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.

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 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?

no, you won't

When I first started I wanted to try razors from the most popular brands to find out what works. I've learned that there are a great variety that shave great.