Thread: Wade & Butcher Comeback

I'd give some thought to initially producing a standard no frills yet impeccably done basic classic W&B razor at a price point more could afford. That would put a razor in more hands and if the quality was indeed remarkable that would build interest and demand. The Irontusk razor could be offered at the same time as a produced on request custom item for those with deep enough pockets. Just a thought.

Bob

Thank you for the update Michael.

I appreciate that to bring out a modern W&B was always going to be a huge challenge. I can understand the idea to start with an exclusive limited edition made to the highest standards. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes you want to make a statement. The W&B, reborn in all its glory and heritage, and for that I salute you.
Yes, the price will put most out of the frame but top spec Mastros and Edsons can come close for the asking price.
Shortly after the first edition comes out a cheaper, but no less inferior model would be a nice touch.

Making 1800$ on a first production is making a killing for a minimum wage in South Africa of 250-300$/ month and a medium wage slightly over @ 1200$/month (Quoting from Forbes magazine)....that's asking 150% medium wage for a straight razor that hasn't made it into production yet!

No matter what custom made titanium pivots you put on it....or wedge...

(for reference an american company that makes exceptional titanium an zirconium upgrades for knives
https://ticonnector.com/product/14-titanium-pivot-set/
This guys are manufacturers so i'm sure they can pop up custom designed screw heads because they have the know how and tools.

Another well stocked american knifemaker supply shop that stocks excentric metals

Zirconium - Metals - Knife Blades)

WB was famous for the >>>>> razors not the boxes...the Legend was housed in a plain old ordinary cardboard embosed coffin boxor.... ....papers and box didnt make it famous...nor quality of materials....and i'm sure if given the oportunity some if not most people would buy just the razor no matter how special the box is...people here shave...with razors...not with boxes...nor embosed papers....

The design made the razor ... the quality of the grind, etch, manufacture, fit and finish were not perfect...some had bad grinds or warped spines but that did not stop a sexy blade like that from making a reputation.


I totaly get tht what you set out to do is extremly special and perfect in every way from ... your point of wiew as a manufacturer .... but please bear in mynd that "your perfection" is not the same as"my perfection"...or "his perfection"...and i seriously dont mean to offend you in any way but it's been how much...a year...2 since it was anounced?

The amount of work put in in that time must be astounding to get the .... name figured out , the point and tail, the pivot pin and spacer logo and the box....only thing missing is the actual razor....almost 2 years...

In meanwhile i think i have seen at least 3 people start making straight razors from 0 and get to a point they are actualy good enough i consider buying one....took them less then 2 years.

And now we're talking price on an item that hasn't made it of the production line and price is roughly 3 times more then what the top custom razor makers out there charge...and roughly same as this guy that actualy makes one of a kind works of art that coincidently look like razors....and i heard they actualy do shave...

Straight Razors | SAGE BLADESâ„¢
...and even his work is absurdley priced sometimes.
....you know why they're always in stock?...yup! they sell much slower then he makes them witch is sad actualy....while reputated sellers have a half year long wait list filled and half payed in advanced...that's sexy!

I know i'm probably gonna get pounded for adressing the elephant in the room here guys and i'm sorry if i offended someone...but sometimes, best thing you can do is tell it like it is.

The market is brutal and no doubt there are a few folks who will run out and buy however the market for an $1800 razor is limited, very limited.

So being thebigspendur and able to afford a razor like this as chumpchange (har har) I analyze the purchase thusly; on the one hand I plunk down this much on a gorgeous razor with a wonderful presentation case from an unknown source with zero rep and a resurrected brand and on the other hand I plunk it down on a Zowada that 10 years later I could make a handsome profit on if I decide to sell. The unknown will probably fetch $500 on eboy in ten years if I'm lucky.

So what do I do? Hard choice isn't it?

Usually in the business world you start something new with a wonderful bargain for the early buyers and ramp up price as you develop a reputation not the other way around.

I wish em luck.

I have been reading and following this thread.
I hope the best for the new release, but at that price point, it would have to be something so spectacular it would leave us in awe!!!!

As a W&B fan, I'd love to own a new production razor. But at the cost you're estimating, I'd go with another custom hand made razor by the fine artisans out there.

$2,300 Cdn, before taxes, Christ on a bike can't imagine the import duties on top of that....essentially, it's a sure fire way to get the wife pissed at me beyond all belief...that's a 5 day all inclusive trip to a sunny spot in the dead of winter....much as it has that nostalgic appeal, it might as well have, "The Celebrated Marriage Killer" stamped on the blade face....

Originally Posted by Phrank

....much as it has that nostalgic appeal, it might as well have, "The Celebrated Marriage Killer" stamped on the blade face....

Cheers for the laugh Phrank.

If my missus caught me spending that amount of coin id have to change my name to mark'brokennose'kelly

Originally Posted by Phrank

$2,300 Cdn, before taxes, Christ on a bike can't imagine the import duties on top of that....essentially, it's a sure fire way to get the wife pissed at me beyond all belief...that's a 5 day all inclusive trip to a sunny spot in the dead of winter....much as it has that nostalgic appeal, it might as well have, "The Celebrated Marriage Killer" stamped on the blade face....

Well she wont get mad if you dont tell her.

Seriously though unless I win the lottery there is no way I could do more than look at pictures on the internet

The charm of the original was that it was a well built and stylish "working mans" razor. They built high end ornate ones but always had the plain ones for barbers and the average Joe at the time. I would seriously look at a $200 +/- razor line to keep in the spirit of the original along with the super high end models.

Originally Posted by Phrank

$2,300 Cdn, before taxes, Christ on a bike can't imagine the import duties on top of that....essentially, it's a sure fire way to get the wife pissed at me beyond all belief...that's a 5 day all inclusive trip to a sunny spot in the dead of winter....much as it has that nostalgic appeal, it might as well have, "The Celebrated Marriage Killer" stamped on the blade face....

Hahahaha. I can't resist. Well said Andrew. I hear every bit of this statement.

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