Thread: "TRY BEFORE YOU BUY" idea.

I've seen this in the past and on other forums as well. I'm going to set up "loaner" sets.

Since we don't have monthly give aways I thought this might be something good to keep going year round.

I've got several razors of varying widths and grinds and some extra leather I'm going to make some strops with. I need to restore these razors first (mostly scales), and get some linen for the strops so it will be a few weeks before everything is ready, but here's how things will work:

Once I have the kits ready I will keep them available and sharp for any one who's interested but not certain on the straight razors. That person may, if they wish, contact me to arrange a loan of the equipment. I will likely require a fully refundable deposit, to be submitted to my business, that will cover the value of the set. I will carry a cheap mug, brush, and puck of soap that the person may purchase with the set and keep after returning the set. The person will have up to 30 days to evaluate the set and return it. Once I've received the set back in working order, I will fully refund the deposit. Then I will sharpen the razor and condition the strop for the next person on the list.

Additionally I will speak to Lynn about offering his video with these sets. I may require this in order to provide the new shaver with the necessary information to properly strop and shave. Even if I do, this will be much cheaper than having to buy an entire set just to try straight shaving for the first time.

This will be purely a not for profit venture. I will not make money on this. Depending on the feed back, and once I have the sets ready I will start a new thread, probably a sticky depending on admin forum feed back, with details, rules, etc.

Any genuine thoughts/comments welcome. No joking or off topic bs please.

Glen F

Originally Posted by Flanny

Since we don't have monthly give aways I thought this might be something good to keep going year round.

Glen F

I believe SRP has just started a monthly giveaway, though I don't think its permanent.

I think this is an excellent offer Glen.

Glen,
i like the idea... do you need any extra razors? that is all i can offer now...
i the concept of giving people an out if they decide that it is not quite for them is a good idea. it may take some of the stress off them and allow them to focus more on getting great shaves; not focused on "man, i just spent a ton of money and i cannot get a superb shave the second time , now I'm out the cash"

It sounds like a really nice idea to me, although a lot of work for you. Some of the knife forums have a knife passaround which is fun and useful in helping the members make their purchasing decisions.

I'd be glad to donate a Strop for this venture if you want. I've got a few Artisan "seconds" with slight cosmetic issues that would get a beginner going just fine.

Let me know what you need.

Tony

Originally Posted by OLD_SCHOOL

I believe SRP has just started a monthly giveaway, though I don't think its permanent.

I think this is an excellent offer Glen.

Yes it is permanet. as long as we have donations, Next Mont will be a Lynn honed razor, With Colleen Soap for the newb. A chrisgerrafe box and matching razor for everyone else.

Phil

Being new to straight shaving, I think this is a great idea. How long do you intend the loaners to stay with the person for? I would imagine this could be some length of time, the time it takes to learn how to shave correctly.

The idea would be a 30 day loan period.

I am interested in why some think it's not a good idea. What would be the draw backs that you see to this?

Thank you.

other than it being lots of work for you, I can't see any real down side to it...
You may need to figure a way to deal with the frequent rolled edges you may get...
also it might be a good idea to have several extra razors so that you can quickly rotate things through. If a razor is returned with a rolled edge, you can just pick out another one and send it back, and worry about rehoning when it's convenient.

Let me know if you do decide to do this, and I'll try to provide a nice wood handled razor for it.

Originally Posted by Flanny

I am interested in why some think it's not a good idea. What would be the draw backs that you see to this?

I love the idea, I'd actually thought about starting something like it up once I'm more established. Even thought of starting a thread for each kit being sent out to track the process and get status reports on each persons learning process with each kit.

My guess for the no votes is mainly worries about loaning stuff to someone that you barely know, but if it's something like one of Tony's seconds and a honed Wapi it wouldn't be too big of a deal, And I think as they would/already are coming to us for advice they'd quickly grasp the gentlemanliness of the forum and feel compelled to return it.

Edit: if not we'll just post their email address and sign them up to a bunch of spam links. (Did I say that?)