Thread: I think I have finally found a better word for "custom" razor

I like the innuendo, Ron. It is not very subtle, but might actually work in this environment.

Fun fact: I've spoken to a number of "custom makers" over the years. You would be surprised who among them said things like "Paua is ghey as duck, but these people will buy it, so what can I do?".

It is, therefore, revealing that you instinctively go on the defence on behalf of the makers - most of whom I consider victims of bad taste, not perpetrators.

Originally Posted by RobinK

- most of whom I consider victims of bad taste, not perpetrators.

There is the real nugget of truth in this discussion

The very idea of "Custom" is that you get paid to make what the CUSTOMer wants, The best CUSTOMer is the one that says, "You are the expert, I leave it in your capable hands and my favorite color is XXXXX try and fit that in someplace"

They are few and far between

Are we talking the design of the blade itself or more fit and finish? Because, in my mind, there are many vintage Solingen’s (which I love) that have a fit and finish that could be deemed “chichi”. From Dubl ducks to Globusmen to even my most loved Bartmann razors. They all display a bit of gaudiness in certain models.

However I do think that as long as it works as intended and the end consumer is happy it’s all fine in my book.

Brings to mind the 'bespoke' thread a few years ago, particularly as we see some come to the market as second-hand.
The gaudiest seem difficult to garner near their original price.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

The very idea of "Custom" is that you get paid to make what the CUSTOMer wants, The best CUSTOMer is the one that says, "You are the expert, I leave it in your capable hands and my favorite color is XXXXX try and fit that in someplace" They are few and far between

Truer words were seldom spoken. And yes, my original post was somewhat provocative. To quote the venerable Jordan B Peterson, "In order to be able to think you have to risk being offensive."

Now, I can understand anyone who wants to own something special. Especially when it comes to straight razors.

Now, funky scale materials, I can understand. To a certain degree. Friends of mine made me this, and I think it is perfect:



I can also understand gold plated razors, like this little work of art:



What I cannot understand is any deviation from an industrial design that has evolved over centuries. But maybe that is just me.

Thanks!
Robin

Well...Those Bitchin' scales are deviants for certain..
Whatever makes you smile!

Originally Posted by RobinK

What I cannot understand is any deviation from an industrial design that has evolved over centuries. But maybe that is just me.

Thanks!
Robin

You had me until you used the word industrial.

Easily mass produced and cheap designs are not necessarily the Best!

Tim

Originally Posted by sharptonn

Well...Those Bitchin' scales are deviants for certain..
Whatever makes you smile!

They glow in the dark!!!111

Originally Posted by 32t

You had me until you used the word industrial.

Easily mass produced and cheap designs are not necessarily the Best!

Absolutely not. Such as "Filarmonica" (mass produced in Solingen), Dubl Duck (ground by apprentices), Puma (made by God knows who), and so on. And that is not mentioning Klaas, Böker, Dovo...

Originally Posted by 32t

You had me until you used the word industrial.

Easily mass produced and cheap designs are not necessarily the Best!

Tim

I don't know for a fact, and maybe the 'vintage' experts here can either corroborate or set me straight, but I posit that the straight edged straight razor came into popularity at the same time that the razor factories started grinding with double wheel grinders. Until that time when the razors were hand forged and free hand ground on single wheels, smiles were more the norm. The double wheel grinders do not easily lend themselves to mass production of smiling blades.

Originally Posted by bluesman7

I don't know for a fact, and maybe the 'vintage' experts here can either corroborate or set me straight, but I posit that the straight edged straight razor came into popularity at the same time that the razor factories started grinding with double wheel grinders. Until that time when the razors were hand forged and free hand ground on single wheels, smiles were more the norm. The double wheel grinders do not easily lend themselves to mass production of smiling blades.

Interesting thought.

And most straight edges after honing for a while end up with a smile.... Or a frown!

I am not saying that all mass produced things are bad but that design of them and materials used are a compromise and biased toward the mass production and cost thinking not the best overall quality.

Tim