Thread: Most Expensive?

Originally Posted by RezDog

Money spent learning new stuff and getting better at things you already thought you knew is always money well spent. I have traveled far and at considerable expense to be able to learn and get better. Most don’t have to travel as far and most can drive to meets and that is where the shaves really come together for new guys.

Yup. That is also where you learn what else you need to BUY!

Originally Posted by sharptonn

This is all true, however there ARE variables to consider...
You might have a bad, faulty, or worn-out razor.
Buying a new one will get you a better shave!

You might need to get your razor professionally honed.
Paying for that will get you a better shave.

You may need to travel to a meet to firsthand learn some things..
Travel expenses spent should result in a better shave.

A better soap, strop, and brush could lead to some expense.
Yet that could get the shaves better, indeed.

I could go on, I suppose...

One other big variable is whether you are talking a newbie or experienced shaver.

If you are a newbie you should not buy used razors as you really don't know what to look for as far as the bad stuff that can happen to razors. Buying a used razor from a reputable source may be a different matter.

For a newbie buying new is no guarantee of a better shave as factory edges are hit and miss. Buying new from a reputable source the hones the razor before shipping will at least get you a shave ready edge. Keep in mind that a newbie may roll the shave ready edge on a new or used razor through poor stropping shortly after receiving it.

For a newbie getting a better soap, strop and brush may not lead to a better shave until they learn the proper techniques to lathering and stropping.

All bets are off on the above if you are an experienced shaver. Not down on newbies but in the beginning getting you techniques for lathering, stropping and shaving down pat are more important that spending on gear.


Bob

The highest price for a 'normal' (non-custom) razor that doesn't have historic value or valuable scales would be the Iwasaki Tamehagane Westerns, NOS can easily fetch $3,000 or a little more. Kamijo is up there too, and a Zowada meteorite razor can bring a couple of grand or a litle more I believe, but it is a custom razor.

You could argue that the Iwasaki has some historic value which is true, but they also made a LOT of them. Kind of like Filly 14s, they're not hard to find but they are hard to find cheap.

Cheers, Steve

Originally Posted by Steve56

Kind of like Filly 14s, they're not hard to find but they are hard to find cheap.

Cheers, Steve

Hype + steady supply. They are nice razors and all, but the market price is too much for me, exactly because they aren't even that uncommon.

My most expensive razor was around €150 - a great gift from some good friends - but I would hesitate to pay anything over €100 for a used razor. New a bit more, but nothing extravagant.

It's what you want to spend your money on; some people have to have a top-of-the-line Marantz, but I'm perfectly happy with my Onkyo, for example.

Best regards,
Pieter

Originally Posted by Pithor

Hype + steady supply. They are nice razors and all, but the market price is too much for me, exactly because they aren't even that uncommon.

As always, Pieter makes an excellent point that applies to many of the more expensive razors.

I do admit that for a while I fell for the hype surrounding a southern European razor maker.
One razor that I bought new was never fit for the job, the remaining few are at best average razors and are rarely used. They were/are the most expensive in my collection.

Two weeks ago, I shaved throughout the week with the remaining few for the first time after about a year and found them as disappointing as before. So back in the cabinett they go and “Ciao, see you next year”.
I must have been under the “emperor’s new clothes effect” then, but took that expensive lesson to heart.

By comparison, the first 5/8 Aust that I bought new for around $100 and that had to bear the brunt of my then novice shaving, stropping, and honing mistakes is still an exquisite shaver.
Incidentally, I just used it this morning and marvelled how such a humble razor can give such an outstanding shave.
I have also three Mühle M3 branded 5/8 razors that were made in Solingen and that sold for about $65 new.
If someone interested in straight shaving needs a razor for a while I usually lend him one of those. And despite the abuse of inexperienced hands all three are still going strong.

I do admit, I do get a kick when something humble and inexpensive turns out to be excellent; punching way above it’s weight, even though holding a much more expensive “piece of art” razor can be a joy too - but a joy that foremost has to give me good shaves.

Hence, if someone looks at a razor primarily as a shaving tool and only secondary as an aesthetic object, like I do, he will be reluctant to part with large sums of money for a tool that is not even that good.




B.

Not my purchase, but i have just honed a brand new Dovo Mammut (mammoth scaled) razor, ready for shave testing in the morning these go for $1500-1900AUD here in Aus and upfront I think it is too heavy in the scales, the washers are bolt types and the thrust washers are at least 1mm thick each, the balance point when flat is over the tail, but it is the 1st new Dovo I have honed to date that actually sits flat on the homes
Also did a new Dovo Black this arvo that is distorted and sits as usual about 0.5mm off at one end
So maybe the blades are better finished also
But still well outside my pay grade