What to ask for in a cheap custom

After I acquire one more razor to complete my must have list (a light blue scaled filly doble temple), I would like to have a custom in my rotation also. The problem is, I don't really have enough capital to have a top of the line custom made.

What should I be asking for to keep the costs down under $250 when ordering from one of the more well known razor makers? I personally don't want bone or expensive wood scales, though carbon would be a nice pipe dream, and high grade steel is also out the window.

What I do want though is a smiling blade with darkened metal and a French point. That is the only thing I wont budge on.

I realise that there is much more thing to factor in to the making of a razor (jimps, spine, grind, tail, point, etc...), but that is what i am asking help on to keep the costs low.

Thanks in advance for all the advice and help.

You may want to ask for a genie in a bottle. I'm not sure you'll find a custom of any sort in that price range...

Have you thought about something akin to a Wacker? Not completely a custom, but well within your price range?

Beagal,

Yes, but I would have never known if I didn't ask. I have seen some customs made as low as $400 in the past and they did look rather nice, but I was hoping something simpler could be made at a lower price.

Maxi,

I have had a look at his range and saw one or two that did look good, but those damn gold washes are not my style. Plus the only one I had taken to was in the $700 range. For that price I could easily ask Jacques or Mastro Livi for what I really want. Thanks for the suggestion though.

I would suggest contacting the makers who's work you like and talk about it with them. That is the only way to get any definite answers about prices and what you'd get.

Ya, unfortunately the words cheap and custom don't usually fit well in the same sentance. You could always try contacting one of the makers though and you may get lucky. :gl:

Well, thanks for the advice everyone. I will contact a couple of the makers and see what results will come. If not, a year saving leftover change should suffice.

Get yourself a piece of obsidian and knock a chip off. Very custom and very affordable.

I think your price range may well be unrealistic but if you went for blade only & made your own scales you might trim some cost.

I hate to state the obvious, but other than contacting a blade maker...you could simply make your own with whatever you had in mind. Roll your eyes, but if you take a "can do it" type of attitude and jump in you can...trust me. If I can do it, so can you. Take a visit to the workshop and forge threads for a while to see what I am talking about.

I'd have a look at something like a Hart razor. I would class them as semi-custom. They are around your price point and they are great shavers.