Thread: First straight razor, Ralf Aust or Revisor

Interesting point, Bob. However, Dovo do operate a factory. As, I am sure, do the Chinese makers. Aust, Revisor and Wacker operate Kotten. The term "artisan" is at best misleading, and does not apply to Solingen manufacture anyway. We are talking about skilled craftsmen (cf dual education system) and decades of knowledge. Artisan makers are, by definition, self taught, which means they have to reinvent each and every wheel. This approach may appeal to some. I personally prefer things that work, and have a sensible price/performance ratio.

Let's agree to disagree with regards to nomenclature. For me, a razor either shaves, or it does not. The rest is a) totally personal (cf the myriads of hone wars here), and b) seems to be more of a cultural thing (cf German forums).

Originally Posted by RobinK

Interesting point, Bob. However, Dovo do operate a factory. As, I am sure, do the Chinese makers. Aust, Revisor and Wacker operate Kotten. The term "artisan" is at best misleading, and does not apply to Solingen manufacture anyway. We are talking about skilled craftsmen (cf dual education system) and decades of knowledge. Artisan makers are, by definition, self taught, which means they have to reinvent each and every wheel. This approach may appeal to some. I personally prefer things that work, and have a sensible price/performance ratio.

Let's agree to disagree with regards to nomenclature. For me, a razor either shaves, or it does not. The rest is a) totally personal (cf the myriads of hone wars here), and b) seems to be more of a cultural thing (cf German forums).

Most certainly we can agree to disagree wrt nomenclature.

Oth, as for a razor either shaves or doesn't, that is a complete over simplification imo. Personally I throw out a DE blade when it gets to the point where it starts tugging a bit and gives a shave that is no longer smooth and comfortable. However it will still shave after a fashion.

With a straight razor that has a blade providing a similar shave a simple touch up on a finishing hone will bring it back to shave ready if a good stropping fails to do so. I think that is the point on some factory edges as received from a new razor taken from a sealed razor box. It may shave after a fashion but needs that little bit extra to make it give a comfortable and smooth shave. It's a small but important difference.

Yes there certainly is no lack of cultural differences on a multi national forum. In the end it is whatever is acceptable and works for an individual as there are many different ways to the same end.

Bob

Originally Posted by RobinK

Interesting point, Bob. However, Dovo do operate a factory. As, I am sure, do the Chinese makers. Aust, Revisor and Wacker operate Kotten. The term "artisan" is at best misleading, and does not apply to Solingen manufacture anyway. We are talking about skilled craftsmen (cf dual education system) and decades of knowledge. Artisan makers are, by definition, self taught, which means they have to reinvent each and every wheel. This approach may appeal to some. I personally prefer things that work, and have a sensible price/performance ratio.

That is indeed correct. But they cater to different customers, and have different processes.
If you want an affordable no-fuss shaver that will last you a lifetime, you are better off with a Ralf Aust razor than with a custom razor. He has optimized his manufacturing setup for specific types of razor, and is very good at that. I could not make those razors he makes.

Otoh, all of the razors I make have no alternative in the brand name razor market. If you want a smiling razor, etched black, 8/8 in size, and with stainless steel inserts in the tang, Ralf Aust cannot help you. Not because he doesn't have the skill if he really wanted to, but he doesn't have the equipment and processes to do so, or the means to easily create one-off blanks. That is where an artisan with a hammer and a fire and a workshop full of general purpose equipment will be better. I am fairly certain that even if Herr Aust could be persuaded to make such a razor, it would be more expensive than if I do it for example. And chances that he would accept such a commission are small to nil.

We are in different markets, catering to different desires.
By the same token, if you want an affordable and dependable car, you buy one.
If you want an amazing muscle car with unique design features, you go to someone like gas monkey garage and commission one.
They do not compete with each other because they have different customers.