Thread: My Definition of a Custom Razor

I like the way Ed put it. I think that most of you are trying to put to narrow a parameter on the word custom. If I make a razor from scratch with out having a buyer lined up is that still not custom. If I have a maker create a special razor for me, custom, but if I have him make the same razor six more times for a seven day set, not custom? One thing I like to do is to take a plain razor and make "custom" scales for it and do a little grinding, drilling and etching, is that also "not" custom? Just because a manufacturer pulls a razor off of the production line and hands it over to an artisan doesn't make it any less custom. Besides, custom is just short for customized.

Originally Posted by guitstik

I like the way Ed put it. I think that most of you are trying to put to narrow a parameter on the word custom. If I make a razor from scratch with out having a buyer lined up is that still not custom. If I have a maker create a special razor for me, custom, but if I have him make the same razor six more times for a seven day set, not custom? One thing I like to do is to take a plain razor and make "custom" scales for it and do a little grinding, drilling and etching, is that also "not" custom? Just because a manufacturer pulls a razor off of the production line and hands it over to an artisan doesn't make it any less custom. Besides, custom is just short for customized.

I agree.
Whether or not the artisan made a one off using only his own design ideas or a customers ideas does not affect the "custom-ness" of it.
Imho.

What exactly qualifies as a custom is debatable I guess. In the eye of the beholder perhaps. Here is a razor that Robert Williams made for me back in '08 IIRC. There was a Japanese razor, the name of which I cannot recall, that had an absolutely radical smile. I love smiling blades and wanted a custom that was similar but not quite as radical. I made a pencil drawing of what I wanted and emailed it to Robert.

We discussed it on the phone and ironed out the details (no pun). Pre-ban elephant ivory scales, damascus forged blade, and copying the profile of the point on a W&B Bow razor. Here it is in a few photos. The one where the bevel is not honed is Robert's after he finished it. The others are mine after I honed it. I specifically asked RW not to hone it BTW. Wanted the pleasure to be all mine. In retrospect I might have asked him to go ahead and hone it. It was a job, but well worth the results.

Wow! That is just beautiful.

Ed

So the next question is does the concept of "custom" differ from the makers viewpoint versus the purchasers viewpoint?

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

So the next question is does the concept of "custom" differ from the makers viewpoint versus the purchasers viewpoint?

If you put rims and tires on your stock car is it custom? If your position is that I have to have a forge and blacksmith my blanks from scratch it sounds kinds Elitist doesn't it?
Something in the middle sounds more reasonable does it not? Or do we want to become razor snobs as for spitting hairs as to what is custom or isnt? People who make there Old school cars jump and raise and lower different wheels is NOT my idea of custom. But I have to acknowledge that to the owner it is.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Kudos to the guys who have the time,money,knowledge, and passion to build from carbon steel ore.

Is there not room at the table for those who have equally detailed skill sets yet choose to restore the vintage and rebuild it differently? If you know more than I ..I want to learn to take it to the next level. Circumstances of life should not preclude artisans who strive for excellence within their skill set from not being custom.

Putting on pinstripes is a little sketchy for calling it custom but I have seen some detailers that make a pinstripe job look custom. I guess collectively we would have to look at the quality and depth of what makes it a custom. Mona Lisa is just a painting of a girl,, Right? Knowing what is all involved makes it a Masterpiece.