Thread: Difference in $100-$300-$500 Razor?

Originally Posted by matt321

I'm still trying hard to get my $100, $200, and $300 razors to shave better than my Gold Dollar. (Granted they look a hell of a lot better!)

which $200-300 razors are you talking about?

I always like to say a $40 Eboy special can shave just as good as a $1,000 custom. The difference is in everything else, the workmanship, the scales, the steel, any artistic work and if it's a custom the rep and experience of the maker.

Originally Posted by mainaman

which $200-300 razors are you talking about?

My most expensive are: a Dovo Special, NOS Carl Schleiper, LeGrelot Quarter Grind, Thiers C135, and a Thiers historical. These all shave great, but not clearly better than the Gold Dollar (at least not that I can tell).

Originally Posted by matt321

My most expensive are: a Dovo Special, NOS Carl Schleiper, LeGrelot Quarter Grind, Thiers C135, and a Thiers historical. These all shave great, but not clearly better than the Gold Dollar (at least not that I can tell).

I've owned or currently own a Dovo Special and a quarter hollow Le Grelot, same models as yours I suspect. I also own a Carl Schlieper 13/16ths full hollow.

I'm not sure which Thiers historical you have, there are more than one I believe. I have a Pierre Thiers Hand Forged that is a very fine shaver.

Of the ones I know for sure we both have, each is an excellent shaver. I like the Schlieper the best of the three, with the Le Grelot a close second. I've never used a Gold Dollar.

Of course all these razors are more difficult to find or more expensive than a Gold Dollar.

That said, one of the best shavers I ever had was an inexpensive Clauss 6/8ths.

So I agree. We can spend more and not benefit from a pure shave standpoint.

I'll throw this out there also. Do any particular manufacturer take an edge better than the others? Is it strictly the ability of the honer or does the quality of the steel make a difference?

Just the annoying questions of a newbie, thanks for the replies.

Originally Posted by Mvcrash

I'll throw this out there also. Do any particular manufacturer take an edge better than the others? Is it strictly the ability of the honer or does the quality of the steel make a difference?

Just the annoying questions of a newbie, thanks for the replies.

IMO both of those are critical. Fortunately while the skill level may be variable in general the steel quality is high in the vast majority I've come across.

Originally Posted by Mvcrash

I'll throw this out there also. Do any particular manufacturer take an edge better than the others? Is it strictly the ability of the honer or does the quality of the steel make a difference?

Just the annoying questions of a newbie, thanks for the replies.

I would +1 to Jimmy's answer and say the same, I have seen very very few BAD razors especially in the vintage arena...

I have seen tons of bad honing that needed serious correction...

The are certain attributes to certain brands and types that do stand out
in general of course...

There's a $12,000 difference between a Hyundai Genesis and a BMW 5 series. Last year, the Genesis blew away the 5 series in all the major road tests.

Originally Posted by Oglethorpe

There's a $12,000 difference between a Hyundai Genesis and a BMW 5 series. Last year, the Genesis blew away the 5 series in all the major road tests.

There's a big price difference between a fine, high end single malt whiskey and a bottle of Thunderbird.

Both will get you hammered out of your gourd.

I'm guessing it's a bottle of T-bird that's stashed in your desk, Oggie!

Nah... Talisker Distiller's Edition 1998.


Though I did drink some Thunderbird in college.