My Strange Experience with ClassicShaving.com

Not sure if I'm posting in the correct forum, but here goes.

I have been a good customer of ClassicShaving.com for a long time now. I was on the market for a new razor, so of course I went right to my favorite store. They have always helped me with all my needs and answered the phone every time. Even better, they were only 2 hours away from me in Southern California.

So as I was browsing their site, I noticed Blades Grim on their list. Now I know that Classic Shaving usually sells high quality products. So I emailed them to see what these blades were about. The next day I got answered by someone from "The Grooming Network" (Hmmmmm). He says they are one of the BEST blades out there. So of course I thought for a day, or so and went and placed my order for a 6/8 Round Tip with Carbon Fiber scales.

After I order a product, I start hyping myself by researching it high and low on the net. As I was searching, I was coming across all these REALLY NASTY reviews about Blades Grim. I couldn't believe it! Of course, these reviews were done way back in 2009, or so. Of course I went to call up Classic Shaving to get some light of this from them, and WHAT???? No phone number? And WHAT??? Idaho??? I'm all confused! So while researching this issue, I noticed that Classic Shaving was bought out by "The Grooming Network" literally this month. Then I had to go see where Grim Blades is located. Sure enough,.... Idaho! Oh, and same zip code! I can see why they would talk so good on these razors. So I emailed back on my order saying I want to cancel. Of course there was no answer at all! And no phone number.

At this point I was really upset and feel I've been had and a company has come and bought out my favorite shaving store and turned it into a racket. Then I read on and on everywhere. At some point, I came across all the new talk from 2014 to present about Grim Blades. All good things to say and conversations on how they've been revived and are of great quality. So I figured, if I can't get their attention this way, I went and asked if I could refuse the order and put the funds toward their Butcher razor, which is even more money. Still no response. I emailed again. And still no response.

My original razor I ordered showed up today and while looking at it, it actually does seem like high quality. But I am still not fond of the way they do business with bad communication ethics. I feel it's weird that one company owns Classic Shaving, Grim Blades, StraightRazor.com, Straight Razors.com, and not sure which others and not even have one phone number to call for a question. I miss my contacts at Classic Shaving.

Has anyone else had this issue, or can shed light on this subject?

Brand names & corporations change management/ownership all the time. If Classic Shaving changed & you feel that the standard is not up to what you experienced in the past; then your business should go elsewhere. This thread cannot be the focus of a critique on Classic Shaving.

Full disclosure here; I don't shop with them, so I'm not trying to deflect your concerns with the company.

I know that you want your concerns heard, but I don't believe that this thread should be the venue.

it is what it is and these things happen all the time.

Remember, vendor bashing is not allowed on our site so anyone replying to this thread keep this in mind.

Interesting..
Every now n then I put an order in with classic shaving.
Their facial scrub is second to non imo.
Plus I want a new T.I razor pouch for my favorite W&B's.
In the past I was really impressed with their customer service. It would be a shame if they lost some of that.
Anyway I'm really tired of buying from USA-land, customs keep ripping me off and I can take no more,.... No more I say!
:)

Much has been written about Grim Blades, not all good.
I would personally not use the razor, drive to Classic Shaving, Grim Blades, StraightRazor.com and ask/demand a refund.

I appreciate the responses. And the last thing I want to do is bash any vendor. I am a vendor on another forum for truck accessories, so I know what it would feel like. I was just shocked with customer service. I will end up using the blade though. I have to admit they shipped fast. Just would be nice if someone was there to answer any questions I had. I'll give some feedback on the blade one I use it.

In the midst of all this, I noticed that Wade and Butcher is coming back. Not sure how the quality will be compared to the original company. But I would've waited on a new blade had I known a day earlier. Oh well. We shall see.

I recently met the guys from Grim Blades. I also questioned someone who's opinion is respected by many in this community about them. He said their products have improved immensely and their custom service still is lacking but it is getting better too. I think they must have a following somewhere or they could not stay in business, never mind buying other companies. In the end to try your new razor or to send it back rests with you. I am sorry you feel duped by the change in ownership of Classic Shaving, and completely understand that these things get really confusing. More and more these things are hard to follow.

