Thread: D. Ralph razors finally coming out...

Originally Posted by JerseyLawyer

I agree. There is certainly a market - look at the number of Maestro Livis that have been sold, for example. And I think at the higher end of the market, there are people who will buy a custom razor simply because it's custom and a work of art.

Someday, when I'm a grownup lawyer, makin' the big bucks...

They are very nice looking but definetly out of my price range.

Originally Posted by JerseyLawyer

It doesn't bother you when the scales get all melty?

Seriously, though - that actually would work? Wouldn't it distemper (untemper?) the blade?

I know that a simple shot took care of any distemper with my cat!
Next time I'll just try the oven thing?

C utz

Originally Posted by Darrel Ralph

Can I get some input here about your blade preferences?

Hey Darrel,

What about more of a 6/8" swayback spine, arch tang, notch tip and an extended tail design? Sort of like a modern creation of an old design. (OH, this is a design that I particularly would like to see.....)

(See attached picture)

C utz

The problem with doing an old-fashioned razor is that ebay is swamped by the things, plus livi is already doing new ones. It seems to me that the market needs new razor designs more than it needs rehashed old ones.

Mind you my favorite style is the humble and venerable frameback which probably discredits my opinion somewhat...

Originally Posted by Darrel Ralph

Hello all,

My name is Darrel Ralph. I want to thank you all for taking the time to make comments on my first attempt at Razor making.

Welcome Darrel. I hope you're a str8 shaver so we'll hear a lot from you.

In any case, if you're new to this type of shaving, you are bound to discover features you wish the razor had. I know I do. The difference is you can do something about it. That would be my main suggestion: you find a feature you wish you had the chances are it would make your razors extra special.

Your razors are obviously works of art, and in view of that you prices are reasonable. However, that does put them out of the reach of many of us here. It might not be feasile with something that requires this much hand work, but something in the $200-300 range would go over very well here.

I'm sure you've seen the Dovo and TI razors at classicshaving.com (have you seen the limited editions?). In general, they exhibit some features available on traditional razors, things like a worked back. A more premium grade of razors can be found at shavingshop.com. This will give you an idea of what the premium razors have to offer and their cost. Of course, these are not custom razors.

BTW, the Dovo video and TI literature show that a lot of the work on razors is still done by hand, one piece at a time.

Originally Posted by C utz

These look similar to the one's Frank Warner has been making:
http://www.franksknives.com/razorspage/razors.html.

Hi, buddy. If you really think so, one of us needs a new optical prescription.

To me, Franks knives give a very delicate impression, whereas Darrel's have a very rugged impression. Both are modern, but they're made by modern artisans.

Originally Posted by JLStorm

You should come up with a few large razors IMO

Agreed. I don't think they even make 7/8 or larger razors in Solingen anymore. You can only get new ones from TI. So, one distinguishing feature would be a large size blade, which you already seem to have.

Originally Posted by Darrel Ralph

I will be offering a user level razor soon in the 450.00 range.

Well being a Kiwi we speak as straight as a policemans truncheon.

User level for $450 give me a break.

I can understand many members being gobsmacked over the designs but c'mon cnc machines do more than rough cut, the scales are too uniform to be hand done and I'm sure given the opportunity CRKT could come up with the same stuff for 25% of the cost.

Sorry Darrel..Give me a hand made Bill Ellis razor any day, no cnc machines near it and you can see the hours of hand craft applied.

Alternately Vlad would make you something mind-bending for your user level price and it would shave without question and probably be stropped on the thighs of a virgin.

They look nice in an engineering sort of way but they ain't custom razors in my book..

Gary

Originally Posted by randydance062449

If it arrives with a rockweel of 63 then first it will go in my kitchen oven for 3 hours at 400 degrees!

If I recall correctly, that Cnetigrade temperature. I guess you kitchen is equipmed very differently than mine. I'm luck to get 350 F.

Originally Posted by Darrel Ralph

Can I get some input here about your blade preferences?

I like your blades. The only thing is that since it is a custom razor and work of art, maybe it needs a signature or autograph initials.