Thread: $35 vs $199. Give me a reason!

Originally Posted by grant9908

So..... In the classifieds here, there are $35 straights and $199 straights. If they both shave just as well, then why would I ever spend the extra money. Convince me.

You can't assume all razors will shave equally even if they are both capable of shaving.
I agree you don't need to spend big money but how much wear & rust is on the $199 razors ?

Originally Posted by DLB

So my answer is for "enjoyment" and because it pleases me. I don't expect anyone else to follow my route. If owning one $35 razor meets all your needs and brings you enjoyment, that is what you should do and I will admire you for following your own heart. If another person enjoys owning 200 straight razors because it pleases them, I will admire them for following their heart as well.

Beautifully stated.

Originally Posted by grant9908

So..... In the classifieds here, there are $35 straights and $199 straights. If they both shave just as well, then why would I ever spend the extra money. Convince me.

If you earn your own money, then it's entirely your decision, do whatever pleases you.

If you need justification to spend more on a razor, then doing that isn't for you.

People buy what they want for reasons important to them. Maybe they want a much admired name, or a pristine specimen, or a custom made piece made to their specifications, or scales made of some precious material or a razor made by a famous maker. If you reduce it to how well does it shave then it's no different than buying the most minimal car or washing machine or clothes at Walmart or minimal and basic anything. It's all the same.

Originally Posted by grant9908

why would I ever spend the extra money

to purchase the extra razor

these are such easy questions

I can smoke cheap burley in a corn cob or GL Pease Robusto in a Dunhill or a Castello. They function is the same but they are different animals. I can drive to work in a junker or a mercedes and they will both get me there. Play a $100 guitar and then pick up a Martin. The comparisons could go on and on.

Originally Posted by JimR

Convince me why it's necessary to convince you.

I have to +1 with my friend Jim...

If you need convincing then the RAD bug ain't bit ya yet

BTW they all don't shave the same, but the price you pay has no bearing on the shave. What that means is that it is the razor and the honing that determine the quality of the shave, not the price of the razor...
Look at DLB's post where he compares a $25 Imp to a $279 Hart, see IMHO that Imp is the better quality razor and will take and hold a better edge.. I would be more willing to pay serious money for a NOS Imp then a New Hart but that is JMHO..
In this hobby and many others, price and quality are not always walking hand in hand

Originally Posted by grant9908

So..... In the classifieds here, there are $35 straights and $199 straights. If they both shave just as well, then why would I ever spend the extra money. Convince me.

Nope, convince yourself. As noted above, if you need convincing it's not for you. If you don't know the difference, it's not for you. Also, as noted above, cost does not relate to shave quality.

Kick back, pick up a few razors that fit your budget or that you feel comfortable buying for the cost and read through as many threads and posts here on SRP that you have time for and find interest in. Over time you will not need to ask such questions. There is no fast road to knowledge and experience.

maybe others won't say it, but there is a difference - not just aesthetically. at the very least between different widths and grinds.. I've found that this forum to be exceedingly polite - they won't tell you that your $35 dollar razor is inferior to their pricier razors, but they can be. Of course 'can' is the operative word here

Originally Posted by esse

maybe others won't say it, but there is a difference - not just aesthetically. at the very least between different widths and grinds.. I've found that this forum to be exceedingly polite - they won't tell you that your $35 dollar razor is inferior to their pricier razors, but they can be. Of course 'can' is the operative word here

Vintage $35 razors have different widths and grinds too, and a $35 razor in the SRP classifieds from a good member (most people here in my experience) listed as shave ready will give you the same shave as the $199 razor. Why the difference in price? maybe the condition isn't as good as "new", maybe it's not tip top shiney but can shave for it's country, maybe it's just not an en vogue razor at the moment.

The last reason i stated is something whose equivalent is called mojo in the guitar pedal fraternity. pedals made with NOS components or originals with a specific type of transistor fetch ridiculous prices, thus it is the same with razors. I read on the revisor thread that brands like puma back in the day were all basically made by Dovo, yet Pumas and the other "mojo" brands fetch higher prices than a no name solingen razor made in the same factory. Are the razors really that different? I'd love a filly, am just not going to spend 200 quid + to get one.

Same thing with W&B, a little while ago, a W&B wedge was the thing to have, now they're edging towards passe (not by much, just a little) in favour of wosty's etc. I have a W&B wedge, do i like it? sure! does it shave less well now it's not as cool as a wosty? No. do i want a wosty? if one turns up, yes? but that's RAD for you