Originally Posted by
71L
I think the thread has diverted from the original question a little - could it be done for $100-120? Yes, as a matter of fact, it is - the PortlandRazorCo sells their "the Sprite" razor for exactly $120, and I believe I heard when they first started it was an even $100.
The thread later diverted to make the price point $40-60... considering the amount of "hands-on" time PRC puts into each of their semi-custom razors and the cost-cutting methods already discussed at length in this thread I believe that yes, should one get the starting capital to buy the equipment and then be able to create the appropriate economy of scale, it would be possible.
So the question becomes... is it possible to get the numbers? This is exactly what diverted the thread to the $40-60 range, stating maybe the lower price-point would bring the "cheapskates" (self-proclaimed, I'm not calling anyone names here) into the fold... What makes me believe that lowering the price point won't bring in the numbers is that it hasn't. As mentioned, several third-country razors, for example the Gold Dollar, routinely sell for $15 and this hasn't brought in large crowds of "cheapskates" into the straight-razor world... I know, of course, that the quality isn't there, but the fact is the vast majority of new buyers don't know that. They have no idea the Gold Dollars are poor quality and they still don't sell at the numbers it would require to produce a good quality, Western-made razor for 3-4x more $.
So the issue, it would seem, isn't completely about how "cheap" we can get it, but more so about marketing and perceived value... making it "cool". I can tell you first hand that the "interest" is there. I teach at a University and when male students hear I shave with a straight-razor they almost unanimously say "I've thought about doing that/will do that someday, but I don't have the money right now" obviously intrigued by the "cool factor" from the gleam in their eye. This is especially pronounced among the "hipster" types, even the ones with long, untrimmed, often sparse-to-mangy-looking beards... obviously they're not interested in the shave itself and more in the "cool/hipster-y" vibe that retro things have attained right now.
When female students hear I shave with a straight-razor, they are almost unanimously concerned about whether I cut myself and why I would take the risk - when I explain the fact that it turns out to be much cheaper (except for the various acquisition disorders I don't typically bring up) in the long run and that it provides a "zen" experience and forces me to slow down and appreciate my shave, they become very interested and think it would make a great gift for their boyfriend/fiance/brother/dad.
So I think the interest is there, certainly among the college-age & young-adult crowd that right now is interested in "retro" stuff... what is necessary is the proper marketing and perceived value/coolness - maybe if Apple made a straight-razor? maybe it could show you your text messages while you shaved or you could voice-activate Siri with it. :gl:
