Plastic Containers

[Wade253]

Why don't Merker and others follow the packaging of the old Gillettes that had a nice plastic travel box with blades ala the Weishi? It seems like they are practical and coveted for the vintage razors.

[rabidpotatochip]

The short answer is that they'd spend more on packaging.

The long(er) answer is that they'd not only spend more on packaging the razors, but they wouldn't be able to sell you a travel case separately at a higher cost than just adding it to the cost of the razor. :wink:

Of course, this is all just "got out of bed the morning after a party" speculation...

[mr-razor]

The short answer is that they'd spend more on packaging.

The long(er) answer is that they'd not only spend more on packaging the razors, but they wouldn't be able to sell you a travel case separately at a higher cost than just adding it to the cost of the razor. :wink:

Of course, this is all just "got out of bed the morning after a party" speculation...

:thumbup:

[copperhead]

The short answer is that they'd spend more on packaging.

The long(er) answer is that they'd not only spend more on packaging the razors, but they wouldn't be able to sell you a travel case separately at a higher cost than just adding it to the cost of the razor. :wink:

Of course, this is all just "got out of bed the morning after a party" speculation...

+1

[Racso_MS]

Since we are on the subject, where can I purchase travel cases for my Merkur razors? I own, the Merkur Progress, the Merkur Slant, the Merkur HD, the Merkur 38C, and (I don't need one for this razor), the Merkur Travel Razor.

I just read the reviews on the 23C (LHC). I'm going to put that on my wish list right next to my request for a Futur and Vision. (Man I need to take out a loan.) No better yet, sell some of my Gillettes (there's a thought)...:wink:

Enjoy your shave... :biggrin:

[rabidpotatochip]

Since we are on the subject, where can I purchase travel cases for my Merkur razors? I own, the Merkur Progress, the Merkur Slant, the Merkur HD, the Merkur 38C, and (I don't need one for this razor), the Merkur Travel Razor.

You could check these (http://www.classicshaving.com/catalog/item/550344/2094975.htm) out if you're looking for something in leather.

[Roman414]

Also, those old Gillette cases were intended to catch your eye when they were displayed on drugstore shelves. How many Merkurs are sold on store shelves? I have never seen one.

[MTgrayling]

How much could it possibly cost Merkur to include one of these with a razor? $.15? http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h89/csbswMT/IMG_2262_1_1.jpg

[rabidpotatochip]

How much could it possibly cost Merkur to include one of these with a razor? $.15?

I'd say closer to $1.00 for something like that. The current packaging would be about $0.15. Part of my job includes the purchase of packaging material so I do have some idea what I'm talking about. :wink:

If the cost of a unit goes up by $0.10 you're spending an extra $1.00 for every 10 units, an extra $10.00 for every 100 units, so for several thousand units you end up sinking a lot of unnecessary money into it. And I'm still going with my earlier theory that it's easier to sell it separately as a travel case with an extreme markup, say $10.00 per unit. Then there's the space issue; the bigger the unit gets the less you can fit in a case which means you'll need more cases, this means more cost. Since you're able to fit less in a case and your truck is still the same size you'll need to make more shipments, and fuel is expensive. And we're not even getting into the new equipment that would be needed yet.

I know that seems like splitting hairs, but things like that do come up when considering the real cost of changing packaging material. Anyway, just adding another $0.02CAD.

[RichGem]

I believe Em's Place carries the official Merkur hard shell case too.... black plastic bottom, clear plastic top, stamped with "Merkur."

[MotoMike]

I believe Em's Place carries the official Merkur hard shell case too.... black plastic bottom, clear plastic top, stamped with "Merkur."


My Progress came in the above case. I use it when I travel. Also, I have seen them for sale separately for I think $6. they are not made as well as the old Gillette cases, but they are ok. there are two slots, one on each side of ther razor that snuggly hold two of the current plastic dispensers that many blades come in. My Crystals fit in there fine.

