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. :)
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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. :)
It's entirely a question of what appeals to you and how much you are willing to pay to get it. I will say that I believe some razors shave better than others, but it could be simply how I feel when I hone, or when I shave, or if I did the extra 1 or 5 strokes on hone x or y or z, or how my face was when I shaved, or placebo effect, or or or.....
Go with what feels right, weighing the price however you feel is appropriate.
So you're admitting that the difference is slight to less than nothing and it all comes down to RAD and collecting. :)
Convince me why it's necessary to convince you. :)
Well the condition of the razor, and the quality for the craftsmanship and materials are somethings that factor into the price as well. Its popularity obviously relates to supply and demand.
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 $35 ones?
If you are only looking for the practical, a good vintage razor will give a shave as good as it gets. When you learn more, you will understand why some have more collecting value. That is the beauty of straight shaving, you can do it economically and still have fun too. Just make sure you get one that is sold by a reputable vendor and have fun.
Well look at it this way, would you rather drive a banged up old rust bucket of a car rather than a luxury car?
Both vehicles will get you from A to B but you will probably enjoy the ride in the luxury car more.
What I'm trying to say is that it all comes down to personal preferences. Will you get more satisfaction out of your shave with the more expensive razor, will you look at it thinking "Man I can't believe I only paid 200$ for that" or will you think "Man I can't believe I paid 200$ for that"?
Booth razors might be equal good when it comes to shaving but the more expensive one might give you more joy while doing it.
I would never presume to try and convince you that a $199 razor is better than a $35 razor.
Why am I willing to pay more than $35 for a razor?
1. I enjoy supporting current manufacturers such as Dovo, Revisor, Thiers-Issard, Boker, Wacker, and Hart Steel. I don't begrudge paying a higher price because razor making is a cottage industry and labor costs are going to be high if the artisans are going to make a living.
2. I enjoy shaving with historical razors from different countries including the USA, Germany, Sweden, England, France, and Spain.
3. I enjoy owning and looking at razors that have beautiful shapes, beautiful scales, and, yes, even decorated blades.
4. I enjoy using different size blades, different types of grinds, and enjoy the different feel razors have in my hand and on my face.
5. Finally, I enjoy the experience of shaving with a straight razor; it brings me great daily enjoyment and is the reason I purchase any razor.
Yes, I can get a BBS with any of my 28 razors from my $25 Red Imp 132 razor to my $279 Hart Steel razor.
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.
Happy Shaving!
:o
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.
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.
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
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
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
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.
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 $60 that will shave just as good as the Filarmonica or the Dubl Duck.
How a razor shaves should be a component of the price, but it's almost never the dominating factor.
The answer has already been given. There are various reasons why razors are more expensive than others.
Depending on what YOU want to shave with, you should set your budget.
If all you want is just shaving,then 35$ 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.
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!
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.
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.
:o
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!
:bow
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?
I feel as if I've pushed this thread as far as it needs to go. I wasn't trying to be costic, but to answer some questions, my car is a 1996 1.5L manual Tercel and it is not only paid off but gets 37mpg. I do a lot of outdoors camping and hiking and am a huge minimalist. I bought a Nickel infused Boker King Cutter for $119.00 then joined this place. I wish I would have joined first because I would have happily bought a $35 one and saved a lot of money.
I dont need a reason, I just need a PC with Internet access and my credit card... :D
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!
Hi Grant,
It is never too late. If the King Cutter is a current source of irritation, then sell it on the classifieds and find a $35 replacement. When it comes to life, razors are a pretty insignificant item and certainly not worth creating any tension or unhappiness. I wish you well.
Yeah I think that might have come across wrong :) I wasn't knocking Hart, I was pointing out more, that there is much more of YMMV in there :) and just because I think that the Imp is a better shaver doesn't mean anyone else does... But your response did help to point out the esoteric values in buying razors too, for some it is only the edge, or the looks, or the grind or size, or even the point, all these things rate differently with each person...
Look at just the Red Imps and the multiple variations of just that one name, this entire thread also helps to show why we don't do valuations on SRP there are just way to many variables that cannot be accounted for in the "Value" of the razors to different people...
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.
Yeah, there's the key. I made a couple of razor purchases before joining up here, but didn't make my first well informed purchase until after. Since then, my purchases have been supported either by research, the general knowledge I've gained, or the general trust I have for members who sell in the Classifieds. I just bought one today, in fact. Don't know what the market will actually bear, if I paid to much, but it had a couple of features I've become especially keen on and so it was worth the price to me. That's what it boils down to, a willing transaction between seller and buyer. I admire your minimalism. Alas, I have drifted a bit from that life.
Best wishes and happy shaving.
The ducks I bust with my Win.mod.21 die a more refined death than one slain with a mossberg.
Is all really very simple:)