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

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

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 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.

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.

I'll take it!!! What is your PayPal addy?

I dont need a reason, I just need a PC with Internet access and my credit card...

My priciest razor (so far) was about $300, but I'm determined to start picking up a few customs now so I guess that average might jump a bit!

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.

I cannot do that....
I want some of the $35 bargains for myself.

More seriously the prices seem to be in line
with the market. The lower priced razors
will shave ya but are not often going to have
great scales or shining blades.

I do know that some folk hunt the likes of eBay and
bid on the larger lots of razors. They pick out
the top 1/3 and make them shine with exotic scales
and quality craftmanship.

Some of the bottom 1/3 are not famous and happen
to have serviceable scales and decent steel. These
seem to show up from time to time as a courtesy to
beginners at great prices. Some get to visit the rough
buffers. Then a quick bevel set and quick honing...

So too good to toss in the junk pile and not good enough to spend
a couple hours over a couple of days restoring.

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.

that's exactly what I was thinking when I started. now I've been into wet shaving for about 9 months. I got 12 straight, 3 De, 3 badger,1 boar, 1 synthetic brush,3 strops, 8 hones, 2 scutles, mugs, bunch of soaps,creams,oils and it doesnt seem to stop. I guess you'll never know what's gonna happen to u

Originally Posted by sigit666

that's exactly what I was thinking when I started. now I've been into wet shaving for about 9 months. I got 12 straight, 3 De, 3 badger,1 boar, 1 synthetic brush,3 strops, 8 hones, 2 scutles, mugs, bunch of soaps,creams,oils and it doesnt seem to stop. I guess you'll never know what's gonna happen to u

That sounds....... excessive.

Originally Posted by grant9908

That sounds....... excessive.

No it sounds perfectly sane and reasonable thank you very much.