Thread: Wondering why these brand are expensive?

I was wondering why these brand of straight razor are so expensive : Wade & Butcher, Dubl Duck and Filarmonica? What make them so special?

Thx.

Personally, nothing makes them so special. They are expensive because the demand is there, they get talked up much, and the supply is limited especially NOS razors. Arguably there are other razors that will shave you just as well but are not as well known.

Bob

Bob hit the nail on the head,

My favorite blade to shave with is a Genco 6/8 head barber.

It takes a sharp smooth edge and holds it, it was a $15 dollar eBay special,

great shaves are not measured in dollars or brands

Originally Posted by BobH

Personally, nothing makes them so special. They are expensive because the demand is there, they get talked up much, and the supply is limited especially NOS razors. Arguably there are other razors that will shave you just as well but are not as well known.

Bob

I don't entirely agree with BobH - there's also a question of quality apart from desirability. When it comes to a shaving edge a good honer could probably make it hard to distinguish a Gold Dollar edge from a DD Goldedge - but which razor would you prefer to own?

Originally Posted by UKRob

I don't entirely agree with BobH - there's also a question of quality apart from desirability. When it comes to a shaving edge a good honer could probably make it hard to distinguish a Gold Dollar edge from a DD Goldedge - but which razor would you prefer to own?

Good point, bragging rights enter into it too but mean very little if the object is to to get a decent shave.

Bob

Sorry I disagree, with the above, they are proved brands, they Hone and Shave well, doesn't mean there are not other good brands, but those mentioned in good condition will deliver the goods..


I am eliminating the price factor, because a short time back (Less then 5 years) you could buy any of the 3 in NOS or Mint condition all day long for less then $50 and they were still "The Brands" to own because they deliver..

There are alot of other good brands that i am discovering.

Granted i do really want a wade and butcher and a TI.

But i think ill stick to more affordable brand until i can find a steal on the better names

Yea, they are "known" brands that proved they can deliver deliver and they have been talked up. Other lesser known brands have been mentioned to hone and shave well but not talked up as much so basically ignored.

I would almost bet that when these prized razors were to be had for $50 these other less well known brands could be had for $5.00. There was still a price differential.

Popularity, flavour of the month or what is in vogue, which ever you want to call it has a lot to do with it. That is the difference between must haves and just as good also rans.

Bob

I'm with Glen and Pfries on this one... Glen because of the tried and true brands and Pfries because of the Genco...

Tried and true doesn't always mean expensive, but it does mean consistent quality and shaves. The brands the OP mentioned used to, as Glen noted, fall into the category of tried and true while inexpensive. The Genco mentioned by Pfries is definitely tried and true but still falls (for now) into the inexpensive category... though I have to admit, the last few Genco's I've bought have come up in price a bit from my first few.

There are other great brands of razor out there which I'm sure shave well and smooth, but do they do it consistently from one razor to the next? That is the million dollar question...

Its all personal choice. Why do people buy $250k cars if they can go to the store with a Hyundai? Its all about taste and value and perception. There are very few things that we NEED, but lots of stuff we WANT. If somebody I knew was looking for a straight and had little money I would tell em to get an old vintage shave ready or whipped dog. It will shave, but if you got a couple in your pocket, why not!