Thread: What is your definition of a custom razor?

We went off topic on another thread with the definition of a "Custom" razor.

I would like to hear other's thoughts and I am choosing now not to start with mine and see how it goes.

Any point of view is welcome.

Custom, as opposed to artisanal, would be one that is made with a lot of design input from the buyer. I would not consider selections of permutations of a few options as meeting the level of a custom razor.

In essence, the spirit of "custom," for me at least, means unique.

Agree with Utopian to a point . . . My car is unique, as it is outfitted in a fashion I chose. Others will have selected different options. Does that make my car "custom"? Hardly, despite it's unique nature.

Uniqueness is only part of it. I think the more important part is the input from the purchaser. Like Homer Simpson's car, I may know what I want in a razor, but I do not have the skills to make it a reality.

And that is why I said " with a lot of design input from the buyer." I think we agree more than you thought.

Originally Posted by Orville

Agree with Utopian to a point . . . My car is unique, as it is outfitted in a fashion I chose. Others will have selected different options. Does that make my car "custom"? Hardly, despite it's unique nature.

Uniqueness is only part of it. I think the more important part is the input from the purchaser. Like Homer Simpson's car, I may know what I want in a razor, but I do not have the skills to make it a reality.

I agree. Dovo has many models/options. If I choose to get scale A on blade B is that a custom?

Originally Posted by Utopian

Custom, as opposed to artisanal, would be one that is made with a lot of design input from the buyer. I would not consider selections of permutations of a few options as meeting the level of a custom razor.

In essence, the spirit of "custom," for me at least, means unique.

Good point.

For me I am wondering about the difference between the difference between artisanal and custom.

If I think that it is butt ugly and useless but is that what the customer wants does that make it custom?

If I make something that I think is cool and hope someone else also thinks so and buys it is that artisan?

Originally Posted by 32t

Good point.

For me I am wondering about the difference between the difference between artisanal and custom.

If I think that it is butt ugly and useless but is that what the customer wants does that make it custom?

If I make something that I think is cool and hope someone else also thinks so and buys it is that artisan?

I really don't think what you think about an appearance of a custom razor applies to the definition.
Plus, what you select really isn't someone else's opinion either.

Originally Posted by Scareface

I really don't think what you think about an appearance of a custom razor applies to the definition.
Plus, what you select really isn't someone else's opinion either.

I was thinking from the point of view of the maker.

Originally Posted by 32t

I was thinking from the point of view of the maker.

OOOOps maybe that could be misconstrued. If the customer is happy all is well.

Originally Posted by 32t

I was thinking from the point of view of the maker.

Let's take our very own Bruno, I would say that his small run razors would fall into artisinal, even if I were to request a scale option that he didn't usually offer, or even if I purchased an unfinished blade and finished it myself or sent it off to someone to finish.
If i purchased an unfinished blade, changed it significantly and got it finished that might be customized but not really custom.
However if I were to design or even just rough out a razor and have it made by him as a one off then that would be a custom.
I see a lot of posts about custom razors that are really just made up from off the shelf parts, such as Hart razors etc. I don't believe these really are custom, but in the razor world "restoration" can encompass completely changing the look of a razor with sparkly acrylic and mirror finishes etc, so maybe definitions can be less rigid than we are otherwise used to.