Thread: Custom razors

Originally Posted by Dlb1963

My only experience is with a 6/8, my only issue is a few nicks on my bald head.

I am a pretty experienced with a straight, I could never get the hang of shaving my head with a straight razor. I will use a safety razor on my head and I still get some nicks.

The only thing that matters in the shave us the very edge, the rest of the razor us to hold on to and look at. My vintage shaves as well as my customs. But like has been said, I could also drive around with in a 1980 Mitsubishi tiny truck or my new ford big truck, it's all about style both get the job done.

I always steer new guys to a cheap, quality vintage with a pro honed edge on it. That way if you don't stick with it your not out the grand. But if you stick and the money doesn't bother you, then it's a wonderful thing to have. I speak from more customs than vintage, but they all shave the same. Tc

When I show my razors to people who are unfamiliar with straight razors I am quick to point out that they could spend $40 on a vintage and shave happily for the rest of their lives.

I have customs from some of the best artisans, vintage and current production razor makers. First, a great shave can be had from all depending on the steel, edge quality and your technique. That said, if you can afford a Rolls instead of a Ford then there is a lot of personal art and craftsmanship in customs you won't get in standard razors. I really enjoy a good vintage razor. I find the shave, razor edge and feel to be exceptional for what you pay but I really like my Mastro Livi's for blade quality and looks.

Now you just KNOW when you do one side of your face with a vintage Dovo and the other with a custom Williams the Williams side is just smoother and closer right?

The same as when you detail yer car it always seems to run better.

Of course it is all relative, different strokes for different folks, etc. Speaking of strokes, a lot of custom/costume razors I have seen nearly gave me...are really not my thing. A few exceptions (eg. Tim Zowada), but even those demand prices that are not worth it to me.

Like some of you mentioned, custom/costume/artisan razors are about looks and style. However, instead of a car analogy, this illustrates my view on the matter better:

Even if I made filthy amounts of money, I would never, ever buy a guilded toilet bowl with an ivory flusher and diamond encrusted toilet brush.

But again, whatever floats your, errm...boat.

Best regards,

Pieter

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Now you just KNOW when you do one side of your face with a vintage Dovo and the other with a custom Williams the Williams side is just smoother and closer right?

The same as when you detail yer car it always seems to run better.

I have a friend who has a lot more money than I and frequently buys high end cars. He says he knows he has to trade in his most recent vehicle when he no longer wants to wash and detail it on the weekend.

On the other hand, my cousin has an older Miata that he only drives on weekends in the summer. He’s had that car since it first came out in Canada and probably has fewer than 15000 miles on it. He babies that thing and takes it on Miata convoys whenever he can.

Two different attitudes that sound very much like what we are talking about with respect to razors.

For me in general, the more costly an item, the higher the expectation of perfection is and the more easily I am disappointed with it. Conversely, the expectation of perfection is lower with less costly items and the less disappointed I am with them. I prefer the latter.

With particular regard to razors, I have gotten as good a shave with a plain Jane restored old vintage razor as I have with the more expensive new current production ones I have bought. It would take a very aesthetically appealing custom razor for me to overcome my inherent cheapness because of these past experiences. That is just me though and everyone is free to spend their cash on whatever turns their crank.

Bob

Originally Posted by BobH

With particular regard to razors, I have gotten as good a shave with a plain Jane restored old vintage razor as I have with the more expensive new current production ones I have bought.

Bob

And I’m sure you got a lot of pride and satisfaction from that shave because you brought that old blade back to life yourself.

I now have about 25 razors, all but two of which I got for cheap and cleaned up or restored because I enjoy doing that and get satisfaction shaving with them. I have one TI that I bought new from a reputable honemeister/proprietor who takes pride in getting his razors shave ready and that provided a benchmark for my own honing. The only “collectible” I have is a 7/8 WB wedge with a barber’s notch that was just too good a deal to pass up.

When I was a lot younger, I used to collect books and pipes until I moved a couple of times and realized a lot of that stuff never came out of the boxes. If I want a smoke now, I get a good cigar. When I want to read, I download an eBook or pick one of my dozen or so favourites off the shelf.

As I get older, I find I’m simplifying and reducing the amount of “stuff” I keep and enjoying more the things I do rather than the things I have.

Apologies for the philosophical diversion

I am lucky, I haven't had the money, even when working, to buy a custom razor. I get along by enjoying the razors that I find for cheap or trade services and equipment for.. NOW, don't get me wrong, were iI to comfortably obtain a custom razor, I would.

It would seem that here are a few different types of folks in every hobby/ business.

The acquisition bug, any all that come his way
The hoarder whose finds never see the daylight and are lost forever when he passes on.
The experimenter that uses any razor to find what is best for him, and never finds it.
The visual guy that has displays of razors and suchlike and enjoys the viewing.
The tactile fellow that enjoy using and honing his stash because they feel good.

Being a combination of the above, as most folks are is what makes this hobby a winner.
YMMV
~Richard