Thread: Handmade razors under $200?

Koraat series razors are within your budget, if you're from outside the EU and exclude VAT. The basic model qualifies even if you're not. Ulrik is also a member here and there's a koraat razor club. I don't have one (yet), so I can't attest to the quality first hand, but I just ordered a semi custom from him...

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Originally Posted by AZBronco

I'm looking for a new razor under $200 that is manufactured by a small business. So far, I've found Portland Razor and Jacob Ray that both have some pretty nice looking handmade razors. Who are some others I should look at? I know there are some that make amazing looking razors for $500+, but that's well out of my price range. Thanks!

I would say it depends on what you mean by "handmade"
Some like myself offer a "production series" razor. It allows me to offer a razor at a lower starting point.
I grind it, HT it, scale it and hone it.... but there are other things ,like the basic shape and are set and can't be changed.
To me this is still a handmade razor.

Then there are custom razors, meaning within reason you get to pick all the options and the shape of the razor. That being said the price goes up on customs (as it should)

IMHO both are handmade items but both have very different price points (and options)... it depends on what you're looking for, as to "if" you can find a handmade razor for $200
Hope that makes since

Originally Posted by MileMarker60

I would say it depends on what you mean by "handmade"
Some like myself offer a "production series" razor. It allows me to offer a razor at a lower starting point.
I grind it, HT it, scale it and hone it.... but there are other things ,like the basic shape and are set and can't be changed.
To me this is still a handmade razor.

Then there are custom razors, meaning within reason you get to pick all the options and the shape of the razor. That being said the price goes up on customs (as it should)

IMHO both are handmade items but both have very different price points (and options)... it depends on what you're looking for, as to "if" you can find a handmade razor for $200
Hope that makes since

What you describe is really what I was thinking. Maybe I should have called it semi-custom or artisan production series. I spent time on your website and watched some of your YouTube videos last night. Great looking razors and I found several great reviews--I may be ordering one soon!


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I'm down to two--Brian Brown and Jacob Ray. I'd probably spend a little more with Brian Brown, but I could stay under $250, which I'm fine with. I've read a lot of good reviews on his razors, the grind quality, etc. Jacob Ray also makes some nice production line razors, but it's harder to find reviews. Has anyone here had experience with Jacob Ray?

Thanks!


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After some PMs and discussions with some people, along with probably too much reading of reviews, I ended up deciding between Brian Brown, Portland Razor, and Ralf Aust. I'm amazed at some of the razors in the ~$200 price range--there was more to choose from than I expected. Ultimately, it was pretty much a coin toss between Brian Brown and Portland Razor because I wanted to stay American this time around. The coin landed on Brian Brown, and I went to his website this morning only to find he's temporarily stopped taking orders due to his backlog. So, I flipped the coin again and ordered a PRC Hydra (6/8, spanish point, black scales) and will now anxiously wait 4-6 weeks because PRC also has a backlog. I ordered their strop at the same time since $60 seemed like a good price for a 3" strop and I've only used a 2".

Once the razor arrives, I'll post pictures. I know myself, so I'll be in the market for another razor soon enough and will hopefully be able to add the Brian Brown razor.

looking forward to seeing both the razor and strop when you are able to post, congrats on the purchases