First razor is EJ 89. Fine for the price.
All Merkurs are zamak though right? I would have a problem with it at that price point.
All Merkurs are zamak though right? I would have a problem with it at that price point.
Zamak hating seems to be trendy these days
- Thread starter billobob
- Start date
Hmm, gotta say I never seen this complaint before.
+1
As far as I can remember, nobody ever said the shave itself is inferior. The metal? Sure it is, without a doubt.
Actually, it is not that the metal is inferior. The metal is not the best choice to make razors. Why? Because Zamak is sensitive to alkaline substances. Once the plating is compromised, it is only a matter of time, it won't last long.
Why? Because shaving soap/cream is alkaline.
Basic Merkur razors are not more expensive than EJ or Mühle razors.
Why should that be a higher grade metal for that price point?
FaTip makes brass razors considerably cheaper than any Merkur/EJ/Muhle.
True ... much more aggressive too.
Not that the discussion is relevant for me; my razors are all plated brass.
But if a zinc alloy was good enough for German car door handles and mirror studs, then why should it not be tough enough for razors?
See my other post.
IMO, Zamak is not an inferior metal, I am sure it has lots of better applications, but not to make razors.
As far as making razors go, Zamak is a very , very poor choice, IMHO.
I read around here that the chemicals in shaving soap/ cream react with exposed Zamak.
This thread needs pictures.
What I find interesting is that my travel razor is a 50 year old Gillette because I can trust it to be rugged and reliable. I wouldn't dare travel with my Jagger Zink headed modern marvel because it's just too darned delicate.
Gillette produced thousands of those brass razors in three piece, TTO and TTO adjustable models without the benefit of NC Mills or any other "modern" production aides and they sold them for under $5.00 generally.
Here we are, 50+ years later in the age of digitally controlled everything and the best we can do is a pot-metal shaver with crappy plating and if we want a half-decent one of those we have to pay $35+ and be prepared to replace it every few years. Progress?
Gillette produced thousands of those brass razors in three piece, TTO and TTO adjustable models without the benefit of NC Mills or any other "modern" production aides and they sold them for under $5.00 generally.
Here we are, 50+ years later in the age of digitally controlled everything and the best we can do is a pot-metal shaver with crappy plating and if we want a half-decent one of those we have to pay $35+ and be prepared to replace it every few years. Progress?
Higher end Merkurs are same material right?
do they make an all stainless or a brass base? Honestly asking. I do not know.
Bravo.
Bob: "I find that paper is not as durable a material for bed sheets as cotton."
Frank: "Why all the 'paper hate'?"
I think not, but I think the higher price does not go into the metal.
I use a $15 Schick Krona razor.
I don't hate zamak...I shaved with an EJ for years. But I will only use brass/bronze or SS. I don't want to worry about my razor rotting or breaking. And I prefer rhodium, and I have been told zamak cannot be replated.
FYSA, a dollar bought a lot more back when the vintage Gillette of today was new.
$5 in 1945 -> $65.46 in 2014
$5 in 1955 -> $43.64 in 2014
$5 in 1965 -> $37.35 in 2014
That is just inflation. In the US and some other markets the cost of labor is probably much greater today compared to then, even in constant dollars.
I don't have anything against Zamak. I think if a Zamak razor is made well and you take care of it, it will last a long time. I don't know how long, yet, maybe longer than I last.
Another thought: The US made Weber at $70 is a bargain. My grandson, I hope, will be using it one day.
Source: http://www.dollartimes.com/calculators/inflation.htm
$5 in 1945 -> $65.46 in 2014
$5 in 1955 -> $43.64 in 2014
$5 in 1965 -> $37.35 in 2014
That is just inflation. In the US and some other markets the cost of labor is probably much greater today compared to then, even in constant dollars.
I don't have anything against Zamak. I think if a Zamak razor is made well and you take care of it, it will last a long time. I don't know how long, yet, maybe longer than I last.
Another thought: The US made Weber at $70 is a bargain. My grandson, I hope, will be using it one day.
Source: http://www.dollartimes.com/calculators/inflation.htm
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What's up with all the cotton love. Paper's been working for homeless people for years.
If we could have those for $70, that would be an extraordinary value!
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