waste. When I found out how much better the shave was, it was the right thing to do. It seems only natural that I finally get to a straight razor.


Just getting into this, I have an odd observation (it may be true, or it may be just my current perception) but I would like some feedback from you guys here.


To take my attraction to the DE one step further, the thing that attracts me to the straight razor is not having to rely on a supply chain. Self reliance, doing things yourself. One tool, maintained yourself, capable of serving you for the rest of your life. It will keep working without having to buy things for it, throw things away, and buy more things. I am attracted to simplicity it a lot of different things.


The straight razor seems to be a simple tool that at one point in time probably every man owned. Whether he was darn near poor, or considered wealthy. It just had to be something that was available to the common man and probably almost taken for granted.


The places around me that actually carrying straight razors and supplies are all marketed towards the very wealthy. Extremely expensive stuff. Even though it is obvious that they are overpriced, stuff for using a straight razor is still quite expensive.


I have seen the guides about “buying on a budget” and all that. But, consider this. When you get into something, you would like to think that you could afford the “mid-grade” version of something. If you take a look at Simpson brushes, even a mid-grade brush will cost $150. Sure you can buy the cheapest, and I have beyond the cheapest when it comes to the brush. But, I can’t help but think about what I am missing, and would strive to at least get something mid-grade. Even though I would like one, I couldn’t possibly see my self spending $150 for a brush! My kids don’t want for anything, but if I were to do that, I couldn’t help but look at them and think about there is some way I should have spent the money on them instead


I guess my whole point or observation here is this: Does it not seem odd that something that was available to the “common man” now seems only available to those with lots of disposable cash?

During the heyday of straight razors, we were a rural, agrarian nation (speaking of the U.S.). Most people didn't have daily access to a store, so businesses made their reputation by building things that lasted. Same with children. Children were an economic asset to a family because they contributed their labor growing up.

With the majority of people now living in cities, there are more businesses that cater to the needs of people. In order for the economy to support all this business activity, the business depends on repeat business in order to sustain itself. A razor company couldn't make it on selling someone a straight, strop, and hone that lasted for years. So they came up with razors that needed disposable blades. Same with children. They are required to go to school, which means they contribute to the cost and not the revenue of households. That's why families are generally smaller. To give you an extreme example, my grandmother was one of 14 kids growing up. She had two kids (including my mother). Those two kids had one child each. I don't have any children.

Taken one step farther, after World War II ended in 1945 there were two superpowers, the US and Russia. 25 years later, the countries that were defeated in the war were rebuilt and we became a global economy, resulting in more, cutthroat competition to stay employed and stay in business. It wasn't enough for Gillette and Personna (formerly Gem and Everready) to sell you blades. They needed to sell you disposable razors and accessories to sustain themselves. Third World companies can't afford these things and some of the older shaving methods are still provided, but you can bet these businesses are going to push the newer stuff on them as soon as they are able.

As for you and economics, there are ways to get around the expense of straight razors and accessories. In our Classified section, there are outstanding refurbished razors and accessories for sale from trusted fellow members. Most of them don't depend on this income for a living, they do it as a pastime. If you buy the World of Straight Razor Shaving DVD, you can save money learning to do the upkeep of the razor yourself. This is not on the video, but I have learned to drill out the knots on old brushes and get a first class replacement knot for $20 to glue in. However if you do decide to buy the new stuff, there are reputable dealers who can provide these things and make a living because there are relatively few still offering these things.

Shifts in lifestyles and the marketplace created the paradox you cite. In a sense, we who favor the retro shaving equipment aren't the "common man" in the strictest sense of the word. The "common man" uses the stuff you find on the shelf at huge department store and drug store chains. Take comfort in knowing you and I are in a better place shaving-wise!

Originally Posted by AspiringPolymath

It wasn't abandoning the gold standard that caused inflation, per se, so much as that allowed for rampant, un-financed spending.

Under the Bretton-Woods, the dollar was fixed to a certain quantity of gold/$. When we abandoned BW, we essentially had the ability to fire up the printing presses because we didn't need to assure the world there was a commensurate increase in our gold stock (real assets represented by those greenbacks).

Aside from the notable example of Zimbabwe, the German Deutschmark in the Weimar period (eventually necessitating the introduction of the Rentenmark) experienced hyperinflation for a number of years as a result of WWI debts and reparations. Similar situations also occurred in Brazil and Hungary.

(Ok, I hijacked the thread again - but only because it looked like the OP concluded his discussion )

I was working on a cup of coffee and not to inclined to get this deep into it. Thanks for going there for me.

No problem I'm working on my coffee now. I accidentally woke up too early thinking fall back was today...haha

I inherited three razors and a strop from my grandfathers estate. There is something to be said that these blades last several lifetimes.