Thread: My Definition of a Custom Razor

Originally Posted by UKRob

So going back to my Mastro Livi analogy - if I go along to his workshop and specify a 6/8" damascus, full hollow with french point and mommoth scales and watch in awe as he pounds the metal - that makes it a custom. However, if after writing down my requirements, he takes me into his retail area and says here's one I already made (in that exact specification) it cannot be a custom by definition - because it was not custom made for me.

I think that just about ties things up nicely.

Couldn't agree more. I will take the cheap seats and have my Ford with new paint and keep a couple of dollars in my pocket for a rainy day or my next razor. Isn't it all the rage today to re-purpose lumber from old homes and reuse it for a new project? I will take a vintage blade in a new set of scales and be happy as the day is long. I just wont unveil my new razor in the club section of Customs, I will happily present it in Acquisitions and leave the rest to semantics and linguists.
In my humble observation why do most of the custom blades appear to be closer to axes or other implements of destruction than the vintage productions? Or am I just a bleacher creature who cant understand the finer things in life? Does the $1000 price tag and all really shave closer?

Originally Posted by ultrasoundguy2003

Does the $1000 price tag and all really shave closer?

I haven't had the pleasure of shaving with a custom razor so I can't tell you if it shaves closer, but I think there is more to the custom razors than just function (although function could be part of it). The ones I've looked at in photographs, some of them are so artistically beautiful as to easily qualify as an art object.

Art isn't all together rational. It is an emotional response. I love leather bound books, airplanes, fine tools, and a few other things which have elements of both form and function crossing into art. My leather bound books don't actually work better than an e-book; especially when traveling. Yet there is a tactile response and emotional attachment to finely bound leather books the e-book reader just doesn't produce for me.

I haven't had the pleasure yet, but I can see a finely executed custom razor feeling better and with the right performance features even shaving a bit better for a particular individual. I'd love to try a shorty straight razor for my sideways beard on my neck. I am making the full size one work, but I bet having two matching razors, a shorty rendition of one and identical of the other would be cool for me. I don't know I'd have to try it first.

Then of course there is the simple appreciation of using something of great artistic beauty on a daily basis. YMMV of course...

Best,

Ed

Originally Posted by Gobbo

... from Urban Dictionary, I offer this:
You can't polish a turd, but you can spray paint it gold, and call it custom.

You can roll it in glitter too...

Regards,
Neil

Gobbo,

The gentlemen participating in this thread have maintained a tone of civility and good taste. Please remember that.

Originally Posted by Obie

Gobbo,

The gentlemen participating in this thread have maintained a tone of civility and good taste. Please remember that.

Please accept my apologies I did not intend to cause any offense. I will delete my post.

This is hitting the outer edge of minutia.... and I am eating it up.

We can all look up the definition of "custom" in the dictionary and apply a strict interpretation of that but does that fit the current discussion? it reminds me of when I was working and the Govt had this application which folks kept filling out incorrectly in huge numbers. The Agency decided people were just stupid. Most of us thought it meant there was something bad about the form which needed changing.

That's why I brought up the notion of "custom class" razor. Kind of a half step below true custom but basically most of the attributes of a true custom.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

We can all look up the definition of "custom" in the dictionary and apply a strict interpretation of that but does that fit the current discussion? it reminds me of when I was working and the Govt had this application which folks kept filling out incorrectly in huge numbers. The Agency decided people were just stupid. Most of us thought it meant there was something bad about the form which needed changing.

That's why I brought up the notion of "custom class" razor. Kind of a half step below true custom but basically most of the attributes of a true custom.

Perhaps 'halfcust' would have been more apt then people could draw all sorts of conclusions from 'half crust' (ie half-baked) to half-cussed (for example when mocked by others for paying too much).

In the same vein, seeing as these are made by an artisan I offer 'custisanal' - don't go using that yourselves, it's mine, I thought of it first...

Regards,
Neil

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

We can all look up the definition of "custom" in the dictionary and apply a strict interpretation of that but does that fit the current discussion? it reminds me of when I was working and the Govt had this application which folks kept filling out incorrectly in huge numbers. The Agency decided people were just stupid. Most of us thought it meant there was something bad about the form which needed changing.

That's why I brought up the notion of "custom class" razor. Kind of a half step below true custom but basically most of the attributes of a true custom.

Well you definitely stirred the pot and what has ensued has been a spirited discussion. Semantics aside I want all who are artisans and quality restorers or even shaving enthusiasts to have a place at our community table. Our definitions and feelings for this lifestyle are strong. I for one want to learn and be motivated to further my skill set by learning from ALL members. Once we stratify into a class system of razor snobs I must excuse myself from further debate that pushes others out at the expense of those who want to elevate themselves and their product into the rarefied air which is lacking the oxygen of common sense. Custom does not have a singular rigid no room for any other thought definition. Custom is different, just like each of us is a custom individual. But we all fall under the umbrella of gentlemen.