Thread: PRC Hydra

Hey, thanks for sharing the pics and thoughts on your new Hydra. That box is pretty fancy. I recently came back to straight shaving after having given up on it for a while and PRC was new to me. After following the posts about it I couldn't resist the urge to order a Hydra myself. My order is 0301, so I am curious to see how it comes out when I receive it in December (haha). The photos on the site do indeed display a shiny mirror finish and that's one of the things that make these so beautiful, in my opinion. Unless it is just the light angle in the PRC website photos that hides these imperfections and gives the illusion of a perfect mirror finish, I would probably be disappointed as well. Another member posted the thought they wonder how these compare to older examples that were produced prior to the heavy back log, and I would be curious about that myself. It also makes me wonder about how mine will come out since it is a new order which doesn't put it in the back log category. Will they slow down as they catch up and start polishing more, or is it the case that all of the PRC razors have the same finish and the website photos are just overly shiny and glossy so you can't see the true finish accurately? As you stated, the shave is the most important thing I suppose, but I wouldn't help feeling cheated somewhat if other people receiving them after me started posting pics of beautiful shiny perfect mirror finished blades later on. Anyway, thanks again for sharing and looking forward to hearing your thoughts on how the first shave goes.

I don't think PRC's blades have ever been polished to a perfect mirror finish -- if you look closely at their Instagram photos you can see vertical lines from the grinder on many of the blades.

The photographs PRC puts out on the web are truly outstanding ... honestly, maybe a little too much so. They're amazing razor pr0n and a great marketing tool, but maybe they set some customers' expectations a little too high.

Originally Posted by Montanan

I don't think PRC's blades have ever been polished to a perfect mirror finish -- if you look closely at their Instagram photos you can see vertical lines from the grinder on many of the blades.

The photographs PRC puts out on the web are truly outstanding ... honestly, maybe a little too much so. They're amazing razor pr0n and a great marketing tool, but maybe they set some customers' expectations a little too high.

That is exactly correct. Accurate photography is more important for items that are being sold. Artistic photography that hides reality is annoying.

Originally Posted by Utopian

That is exactly correct. Accurate photography is more important for items that are being sold. Artistic photography that hides reality is eBay.

Fixed that for you . . .

Originally Posted by logan5tx

Hey, thanks for sharing the pics and thoughts on your new Hydra. That box is pretty fancy. I recently came back to straight shaving after having given up on it for a while and PRC was new to me. After following the posts about it I couldn't resist the urge to order a Hydra myself. My order is 0301, so I am curious to see how it comes out when I receive it in December (haha). The photos on the site do indeed display a shiny mirror finish and that's one of the things that make these so beautiful, in my opinion. Unless it is just the light angle in the PRC website photos that hides these imperfections and gives the illusion of a perfect mirror finish, I would probably be disappointed as well. Another member posted the thought they wonder how these compare to older examples that were produced prior to the heavy back log, and I would be curious about that myself. It also makes me wonder about how mine will come out since it is a new order which doesn't put it in the back log category. Will they slow down as they catch up and start polishing more, or is it the case that all of the PRC razors have the same finish and the website photos are just overly shiny and glossy so you can't see the true finish accurately? As you stated, the shave is the most important thing I suppose, but I wouldn't help feeling cheated somewhat if other people receiving them after me started posting pics of beautiful shiny perfect mirror finished blades later on. Anyway, thanks again for sharing and looking forward to hearing your thoughts on how the first shave goes.

Spot on, and why we as consumers of a Niche Market company should interact with them directly!
Especially if you like their product!
Talking it over with us boneheads won't help them produce a better product!

Originally Posted by Scareface

Spot on, and why we as consumers of a Niche Market company should interact with them directly!
Especially if you like their product!
Talking it over with us boneheads won't help them produce a better product!

They know where we are and, if interested, need only look around. This applies to ALL manufacturers, some of whom DO post here.

I agree with the ability to review and point out bad or things we dislike as well as the great things we sing accolades over. Why should we only post the positive and never the negative????? I think if you have a absolute mechanical flaw ie. defect that was shipped to you to take that up first with the proprieter first to see what satisfaction can be gained. But to dislike the fact that the blade was not polished like one thought it should be when we all know the photography gurus set the businesses best side to the public is very reasonable.

I don't think this will affect PRC but to gain honest feedback from the masses that will lend to improvements a must. Otherwise, people stop buying because of a simple thing that could have and would have been fixed by the owner if only they known but instead through word of mouth they go out of business! That to me is a dis-service to the owner of the business.

Call me crazy for this belief...............I have been called worse and I assure you, words have never killed me yet.

Originally Posted by Orville

They know where we are and, if interested, need only look around. This applies to ALL manufacturers, some of whom DO post here.

I am still surprised from my comment to them to update us weekly as to what they are up to has not been put into practice! Maybe they are not reading the comments and post here. Would be hard to say they aren't for sure! I would if I were the owner to get honest feedback. Unless I am afraid to see what they write of me. I wish them luck and hope they overcome what has been put before them. That said.........still holding out patiently for now.

Originally Posted by Orville

They know where we are and, if interested, need only look around. This applies to ALL manufacturers, some of whom DO post here.

So, they need to polish your razor more and catch up with production demands, BUT, also spend time on the computer looking up stuff like these threads?

When do they get to eat, sleep, or pee?

Small businesses do not have the man power, time , etc... to get it all done.
That's why people that like their product can help them verses crushing letters and expecting them to look at every shaving website that runs interactive website.

Originally Posted by Scareface

So, they need to polish your razor more and catch up with production demands, BUT, also spend time on the computer looking up stuff like these threads?

Reading comprehension is your friend. I said I was not worried about the cosmetics, and would take care of it myself if it became an issue.

When do they get to eat, sleep, or pee?

Whenever they like . . .

Small businesses do not have the man power, time , etc... to get it all done.
That's why people that like their product can help them verses crushing letters and expecting them to look at every shaving website that runs interactive website.

Other small businesses seem to manage to keep tabs on the communities they seek to serve . . . "crushing letters?" Hardly.