Thread: Making a living..

Originally Posted by hoglahoo

Do you think this applies to Hart? Are they bucking a trend or are they doomed?

I would say Hart falls more in line with my "mini Dovo" theory then a custom maker.
I would hope they have the ability to stay a float. If so, it could be a good sign that straight razor market has the ability to gain a little bit of ground (no mater how small..lol)

I have to say, theeditor's position is one I have contemplated greatly while on SRP: "You start to hang out in these forums and talk to other razor guys and start to think "well everyone should obviously want one of these" then you realize most people don't even know they exist except in history books." And I recognize there are a lot of posts on this topic. However, as applied to this forum topic on making a living from knives or straight razors, I think we are headed toward a period where guys like myself (32 years old) take a step back and ask if the evolution of the razor has been all Gillette has made it out to be in it's marketing. This sentiment bodes well for the straight razor maker/expert honer guys out there. I don't think it's profound or unique to myself. Especially since in almost all other regards I am mainstream middle of the road. I am an attorney, I where argyle, I play a ton of golf, I have season tickets to Husky football... not odd duck stuff really. It may take another five years or so, but I honestly believethis straight razor thing is certainly going to trend up during this decade. Fortunately for me, it doesn't affect me drastically financially one way or the other.

All good points. I think the custom side of this hobby could be used as a way to "supplement" the amount of money a guy has to spend on razors, tools and the like.

Jeff

Originally Posted by TURNMASTER

All good points. I think the custom side of this hobby could be used as a way to "supplement" the amount of money a guy has to spend on razors, tools and the like.

Jeff

I think that is very valid at this point in the game. For myself, I want to make a few razors for me. Mostly because I enjoy learning new things and taking on new challenges. That type of activity helps break the tedium of my "regular job". Beyond that if I decided to keep making them I would be happy if it were just a way to support the new hobby. Lord knows I don't need another hobby unless it is somewhat self supporting.

Ray

Originally Posted by Mike Blue

It's a pretty simple formula

1. Get a really good paying dayjob, or,
2. Have had a really good dayjob with a great pension, retirement plan, trust fund, or,
3. Win the lottery, then,
4. Make razors until the money is all gone.

Story of my life-without the winning the lottery, pension, retirement plan, trust fund parts.

I made the decision years ago to keep a job to support my habit. The usual reasons-wife, kids, college, health insurance and on and on.
But also I realized early on that as much as liked making blades I was not cut out to get up everyday and do it.

I did not like it as much when it became a job.

Originally Posted by TURNMASTER

All good points. I think the custom side of this hobby could be used as a way to "supplement" the amount of money a guy has to spend on razors, tools and the like.

Jeff

That is exactly what I do.
With the exception of the grinder I am now buying, most stuff I buy for the purpose of restoring / making razors has been paid for with the little money coming from razors. That way it does not eat into the household budget.

Originally Posted by UWPete

I have to say, theeditor's position is one I have contemplated greatly while on SRP: "You start to hang out in these forums and talk to other razor guys and start to think "well everyone should obviously want one of these" then you realize most people don't even know they exist except in history books." And I recognize there are a lot of posts on this topic. However, as applied to this forum topic on making a living from knives or straight razors, I think we are headed toward a period where guys like myself (32 years old) take a step back and ask if the evolution of the razor has been all Gillette has made it out to be in it's marketing. This sentiment bodes well for the straight razor maker/expert honer guys out there. I don't think it's profound or unique to myself. Especially since in almost all other regards I am mainstream middle of the road. I am an attorney, I where argyle, I play a ton of golf, I have season tickets to Husky football... not odd duck stuff really. It may take another five years or so, but I honestly believethis straight razor thing is certainly going to trend up during this decade. Fortunately for me, it doesn't affect me drastically financially one way or the other.

Exactly. I only got into straights as of last christmas. I got a new dovo. It took me a few weeks to work up the nerve to use it but once I did I loved it. After that it took me a few months to actually start looking at old ones and then to start working on them. Restoring them, doing custom scales etc. Now thinking about blade making. So for me it's relatively new. WHen I started restoring blades I didn't know what to do with the first ones I made. They were not bad but I wouldn't have felt right selling them. SO I gave them to friends. I probably gave out 10. Out of those 10 friends I'd say 6 stuck with it.

The interesting thing about all of them is they knew nothing about straights. Except for the references you see in movies etc. No idea that you could purchase them or even use them.

Out of the 6 that stuck with it I'm currently doing another one for 3 of them, this time its a paying job. I'm just happy that they enjoy it.

I think that most normal people have no idea that they even exist. You say shave and they think some brand name multiple blade thing or a disposable. In the age of advertising a better product does not automatically make a more popular one.

I'ts sad but if someone slaps on the word "green" to a straight lord knows how many people would want one.

Having custom razors become a viable business seems to be an exposure thing. If you ask 50 people I'd wager that 49 of them would have no clue there is even a straight/DE market.

I think you two may be correct. I see a lot of vintage things making a comeback. Tobacco pipes are one example. If SRs could become a trend like cigars did a few years ago. there would be a big flare of people try it and some would stick with it. But your right, for this market to really grow it needs a serious amount of exposure. A couple articles in some of the men's mags would not be a bad idea either.

Ray

Originally Posted by Danocon

I did not like it as much when it became a job.

You beat me to this statement. I have experimented with many hobby's and have enjoyed them. When I think about charging for something it becomes "work". It takes a lot of the fun out of it.

Also from my experience with jewelry, the low end of the market is not feasible for an individual. You can't even compete charging for just the material let alone any sort of wage.

Tim

Originally Posted by 32t

You beat me to this statement. I have experimented with many hobby's and have enjoyed them. When I think about charging for something it becomes "work". It takes a lot of the fun out of it.

This is the number one reason I do not provide restoration services anymore. I did not have time to work on my own projects anymore, and I felt under obligation to spend time on things, even if it was inconvenient to do so.

Now I am making blades and do some restoration work, but not to order. I just do whatever I want, and when I finish something I use it for a while and then I sell it whenever I feel like it. Much more satisfying, and no pressure.