Thread: Don't the Pakistani people want good razors, too?

Originally Posted by Mike Blue

The Pakistani metal craft is incredibly powerful considering the tools and materials they have to work with. They are able to reproduce just about anything in metal of modern manufacture to a high degree of congruence with hand tools and very simple equipment.

Part of the problem with Pakistani blades is that the "as found" scrap metals readily available were not good enough quality for hardening. Part of the problem is that their overhead is very low which made them an attractive cheap option for folks who didn't want to pay good money for a Western maker's steels. And they could out produce just about anyone except a steel mill. Add together a lot of small shops working on a big job and you find them hard to beat.

Lately the smiths have been taking in feedback and improving base materials and quality of output. They have responded quite quickly and adaptably to market forces. They have also kept the prices low and remain competitive. There is still a lot to learn. I have no doubt they will. They have my respect, even as I grimace when someone buys their stuff over mine.

thank you for your response

Originally Posted by leadduck

Do you see a time when they might be abe to produce a quality razor? And if so, would they be able to overcome their terrible reputation?

There was some fuss last week in the UK press about our NHS (National Health Service) purchasing many of it's surgical instruments from Pakistan.
The quality of the product wasn't questioned. The argument centred on British trades unions objections to the use of child labour in the production.
I would think that if the Pakistanis can produce surgical instruments of good enough quality to satisfy members of The Royal College of Surgeons, then they already have the ability to produce good razors should they decide to do so.

Originally Posted by Mike Blue

The Pakistani metal craft is incredibly powerful considering the tools and materials they have to work with. They are able to reproduce just about anything in metal of modern manufacture to a high degree of congruence with hand tools and very simple equipment.

Part of the problem with Pakistani blades is that the "as found" scrap metals readily available were not good enough quality for hardening. Part of the problem is that their overhead is very low which made them an attractive cheap option for folks who didn't want to pay good money for a Western maker's steels. And they could out produce just about anyone except a steel mill. Add together a lot of small shops working on a big job and you find them hard to beat.

Lately the smiths have been taking in feedback and improving base materials and quality of output. They have responded quite quickly and adaptably to market forces. They have also kept the prices low and remain competitive. There is still a lot to learn. I have no doubt they will. They have my respect, even as I grimace when someone buys their stuff over mine.

Ah, Mike,

We could use a little more invidious cant here. This calm voice of reason stuff just doesn't sell the newspapers.

I've seen some simple medical tools, such as those squeeze and grabit jobbers that you guys use, and thought they looked pretty well made, which made me wonder why the same folks couldn't make a decent razor.

and it's noon now and just in time,

Originally Posted by welshwizard

...The argument centred on British trades unions objections to the use of child labour in the production.
I would think that if the Pakistanis can produce surgical instruments of good enough quality to satisfy members of The Royal College of Surgeons, then they already have the ability to produce good razors should they decide to do so.

Sounds like the trades unions engaging in some protectionism of their own. It's hard to argue with the child labour accusation. But you can't get kids interested in getting sweaty and dirty and making sparks here.

Plus manufactories in Pakistan (China, Mexico, pick some other place) don't have to live up to the same expensive occupational and health safety requirements that job shops in the more western countries do. The higher labor cost countries are hemorrhaging jobs. It's not always the cost of labour that increases the price, it's also regulations.

One can always argue that they are not competing fairly by using methods we cannot. But generally the buyer is the one who decides based on value not necessarily what is fair.

Sorry Bruce, but the Mentor badge keeps me focused, balanced, perhaps. Next time I lift some glassed medicament with friends I might have a more lubricated personal opinion.