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

Some people drive Ferrari's, some people drive Ford Escorts, they all get you there. The style and price is up to you.

my comment was not so much about value or what is hot at the moment - I was simply stating that there are difference between razors. as marginal as this may be, there is a difference. This often translates to the cost such as larger width

The best thing about the Forum classified is that there is almost no junk (Pakistani or Chinese razors). 85% of my collection and everyday users I bought for $30 or less. I bought cheap razors of all sizes and makes/regions to find what works best for me and to practice honing. Until I knew for sure what I liked, I didn't spend big on anything.

Originally Posted by tekbow

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.

Not necessarily. If I list one of my Filarmonica or Dubl Duck razors for $199 in the classifieds, I am willing to bet good money that none of the $35 razors you'll see listed over say a 2 month period will shave as well as it.
But I also have another razor also in excellent condition that I doubt it can sell for more than $60 that will shave just as good as the Filarmonica or the Dubl Duck.
How a razor shaves should be a component of the price, but it's almost never the dominating factor.

Originally Posted by grant9908

Again...... If the shave is the same, then the rest is just superfluous, that's what you all are telling me, correct? Even Shooter said in a different thread just a bit ago that straights are not really being made of better materials than from the 1900s. So, if the shave is the same why bother buying anything more than the $35 ones?

The answer has already been given. There are various reasons why razors are more expensive than others.
Depending on what YOU want to shave with, you should set your budget.
If all you want is just shaving,then 35$ is all the razor you need.

Otoh, if you want a razor from a specific age or manufacturer, and you want that razor to be in a specific condition (mint, NOS, etc), or made from cerain materials, ...
Then you will have to shell out more.

It is not up to me to convince you to spend more. Figure out what you want, and pay for that.
No different from buying a car.

Originally Posted by gugi

Not necessarily. If I list one of my Filarmonica or Dubl Duck razors for $199 in the classifieds, I am willing to bet good money that none of the $35 razors you'll see listed over say a 2 month period will shave as well as it.
But I also have another razor also in excellent condition that I doubt it can sell for more than $60 that will shave just as good as the Filarmonica or the Dubl Duck.
How a razor shaves should be a component of the price, but it's almost never the dominating factor.

About the very best shave I ever got was from a 9$ wapienica.
And pretty much the best shaves ever were from razors I bought at a flea market.
Price in itself is irrelevant, because price is set by much more than just how well it shaves.

It's all about the edge when it comes to shaving. But when you are talking about values and what people will spend on a razor, there is so much more involved. There is the history of the razor and its manufacturer, the condition it is in, what the scales are made of and how pretty they are, and whether it looks interesting to your eye. When you come upon a razor that looks great to you, in that moment you will understand the difference between paying $25 to get it and paying $199.00. Then the RAD really starts!

Originally Posted by ace

When you come upon a razor that looks great to you, in that moment you will understand the difference between paying $25 to get it and paying $199.00. Then the RAD really starts!

Minor note: it is perfectly possible to NOT become afflicted with a hoarding disorder.
It's not something I consider desirable or praiseworthy. It's not a goal that should be encouraged.

It is possible to just figure out what you want, buy that, and then be content, occasionally buying something and selling something ( just for variation), while keeping the amount of razors or other gear limited.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

...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...

Given your knowledge and experience, I have to say your humble opinion is pretty darned important. Since I don't yet hone my own razors, I have to depend upon you and Lynn to re-establish the bevels on my razors after I have screwed them up.

Even if the Red Imp is the better quality razor, I still get a lot of satisfaction in supporting an American company like Hart Steel. I like the utilitarian look of the Hart razor (mine has simple black scales) and it shaves very nicely. Seeing it in my collection brings a smile to my face.


More and more, I have trouble rating my razors because my improving technique allows me to get at least a DFS with every razor. If the blades are all sharp and give a good shave, am I evaluating the razor or my technique? I can see that the honing process can give a completely different rating to the various razors. Based upon your honing experience and expertise, I would certainly defer to your qualitative rating of a razor in terms of which takes and holds a better edge or offers the higher quality.

While I generally love whatever razor is in my hand, I have found one razor to hold highest honors in my heart; a 6/8 Thiers-Issard Le Grelot with Red Stamina scales. I love the way the razor looks, I love the way the razor feels in my hand, I love the way the razor feels on my face, and I love the way the razor shaves. Love may be blind because, even if you told me the 6/8 TI LG was a piece of crap, I would still keep it in preference to all my other razors. Fortunately, love doesn't have to be rational. LOL

Thanks for all you do for the shaving community!

there is almost impossible to find 2 razors(doesn't matter price) which will shave same.
Not talking about same brand differences.
How you will find 2 different brands which will shave same i have no idea?