Thread: Clarification - Kamisori Razors

The new Kamisori razors really look good, and at least the blued one is a Timor under a different name. I've been told by one of the sellers of this product that it's made by Dovo, which makes Timors, so...
The problem is price. I've seen the Kamisori "Blue Steel" one selling on ebay with the "buy it now" option for $89.95. I can buy the Timor all day long for $59.95, and they don't have a reputation problem to overcome.
I believe Amy said earlier they'd list for $59 to $79. I think Kamisori is being a bit unrealistic if they think people are going to pay the same price for their product that they will for a Dovo or Timor, which are known quality products. $39 to $49 would be more in line, to give people an incentive to try them. When they've established a better reputation, then raise prices to match current quality brands. Just my opinion.
I make knives, and I think I make a good one, but I can't charge the same prices as, say, Ed Fowler or Ron Lake or Bob Loveless, and expect anybody to buy one. I'm not known the way they are, even if I'm using the same materials, construction, etc. There are so many vintage razors on the market that are superior to anything being made today, that it's going to take a serious incentive for people to try a "new" brand, particularly one with a negative reputation to start with.

Joe,
Some of the price issue comes from the manufacturers themselves. My current Dovos, and my previous Fromms and Timors are all priced within a very few dollars of each other when purchased from my distributors. If I apply a standard markup as I am sure Kamisori does all will be basically the same price. It basically puts any of them around $58 / $60 or so.

Tony

the prices, $60 to $80, are introductory I believe and would go up after that, making them more expensive than the Timors.

I will say this, I applaud Amy's willingness to send evaluation razors.

I spoke to a rep at Goldollar, a chinese manufacturer of razors, and couldn't even get her to give me a definite cost of how much to order and ship sample razors. She was adamant that I'd have to pay for it but wouldn't tell me how much it would cost.

Amy's willingness to send Kamisori razors for FREE for evaluation speaks highly of desire to prove the razor.

Glen F

Hi All-
Thank you again for your positive comments.
Mr. Ellis’s (urleebird) straight has been processed and shipped already but I have yet to get a hold of adjustme69 and randydance. I need your shipping addresses so if you are reading randydance and udjustme69, please private message me with your shipping details.

Mr. Chandler-
Although I completely agree with you on some points, I have to disagree with you in regards to our pricing policy for the razors. As per our company’s policy I cannot really say whether or not Dovo makes them but I can tell you this much that our partners are a well-known company based in Solingen, Germany. In contrary to some speculations, I can also say that the new Kamisori razors are not identical to any other razor out there including Dovo razors. The prices that are tagged on by other distributors on ebay and elsewhere is entirely up to them but they do not represent our MRP's. Right now, our prices are $59.95 for the Blue Blade and $79.95 for the Paladin. In all fairness, we think this intro price is more than adequate for what the razor is worth. Our cost from our manufacturer to produce customs razors is very high and the profit margin is very low after all of the company’s expenses but we accept this because we do want an incentive for people to buy and try. I also had to say our company does not have a overall bad reputation, however being a straight user I do understand your assumption. Many of our award-winning Japanese shears have been around the market and respected for many years. Kamisori is known mainly for our high quality scissors and shears more than anything else. We are somewhat new to the straight razor industry and I acknowledge that some mistakes were made with our previous razors and misconceptions were heard, but this certainly did not bring down or change our overall image as a brand name because our straight razors are not nearly as big as our shears. Although we do hope one day it CAN be as big as our shears.

I am sorry for not providing razors to the newer users/members but I promise on my next giveaway I will give them away to anyone that registers on the thread, even is you are a “newbie”.

Best Regards.
Amy
www.kamisorishears.com

You have a really good attitude.

I wouldn't say 'give one to everybody', go look at the giveaway thread, there are 100 people asking for razors. you could just contact the 'nubs' who showed interest here .

And we're always up for trying out new toys

obsessis-
Sorry, I meant anyone who registers in the thread as a candidate can qualify to be a winner in a draw or something similar. I know you have shown alot of interest so I will keep you in my mind for future giveaways.

Amy
www.kamisorishears.com

Ok, I'm very new here and I know nothing but it sure seems to me like they are willing to "preach to the choir" in order to try and get some positive feedback on their products. Nothing like going in to the lion's den and trying to sell them mane shampoo, eh?

I think this is pretty good marketing in this day and age, go to the people who know their stuff and have been convinced your product is subpar and send them product... let the product and quality speak for itself and be truly evaluated, then let the reputation build up from there. You gotta admire that pluck. I don't have a straight yet but I'll be getting one soon, and if a positive eval comes back from you gurus I might be convinced to try one of these. Of course if you guys savage it, I think it could be pretty rough going for them too, so they're showing some nerve.

Then again, I may go try to get a used one from one of you guys instead, so I have a blade with some "back story" like I prefer. Who knows? All I know is I think what she's doing is pretty cool.

-- Gary F.

Kamisori IS very well respected for their scissors and shears. I would like to think that their confidence is well placed in their straights; what do we have to lose if these razors have the same exceptional quality.

Being new to straights myself I do not have the experience to find and buy good quality razors on ebay; I want to invest in something that will give me a good shave. I really look forward to the reviews from the Honorable Honemeisters, their words are as good as gold.