I stumbled across this while reviewing a typical Munich restaurant, after having shaved with a vintage Solingen razor. Let's discuss...Quote:
chichi
/ˈʃiːʃiː/
attempting stylish elegance but achieving only an over-elaborate pretentiousness."
I stumbled across this while reviewing a typical Munich restaurant, after having shaved with a vintage Solingen razor. Let's discuss...Quote:
chichi
/ˈʃiːʃiː/
attempting stylish elegance but achieving only an over-elaborate pretentiousness."
While I agree some custom razors are a bit over the top, the fact that they function in their intended use negates pretentious reasoning.
True, but that was never the point.Quote:
Originally Posted by Grazor
Unintended consequences.
If you used that word to someone from Mexico you could be in a lot of trouble.
It is true some custom razors are pretentiously chi-chi in their appearance and custom and on the whole that is truly visual on seeing. But there are a select few custom razor makers that adhere closely to the proven standard of razor geometry while developing new standards that do create contemporary razors of outstanding visual quality without the caul of chi-chi-ness of the majority we see today.
You mean like the Buick LaCrosse?Quote:
Originally Posted by thebigspendur
Interesting. How do you define "custom razor maker"?Quote:
Originally Posted by Razorfeld
I bet that word sound would awesome said by a German....rather than a snobbish, demeaning remark from some pretentious twit it would sound like a Odin calling down the Gods of War!!
"Smite that razor from my view and presence!! Let the call go forth.....ChiChi!!!!":mace:
I find this very interesting.
I think first of all to have a discussion we need your definition of "Custom".
Well, we all know the learning curve is quite steep shaving with a straight.
You can't help but admire anyone who has the gumption to attempt making one from scratch.
A bit of artistic license can be expected making one off items.
For me the OP's suggestion about custom razors rings true in some cases, not all though. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and that differs from person to person so there is something for everyone in the custom razor world. As always you are free to spend, or not, your money where you wish.
Bob
Life is full of chi chis. It is part of the universal desire to set oneself apart from the crowd.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kees
That must be part of the reason that I see some outlandish, imo, custom razors. It must be a conundrum for makers to establish their products as different from the others.
Bob
I think this applies to both buyers and makers: both want to show off.Quote:
Originally Posted by BobH
Yes, that is the other side of the equation. There is something for everyone out there regardless if you find it tasteful personally. I buy what I like and others are free to buy what they like. Unless asked directly I do not comment because I don't want to pee on anyone's parade.Quote:
Originally Posted by Kees
Bob
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.
I see what you are trying to say, but I would counter that it depends on the design.Quote:
Originally Posted by RobinK
And it also depends on the eye of the beholder.
You prefer the minimalist, functional design. Others prefer something much more elaborate. In that sense it's like jewelry. Some people like very modern, minimalist design, and some people prefer victorian style gaudiness.
To each their own. I have orders for both ends of the spectrum. My only requirement for making a customer design is that it is fully functional and that the design does not impede normal use, honing, stropping etc. I have refused several orders for that reason. Other than that, the customer is king.
Quote:
Originally Posted by RobinK
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.
Then there is that in the mix too. You make what sells and not necessarily what you prefer to make. It is a business after all.Quote:
Originally Posted by RobinK
Bob
Robin, you and I share the same aesthetic. In my own opinion, nothing but vintage suits me... I can and do appreciate the work, and artistry, that went into creating the modern custom razor, but I have only seen a handful (meaning 2 or 3) that I would own. But those few were very nice, and rather vintage looking, and perhaps one day I'll spring for the modern I would have.
If you like vintage style buy a modern Dovo/gold dollar or equivalent.
There is no way that a custom maker is going to make a living competing with mass produced/vintage objects by copying their design.
From what I see most custom blade makers today must have a rich Uncle to support their hobby.
Thank you, that pretty much sums it up for me too.Quote:
Originally Posted by cau
Bob
Quote:
Originally Posted by 32t
There are a few out there that in their repertoire produce fairly conservative custom straight razors.
Bob
Next time I order from Ulrich at Koraat I'll insist he add a "no chi-chi" option on his configurator...wonder how that will work?
Well, if your last name is Zowada you can make a plain looking razor and still get $1500 for it easy. Of course most can't.
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."Quote:
Originally Posted by gssixgun
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:
https://tohserver.com/~robin/SRP/Bitchin.jpg
I can also understand gold plated razors, like this little work of art:
https://tohserver.com/~robin/SRP/Esbjerg_Aust.jpg
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! :D
You had me until you used the word industrial.Quote:
Originally Posted by RobinK
Easily mass produced and cheap designs are not necessarily the Best!
Tim
They glow in the dark!!!111Quote:
Originally Posted by sharptonn
Attachment 288066
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...Quote:
Originally Posted by 32t
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by 32t
Interesting thought.Quote:
Originally Posted by bluesman7
And most straight edges after honing for a while end up with a smile....:hmmm: 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
Well, you can blame the industrial revolution for mass production and standardization and lower quality however if it weren't for that many of these items would be priced beyond the average person's reach.
I'm not sure it's all that bad though. I know with watches hand made pieces can almost be discarded when they need service unless you have very deep pockets and some complex items might not even exist.
I am not blaming the industrial revolution for mass production and saying that it is all bad. But to base the Ultimate design on what is produced by it is not necessarily the best choice.
Not all so called custom things are any better but if you truly want the best and have the deep pockets to afford it....:shrug:
If you look at the evolution of straight razors they evolved to smaller, more hollow, thinner shanks and minimal embellishments. People today still chase vintage 10/8 wedges, 8/8 hollows, thumb notches, gold wash, etc. These things are not needed and were vanishing as straight razor shaving was at it's peak. "Chi-Chi" is always in demand whether custom or vintage.
a bit off topic, but since no one's gonna mention it I will: "Chi Chi" is how you pronounce one of the japanese words for (female) breasts.Quote:
Originally Posted by RobinK
It's also a bit like the Chinese for "thank you" i.e. xiexie - pronounced something like "shih sherh"
