Thread: imperial vs. metric

why are razors width's measured in fractional imperial sytem vs metric?

found a chart for the math challenged (like me)

Conversion Table: fractional inches, decimal inches, mm

cause here in America thats the system,, our brothers to the north use the metric , but they know the difference us here dont like to convert

Imperial is just being silly in all honesty

Originally Posted by tcrideshd

cause here in America that's the system, our brothers to the north use the metric , but they know the difference us here don't like to convert

This alone doesn't explain it: you guys are the only ones still using it, and why would it make a German manufacturer selling in Europe use fractional inches?
I think traditionalism and conservatism are to blame here. Metric system was introduced by the French during their revolution. Razors in their present form were manufactured at least 50 years before that, so the tradition has been formed already. Besides, Brits were pretty much predominant in the world razor market during 100-150 years after that, and they were still using Imperial system at the time. Nowadays there is absolutely no reason for that except for the aforementioned tradition.

No idea why that is. I do know that my generation was in school when Canada officially converted to the metric system and are likely the last generation of Canadians to be comfortable with both systems. Newer generation Canadians like my Nephew get that deer caught in the headlights look when you talk about MPG, our gallon that is, instead of liters per 100 kilometers for fuel economy ratings. All things considered Metric is easier to use and likely more accurate when building things.

Bob

So how is it silly? Or why doesn’t it make sense. We are a different country so it’s not silly or make any sense. Why not say it’s silly to not speak Japanese or live in a foreign land in the Middle East? Himmm we are not asking anyone else to convert. It’s your business Like ours is our way so far we haven’t needed to follow the others we’re doing just fine I n our own.

Ive always figured that if i was in Germany and wanted to buy a razor from a german company i would need to use metric. I could he wrong here. Keep in mind too that a german company selling the the USA would change measurements to fractions to keep us happy.

Metric is easier. It would be a tough change at first but i wish they would change. 10 is easier than 12.

If I would have to guess I would say - because it's easier. 5/8, 6/8 etc seem much easier for sizing them than fiddling with mm. I say that as a person who grew up with the metric system.

For razors, it was tradition and stayed that way it really is just that simple...

Originally Posted by Gasman

Ive always figured that if i was in Germany and wanted to buy a razor from a german company i would need to use metric. I could he wrong here. Keep in mind too that a german company selling the the USA would change measurements to fractions to keep us happy.

No, actually even if you visit Aust, Revisor, Wacker, TI websites in their native German/French, you'd still find the width in fractional inches. The length when mentioned (rarely) would be metric. Tradition...