Thread: TI can't make razors fast enough.

I mailed a new TI 5/8 Super Gnome directly back to TI in France earlier this year. The blade was warped. Not as bad as some of the razors I have, but quite significant. I didn't spring for delivery confirmation or insurance and figured I'd just send it off across the pond in a corked bottle and see if it ever turned up over there. That was months ago. I received a reply yesterday from TI saying they DID have my razor and will be sending me a new replacement in a few months. They're sending me back a razor with the "new C135 Carbonsong steel".

The reason for my post:.....in the same email I was told TI is backed up with orders for razors until the end of JUNE 2009!!!

Boker is making a few new razors. How long before we see one of the old companies get back into the game? Probably highly unlikely, but it would be cool to see an American company have a rebirth.

Chris L

Hmm, there have been mutterings about how the demand for st8s could well be rising- if prices are a guide, anyway. Here we certainly have proof that demand (at least for one company) is outstripping supply!

I'd love to see one of the old Sheffield factories start up again, But I suspect the skills, knowledge and craftsmanship are already a thing of the past.

Originally Posted by English

I'd love to see one of the old Sheffield factories start up again, But I suspect the skills, knowledge and craftsmanship are already a thing of the past.

I'd like to see that, too. There are still a few companies around that also existed "back then" but I fear the knowledge and the workers that are able to make razors have long gone. Even in Solingen there's only a handful of old men left...

Originally Posted by moviemaniac

I'd like to see that, too. There are still a few companies around that also existed "back then" but I fear the knowledge and the workers that are able to make razors have long gone. Even in Solingen there's only a handful of old men left...

I've read this too. Hmmm, what's the entry level pay like?

Jordan

I am definitely a fan of some "New Old Companies" coming back online. There is certainly a market for it, with the lack of supply in the market.

Had any of those companies been reading SRP it would have already happened ...
hello there Puma are you listening

when im at blade i ll see if i can talk spyderco into making a US made straight

what kind of price point would we be shooting for
butch

I recently ordered a custom/handmade and was given a 5 months leadtime. I'm OK with that, it will be well worth the wait, but it confirms the general demand.

I wouldn't mind seeing one of the old Swedish factories/brands getting back on the market...

I think demand is greater than supply across the whole range of shaving supplies right now. I know there is no way I can keep up with demand and have tried several ways to over come this without sucess.
It's not just as easy as adding labor either. Other people seldom have the emotional connection to a product that the owner/originator has. I have used part time help on assembly and some detail work but in most cases it's not the same. On assembly I need to re-do about 25% myself as my helper won't take quite the care I would....selecting the wrong screws, turning a piece of trim the wrong way, etc...

I could not imagine trying to let someone select and cut the strop bodies from the hides or do my breaking in process. I can barely meet my own standards on that! Imagine trying to teach another to grind a razor blank a specific way, then expect that after doing 50-100 a week they will take thesame care on each one. Where do you even find someone who wants to do that and waht could you pay them??

I will say though that my two Amish woodworkers have exceeded my expectations at every turn with the pride they take in what they make. Even they are swamped with work which adds up to delays for the work they do on contract for me. My real gem has been a 14 year old Amish girl, Sarah who has been slicking the edges and running the beads on my Artisans lately. I am hard pressed to tell which she did and which were mine. She is apprenticed to a harness maker friend as he too cannot keep up with demand for his products.

Less and less people want jobs working with their hands and that will continue to affect supply and demand in many fields, not just shaving. It seems imports become our only options now days as our children here want the easy life behind a desk.

Tony

Originally Posted by L R Harner

when im at blade i ll see if i can talk spyderco into making a US made straight

what kind of price point would we be shooting for
butch

That's a good question, Butch. The Boker razors being made now are on the high end for price (approx $500-$600 if I recall). Given such a high price for a non-custom razor I thought I recalled seeing a very negative no holds barred review from Joel at B&B. A production razor had better be the bees knees in all respects for that kind of price.

I'd like to see very well crafted no frills awesome shavers at $100 price point to give another alternative to Dovo and TI.

Chris L