Of "Exotism"

I've been pondering lately, partly because I've been regularly reading here besides my usual dwellings, about a certain kind of appeal.

To wit : do you sometimes feel that your appeal to some razors is fueled by some kind of "exotism" ?

Like finding that a Japanese or German razor are attractive partly because they differ to what you see most usually ?
Or that you must have that specific razor, not because it has all the hallmarks of aesthetics, but because it's too unusual ? (for example, a SK1)

Or do you (and by you I don't mean a collective you, more like "what is your personnal feeling/opinion") feel more attracted to the same kind of aesthetics, sticking to a family, broad as it is, of blades ? (like for example some people only collect 14-type blades)

That is too much thinking for me.

For me I am sure that a not often encountered maker has some allure but not the whole issue in attraction to a certain razor. It could also be a certain feature/features of a particular razor that attracts also. All that has to be in a package that I find aesthetically pleasing.

Bob

I like big blades and I can not lie
You other brothers can't deny
That when a straight comes by in with an itty bitty grind
And a sharp thing for your face
You get sprung, want to pull up tough
'Cause you notice that blade was sharp
Deep in the scales she's wearing
I'm hooked and I can't stop staring

Jnats have that one-of-a-kind appeal to me.

I’m a jnat guy. I have a lot of razors.

There’s no philosophy, you just have to try each and every one (stone and/or razor) then high grade them to your liking. There are no formulas.

I love all blades. In my rotation I have enjoyed razors that others would have tossed as "done" years ago.

and some have special reasons for being. That SK1? perfect for getting into the odd places, like sunken cheeks, or your underarms (peanut gallery, No Comments!)
I "collect" varieties. I also have a thing for names. sometimes the silly ones (kutzwell, noc-out, I-xl NON xl, etc) and of course, my "royalty" selection...
https://sharprazorpalace.com/razor-c...ll-heroes.html

Surely all collections are somewhat exotic ?
For me it's just about a well made blade with good steel.

I locate my most appealing traits in a really fuzzy intersection of design and history.

Those fancy foliate spines on early 1900's razors? Don't really care.

Coarsely filed notches on an old Sheffield's spine? Gimme!

But at the same time, I've got three different oddball Ern-designed razors from the 1910's (The Ern Jr and the Zepp Safe Razor).

I definitely seek out oddities, but I've also got ... I think 18 different examples of the 1840's tapered razor.

Classifying my interest might just be a lost cause. I can't do it with music -- those music recommendation algorithms have a success rate of like 1 in 30 for me.

Anyone that is here and participates on a regular basis is exotic.....

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Originally Posted by 32t

Anyone that is here and participates on a regular basis is exotic.....

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Agreed. We all look "exotic" to outsiders.

Of course.

Exotism is why there is a market for razors made from 500 year old tamahagane, Alfred Pendray wootz or meteorite. It's not like the 4 figure price tag makes it shave 10 times better or makes the edge last 10 times longer.
But every one of those things is unique, one of a kind, and pretty much irreplaceable. They are more like artpieces that you can shave with (and shave very well).

For some reason, 'the market' has decided that Vermeer and Michelangelo paintings are worth hundreds of millions, and reproductions that cannot be distinguished from them, only a couple thousands.

Exotism is what drives any market in the higher segments.

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Originally Posted by Bruno

Of course.

Exotism is why there is a market for razors made from 500 year old tamahagane, Alfred Pendray wootz or meteorite. It's not like the 4 figure price tag makes it shave 10 times better or makes the edge last 10 times longer.
But every one of those things is unique, one of a kind, and pretty much irreplaceable. They are more like artpieces that you can shave with (and shave very well).

For some reason, 'the market' has decided that Vermeer and Michelangelo paintings are worth hundreds of millions, and reproductions that cannot be distinguished from them, only a couple thousands.

Exotism is what drives any market in the higher segments.

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Yes, definitely this. That rainbow swirly Washita I just posted about-it landed in my cart precisely because of its "exotic" look. As to how it will hone, I just have to find out. Maybe I should have saved my money and held out for a Lily White or similar, proven (albeit plainer) graded example?:shrug: We humans are not always rational creatures (and maybe not even most of the time).

I've got some exotic (to me) razors. I find that just about any heavy-grind big smilin' Sheffield appeals to me as exotic. But yes, as the OP and another poster said, I'd love (and hope to have someday!) one of those extreme smiling Saitos!

I do have one Lancet point Mappin and Webb that is pretty exotic for a vintage razor. That was 'my' special one :)

When you come down to it "exotic" is what you make it.

Bob

Darn Glasses, I thought you all be talking about Erotic Razors. Like maybe you want a razor Johnny Holmes or Ron Jeremy used. Of course they can be Exotic too.

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Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Darn Glasses, I thought you all be talking about Erotic Razors. Like maybe you want a razor Johnny Holmes or Ron Jeremy used. Of course they can be Exotic too.

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If found, I would want them thoroughly sterilized.