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Originally Posted by RezDog

I recently met the guys from Grim Blades. I also questioned someone who's opinion is respected by many in this community about them. He said their products have improved immensely and their custom service still is lacking but it is getting better too. I think they must have a following somewhere or they could not stay in business, never mind buying other companies. In the end to try your new razor or to send it back rests with you. I am sorry you feel duped by the change in ownership of Classic Shaving, and completely understand that these things get really confusing. More and more these things are hard to follow.

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Well one thing I can vouch for is how hard it is to grow a business especially when branching out like they are. I'm am one of those and it can get pretty difficult to get everything into play. They may just turn out to be a great source all around in the future.


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by RaptorAddict

They may just turn out to be a great source all around in the future.

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Yeah... Nahh...

I hate to tell you man but the razor you bought is on this list:
Brands of Straight Razors to Avoid - Straight Razor Place Library

I can't say much more without breaking the forum rules re vendor bashing.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by onimaru55

Yeah... Nahh...

I hate to tell you man but the razor you bought is on this list:
Brands of Straight Razors to Avoid - Straight Razor Place Library

I can't say much more without breaking the forum rules re vendor bashing.

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Well, I'll be honest and say that I have now shaved three times with this new razor to quite frankly, I am pretty impressed. It was incredibly smooth each time. It was so good of a shave that I sent my Dovo and Hart Steel into them for a hone service. I'm a gambler, so I'll take my chances to find out how they'll turn out. And to be honest, I think Grim Blades was on that bad list prior to 2014.


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Originally Posted by RaptorAddict

. And to be honest, I think Grim Blades was on that bad list prior to 2014.

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I tried honing one this year. Geometry was terrible, steel was soft & never made it thru one pass so make of that what you will.
Was very much like a Pakistani made razor which the seller is/was known to sell.

I was introduced to straight razor shaving through the Artofmanliness straight razor (it was given to me as a gift) near the end of 2015. This razor was made by Grim Blades and I've been pretty happy with it. In an online video, the company's owner admits that their early blades had issues but claims the newer razors are better. YMMV :)

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Originally Posted by MikeJones

I was introduced to straight razor shaving through the Artofmanliness straight razor (it was given to me as a gift) near the end of 2015. This razor was made by Grim Blades and I've been pretty happy with it. In an online video, the company's owner admits that their early blades had issues but claims the newer razors are better. YMMV :)

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sorry but he did not tell the truth, the latest versions are still poor. no offense, but the quality just isn't there Tc

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RaptorAddict

After I order a product, I start hyping myself by researching it...

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Not to state the obvious, but you need to replace the word "after" with "before" in this quote and all will be right as rain.

None taken.

I have read mostly negative things about grim blades and straightrazor.com. I can only speak about my personal experience though. I honed a "Hybrid" one piece razor for a forum member earlier this year. As far as I can figure this razor is made by Grim Blades. I wasn't expecting much based on what I had read about the company but I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the razor. The grind was better then most production razors and it was a pleasure to hone. It took a nice thin, even bevel and the test shave felt great. Attachment 250794

We should keep in mind that an entity selling cheap and overpriced things can garner-up all the fashionable names and still sell crap using them all.
If quality is in a name, there should be no need for a dozen names, JMO.

One name should suffice! :hmmm:

Blades grim made some fancy videos at some point when I was looking to buy another razor and almost had my money.

That site honed 2 of my razors and I wasn't satisfied. I tried to contact them and they never responded. That was a year ago. Sou ds like not much has changed. That's too bad. Although I have heard from others that they have had better experiences.

Did I read that they also bought Hart Steel razors?

Not trying to start any rumors or anything. Just thought that I read that on one of the razor forums.

Most of the businesses mentioned in this thread are owned by a member who was banned from SRP for unethical business practices. It has been our practice to delete such threads so I will close it for now pending mod review.