Thread: Custom Razors...Perhaps You Don't Get What You Pay For

Did you test the Razor vs the Scales ???

IE: have you taken the razor out of the scales to see if the error is in the build of the Steel or the build of the Scales. do you know how to test this ???
If not I have multiple threads on SRP that shows this exact problem

Only so much error in the steel can be compensated for in the build of the scales it really is just that simple

Whether the seller or the builder is responsible to making it right, I don't really know nor do I have much of an opinion on...

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Did you test the Razor vs the Scales ???

IE: have you taken the razor out of the scales to see if the error is in the build of the Steel or the build of the Scales. do you know how to test this ???
If not I have multiple threads on SRP that shows this exact problem

Only so much error in the steel can be compensated for in the build of the scales it really is just that simple

Whether the seller or the builder is responsible to making it right, I don't really know nor do I have much of an opinion on...

+1. It would seem to me that either the pivot is drilled in the tang on a skew, IOW, not at a 90 degree angle to the blade, or the scales are not drilled at a uniform 90 from one to the other, or ..... the tang is unevenly ground. What else could it be ? Possibly shimmed incorrectly, with one side more than the other. It seems to me that it would be a mechanical fix. FWIW, I cannot recall the exact transaction, because it was years ago, but I had a problem with something or other, probably a razor, that I bought from Classic. I made a phone call and whatever it was, they made it right.

Gentlemen,

My limited experience with custom made razors has been positive. My modest collection includes: Max Sprecher, Robert Williams, Butch Harner and Ali's Blade. All are well made and superb shavers, and I am delighted to have them. Two more customs, due probably by summer's end, will round out my collection.

Yes, I had done extensive research before ordering each blade. I knew Robert Williams and Max Sprecher and expected nothing but quality from them — and got it. I had interviewed Robert Williams for my Conversations with Obie and felt his artistic spirit and dedication to his craft. Max and I had had many conversations through the years. Max also had restored a pair of Wade & Butchers for me — a perfect case of turning crows into swans. I had also been following Max's custom work. By Jove, the 8/8 custom he made for me is exquisite in every respect.

I don't know Butch Harner personally, but his razor, bought from Classic Shaving, kept smiling at me before I ordered it — and it keeps on smiling. Nor did I know personally Cedric Christ, Ali's Blade maker, but had followed his work extensively. What I received from him is another exquisite razor, in design and shave.

Bob Allman and Brian Brown I have followed for years, as well, and seen the glorious work they produce. I know when my razors come, they will be works of art by two consummate artists and craftsmen.

As a novelist and writer, I can easily feel the artistic spirit and dedication to craft these gentlemen possess. I am sure whatever they create will be the best they can do, as whatever I write is the best I can do. That defines the artistic spirit.

I also understand, like in any field of endeavor, there are those who claim to be artists, but their work falls way short of the lofty exclamation. The custom straight razor world is not immune from these artists, but I don't know of any personally.

In the end, do my custom straight razors shave as well as my beloved vintage Germany razors? Yes, they do, but I keep the two straight razor worlds apart, taking each razor for what it is and exploring its pleasures.

Have had 5 customs,3 Livis ,all great shavers but do not like them.
Two powells (great razors).
Unlike some in this thread.I do not have alot of expendable cash, so If I was shipped a defective Razor,I would raise holy hell with the maker.
Not just put the blade in a Drawer and say such is life.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Did you test the Razor vs the Scales ???

IE: have you taken the razor out of the scales to see if the error is in the build of the Steel or the build of the Scales. do you know how to test this ???
If not I have multiple threads on SRP that shows this exact problem

Only so much error in the steel can be compensated for in the build of the scales it really is just that simple

Whether the seller or the builder is responsible to making it right, I don't really know nor do I have much of an opinion on...

I know I said I was going to abandon this thread, but because you asked.....

As this is basically a Hart Steel blade and the razor is made by one of Hart's artisan bladesmiths, I really did not think I would be having to worry about this being a product which was the handiwork of some rookie or fly-by-night razor manufacturer. This fellow is one of Hart's full time guys who turns out a consistently good razor.

That being the case, here is the same blade in a set of Hart steel maple scales. I am sure you will see the difference is significant.

As earlier mentioned, the irony here is that I really, really like those scales. To me, they are what made the razor. Yeah, maybe I'll call Classic.
Thing is I really cannot figure why the maker didn't jump on this earlier and try to rectify the situation. Maybe he's just that busy?? (I'm one of those guys who likes to think the best of a situation when at all possible). Hmmm, all I asked for was another set of scales. Nevertheless I still do enjoy this razor crooked scales notwithstanding. OK, now I'm really done. No mas'.........

Give them an inch and they take a mile.

If someone can sell shoddy work and get away with it their work will only get worse.

I have a few Custom Class pieces and haven't had issues with any of them but if I did it would be returned to whoever sold it.

Originally Posted by Phoenix51

I know I said I was going to abandon this thread, but because you asked.....

As this is basically a Hart Steel blade and the razor is made by one of Hart's artisan bladesmiths, I really did not think I would be having to worry about this being a product which was the handiwork of some rookie or fly-by-night razor manufacturer. This fellow is one of Hart's full time guys who turns out a consistently good razor.

That being the case, here is the same blade in a set of Hart steel maple scales. I am sure you will see the difference is significant.

As earlier mentioned, the irony here is that I really, really like those scales. To me, they are what made the razor. Yeah, maybe I'll call Classic.
Thing is I really cannot figure why the maker didn't jump on this earlier and try to rectify the situation. Maybe he's just that busy?? (I'm one of those guys who likes to think the best of a situation when at all possible). Hmmm, all I asked for was another set of scales. Nevertheless I still do enjoy this razor crooked scales notwithstanding. OK, now I'm really done. No mas'.........

I'm not clear on the scale issue.

In this post, are these the scales that you wanted and ordered with the razor fixed now? Or have you been given scales that weren't your choice for the razor?

No...I also have a Hart Steel with 2 sets of scales; one set in Cocobolo,


the other in Maple,



which you are seeing here to clarify the point that the scales in question, the brown micarta from yet another razor are in fact less-than true.



Sorry if the issue got muddy....

Would making a reference to Colonel Mustard in the drawing room with a candlestick be bad form???

Originally Posted by Phoenix51

No...I also have a Hart Steel with 2 sets of scales; one set in Cocobolo,

the other in Maple, which you are seeing here to clarify the point that the scales in question are the brown micarta from yet another razor are in fact less-than true.



Sorry if the issue got muddy....

OK - got it.

Given then what you've described, if you requested and paid for a certain scale material because that's what you wanted, then that's what you should get - period. Barring any unforeseen shortages, which could then be communicated and timing worked out, I'd expect to come to a resolution promptly. In my mind, this shouldn't be complicated.

When you buy a custom from a maker you deal directly with the maker. When you buy a custom through a retailer you deal with the retailer. It's that simple.

One of the main reasons a maker sells through a retailer is to simplify things for themselves so they can spend their valuable time in the shop and not have to deal with customers calling or emailing them. After all the maker does pay a commission for being sold through a store and it's the store's responsibility to take care of all communication and issues that can occur.

IMO He probably just got to busy and forgot. Still no excuse since he did reply to your initial email but that's another topic.