Regards,
Mike

[Racso_MS]

I'd say closer to $1.00 for something like that. The current packaging would be about $0.15. Part of my job includes the purchase of packaging material so I do have some idea what I'm talking about. :wink:

If the cost of a unit goes up by $0.10 you're spending an extra $1.00 for every 10 units, an extra $10.00 for every 100 units, so for several thousand units you end up sinking a lot of unnecessary money into it. And I'm still going with my earlier theory that it's easier to sell it separately as a travel case with an extreme markup, say $10.00 per unit. Then there's the space issue; the bigger the unit gets the less you can fit in a case which means you'll need more cases, this means more cost. Since you're able to fit less in a case and your truck is still the same size you'll need to make more shipments, and fuel is expensive. And we're not even getting into the new equipment that would be needed yet.

I know that seems like splitting hairs, but things like that do come up when considering the real cost of changing packaging material. Anyway, just adding another $0.02CAD.

Good answer and, having worked in retail many years ago, makes perfectly good sense. :thumbup:

[MooingLizard]

Rabid- Cool job! (I bet you never thought you'd hear that!:biggrin: ). I should learn more about that- I'm actually interested in supply chains and packaging stuff, but I digress...

Wade- This thread (http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=11248), if you scroll 60% of the way down, has a great idea for how to make your own leather travel case for a razor (any razor). If you or SWMBO are decent with a needle, it might be worth a try, and it's something on my to do list in the next couple of weeks. I'm not paying $50 for a case- that's 3 or 4 vintage Gillettes!

[aprentistsorcier]

How much could it possibly cost Merkur to include one of these with a razor? $.15? http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h89/csbswMT/IMG_2262_1_1.jpg

Wonderful MT! Where did you find it?

[Rexall]

My dentist gives me a free toothbrush with the annual checkup. The toothbrush now comes in a fairly heavy plastic bag, sort of like a wide ziploc bag (with sliding zipper) about 2 or 3 inches deep. It holds a DE razor and brush easily, is clear plastic material so the contents are visible, will fit easily in suitcase and or dopp kit. Now I need to schedule a few more appointments to get a few more of these!

[MTgrayling]

Wonderful MT! Where did you find it?

I found it on eBay. It came with a mint SS and is large enough to fit a fatboy comfortably. I've since seen one exactly the same in a Mahogany colored celluloid.

[copperhead]

Wonderful MT! Where did you find it?

If you want something similar then look arond for soap boxes at Target.

[TacoBell]

Shavemac.com sells something that they call the "Razor Merkur Box" which looks just like an old Gillette plastic display box. $5.90

[CitizenDan]

I found it on eBay. It came with a mint SS and is large enough to fit a fatboy comfortably. I've since seen one exactly the same in a Mahogany colored celluloid.

I've got one of those. Came with a redtip SS I got off of Ebay.

[justpursuit]

The Merkur Case through Shavemac. Shipping is 14 Bucks though for any order to the U.S.

http://www.shavemac.com/index.php?lang=en&area=men&sel=5&cat=7&product=22691&prod_id=6

Im sure if you look hard enough you could find it else where as well.

[_JP_]

If you're feeling cheap about getting a razor case, then try a two piece soap box used for travel.

[arcman]

I've been considering using one of those hard eyeglasses cases as a razor travel case. Holds just about any size razor and a pack of blades very comfortably.

[jss]

If anyone finds a source please post it.

[EmpireView53]

I bought a long handle Parker once.(Which I hated) And it came in a case with a snap-open and close lid. Nothing really that nice, but very decent 4 travel. And the 38C fits perfectly in it! :001_smile

[Aevum]

i got the same with my parker 96R, its basicly a (VERY) faux lather rectangular box with a push botton close,

its ok, i have a feeling that on the inside its cardboard and not very crushbox,

[g4willy]

I believe Em's Place carries the official Merkur hard shell case too.... black plastic bottom, clear plastic top, stamped with "Merkur."

I just picked one up from Em's place. $6.95. Search for merk-pb. Basic but effective and room for two 10 packs of blades.