Thread: If you were going to make a production razor...

Originally Posted by RezDog

Well I think marketing is a big part also. There are tons of inexpensive vintage razors out there all cleaned up and shave ready.

I agree about the vintage razors being available. The difference like you said is the marketing. Having a single name on identical razors that will be the exact same level of quality no matter where you purchase it is what make the sales. While most of us who frequent this forum can evaluate vintage razors and tell a winner from a dud, most folks new to the hobby don't have any idea.

Originally Posted by MattCB

I think it's possible. China can turn out quality merchandise... you just have to be willing to pay for it. I think the hardest part (And what makes all of the Gold Dollars and others such a crap shoot) is the quality control in the heat treatment and grinding.

I saw a video of the Dovo factory that showed how they stamp thier blanks. I assume that the initial up front cost of such a machine would make it unattainable for most people/companies.

Stamping is expensive because of the machine and the molds. Purchasing a machine that can produces tons of force (literally) is close to top tier in price. It would be cheap in the long run, but there's a reason why it is common in cutlery and automotive manufacturers. Not sure that level of scale would be feasible...

Actually, to keep costs down, stamping IS the most affordable way to go in a mass production plan. Heat treating in large amount of "batches". The only part by hand would be very minor finishing, assembly, and honing. Making a razor below $100 US would be a almost magical feat.

Originally Posted by Bruno

At the price point you mentioned it is only possible if you use pre made mass produced blanks like dovo or ralf aust. Not even water jetting will save you the time needed for hollow grinding. Stamping out hollow blanks like dovo is the way to go.

Do you think that a razor aimed at the "starter" crowd could demand a better price and still sell well? I don't own any new straight razors and usually get price shy at about $60 to $70 (but I'm cheap )

Originally Posted by MattCB

Do you think that a razor aimed at the "starter" crowd could demand a better price and still sell well? I don't own any new straight razors and usually get price shy at about $60 to $70 (but I'm cheap )

I think it would be better to keep it lower, greatly more difficult, but would probably convince more gifts and men to start. Something in the range of 2-3 packs of carts would make cheapskates like you and I jump over more easily.

Stampibg is what dovo does. It's the only way to keep the price low. I understand you want a low price but realistically look at the time needed to make razors i don't see how it can be done. If your margin is only 40$ before taxes you just cannot pay wages let alone make a profit

I'm merely trying to contribute to this thought experiment. I think that the initial cost is a contributing factor to the reticence of beginners to pursue straight shaving. Other factors are there, of course. Is it feasible to get a sub $50 or $60 dollar razor? I can all but guarantee it. ZY and GD are under $15. Their quality is lower than more respected brands, but I have seen a number of posts about quality issues with T-I razors as well. This is a testament to high scale manufacturing. With enough quantity sold, you can pursue more dedicated manufacturing methods. Is it even possible to sell that many straight razors to reach quantities to justify these methods? I have no idea, but slightly doubt it. That alone puts a gigantic hole in this thought experiment. Not to mention getting someone with enough money to even get this thought off the ground. My father works for venture capitals and I doubt any of them would even give this business plan a thought before calling security.

However, Ralf Aust produces razors that are of a quality that I have not heard a negative comment yet. These are sold out of SRD in the US for ~$100 for the basic model. That includes shipping from Germany to the US and wages for workers in Germany. Where labor is typically more expensive than here in the US, not to even mention taxes. If one is able to increase the automated aspects of the manufacturing process and produce the razor in a country that has an average of lower manufacturing costs, you can drastically reduce the price.

This is all for a company making only 1 style of razor in an appropriate quality range for the cheapest price. The time aspect will be severely reduced from the superb works of art you and other custom manufacturers create.

I know a little something about it
There is no way I could ever see a $40-50 US straight being made and to be honest I think it's tough to keep the price in the $100-150 range and be profitable.
I think that is where people lose sight of things.

I think with price point it breaks down into US/UK ("western" countries) vs China / Pakistan. If you are going to source and produce the razor in any of the western countries you would probably need to be at or above $100. If you outsource part, or all, of the materials or process to much cheaper labor markets your can probably achieve a quality that would sell for $50.

I'm personally interested in an American made company, but understand the arguments for outsourcing.

Originally Posted by MattCB

I think with price point it breaks down into US/UK ("western" countries) vs China / Pakistan. If you are going to source and produce the razor in any of the western countries you would probably need to be at or above $100. If you outsource part, or all, of the materials or process to much cheaper labor markets your can probably achieve a quality that would sell for $50.

I'm personally interested in an American made company, but understand the arguments for outsourcing.

Out sourced production tend to get shot down.
I'm pretty sure someone already does/did that once. Basically had the razor made in China then honed and scaled them here.