Thread: Tim Zowada Razors

I am fortunate enough to own 2 a 7/8 in purple heart and a 6/8 in rosewood burl, they are 2 very different razors as I believe the 7/8 was one of Tim's earlier models and the 6/8 later but then agaiin Tim being an artist and doing each one individually you will have differences.The 6/8 is more of a standard size 6/8 while the 7/8 is larger then most 7/8 razors in overall size. The razors are perfect in every respect from the metal the grind to the the fit and finish of the scales. To me they shave great and hold an edge great, that said a $100 Dovo properly sharpened will do the same thing. Are they worth it if you can afford it that is something you will have to answer but for me well I got 2 so far and you rarely if ever see any of them for sale on any of the shaving forums either and when you do they are gone instantly.

If you e-mail Tim I believe he does take custom orders but all sales go through classic shaving who occasionally gets some in stock as well, if you do e-mail him do give him time but he will get back to you generally within a week or so, in addition to work he has some pressing family issues and I don't think he is always on the pc as some of us are, but once contacted he is excellent to deal with.

I really like mine (I have 3 of them). To me Tim falls into the group of elite razormakers who have really mastered their craft. You can certainly argue how big this group is, but even being pretty liberal, I think we can agree that there aren't that many guys working at this level. Mastro Livi, Joe Chandler and a few others come to mind.

Are these razors worth what they cost? To me, unquestionably, but it is clearly a personal decision.

Is a Tim Zowada razor worth it ??? You better believe it is !!! Now go get your credit card and bring it to the phone !

I have two of them and they are expertly crafted and very good shavers. If you buy the ready made ones I think they are very understated.

As far as the value question goes one of the reasons they command the prices they do is because Tim is a world class maker and you pay for that and all that goes with it when you buy one. There are other makers who don't have that recognition and their stuff is priced lower though the quality (I think) is similar.

Originally Posted by glagina

Just a note. Tim also makes his own damascus and has a website worth checking out.

On his website he has pictures and explination of the double bevel. He also sharpens all the blades for classic shaving (according to their store clerk in Palm Springs). I don't have one of his razors, but I do have a Dovo that he sharpened, and that is a great shaver. My question is does he put a double bevel on the razors he sharpens for classic shaving?

Good question. I don't think so but I guess you would have to ask Classic or Tim. He is a member here and he may be following this thread ? You could always shoot him a PM or better yet examine your Dovo under a microscope or an eye loupe. If there is a double bevel it will be obvious.

Worth it depends on many things but Damascus is very labor intensive to make from what I have read. There is also a point to be made that the guy has a very long waiting list, so go figure. Me personally, I don't care for Damascus and think that they are probably over rated in one of the most important aspect to me and that is the quality of the edge. That is just me though. They are a beautiful thing to behold!


Take care,
Richard

i would like to make a comment on this, i dont own one of these or will i most likely ever while im married lol. but i look at it like this. your paying for a few tings. first off top rate scales. those are crazy looking by them selves. the steel is very hard to make and to get the patterns that he does is hard work. so what i am trying to say is that what you are truely paying for as a tool that is a work of art. something that you can use and then display it. to me that is the true meaning of master craftmans ship. years and years of exiperance, hours and hours poured into the blade, the scales and the true form and fit. as for shaving most likely you can find something cheaper that will shave as well, but will it have the character, the style, the respect that these command. the simple answer is NO it wont. so now lets ask is it worth it, the only thing i could say is that true beauty is in the eye of the beholder and only you can be the jugde.

is it worth it? for me it came down to this: it's not that i NEED it, it's that I WANT it!

Someone want to loan me an extra grand?...Please?