Cobra classic quality issues?

**drocu** · 07-02-2012, 12:19 PM

Originally Posted by Predict

I am shocked at the response I got from classic shaving. They told me that they had actually looked through a lot of razors to find the best looking one for the replacement razor(pic 2). Then they told me to send them both back for a refund. So they aren't even trying to fix the quality issues their just offering a refund. Im with you poonjaji in that I would love to see a stainless model. I hope someone else will make an injector style razor to fit these blades. Cause I am bbs 8 hours after my last shave with the cobra.

Will you be keeping the first one at least? Or will you send everything back for the refund?

**Predict** · 07-02-2012, 12:57 PM

I'll be keeping the first one. I cant give up on a razor that shaves this nice. Anyone that has an old one that is of decent quality don't let it go. I think the cobra classic is about to bite the dust. unless the manufacturer is willing to put some $$ into the project. But if someone would construct a stainless razor to hold these blades i would pay big$$ for something like that. i have suggested the idea to Richard of tradere. Havent heard anything back on it yet, but hes pretty busy building the sb and the slant

**Doodi1** · 07-02-2012, 02:23 PM

Originally Posted by Predict

I'll be keeping the first one. I cant give up on a razor that shaves this nice. Anyone that has an old one that is of decent quality don't let it go. I think the cobra classic is about to bite the dust. unless the manufacturer is willing to put some $$ into the project. But if someone would construct a stainless razor to hold these blades i would pay big$$ for something like that. i have suggested the idea to Richard of tradere. Havent heard anything back on it yet, but hes pretty busy building the sb and the slant

A Stainless Cobra is the way to go! I hope Richard or someone else hears our plea!

**Bluebriz** · 07-02-2012, 03:15 PM

Originally Posted by Predict

I am shocked at the response I got from classic shaving. They told me that they had actually looked through a lot of razors to find the best looking one for the replacement razor(pic 2). Then they told me to send them both back for a refund. So they aren't even trying to fix the quality issues their just offering a refund. Im with you poonjaji in that I would love to see a stainless model. I hope someone else will make an injector style razor to fit these blades. Cause I am bbs 8 hours after my last shave with the cobra.

That's not good, and if that second one of yours was the best they had, then I dread to think what condition mine will be in when it arrives.

**ERVARGASNY** · 07-02-2012, 05:59 PM

Originally Posted by GreekGuy

Maybe I'm just used to paying $300 for blades that are dull, covered with tarnish, and need new scales, but I wouldn't have returned a razor for that

I would, because sometimes those defects. Can bubble up.

**jepeck** · 07-03-2012, 06:53 AM

I purchased mine about a month ago, and it looks like picture one maybe slightly better with just a few imperfections. I didn't notice until imsaw this thread and checked this morning. In my case it's so minor that it doesn't really bother me.

**natchez** · 07-05-2012, 05:21 PM

Originally Posted by Predict

I'll be keeping the first one. I cant give up on a razor that shaves this nice. Anyone that has an old one that is of decent quality don't let it go. I think the cobra classic is about to bite the dust. unless the manufacturer is willing to put some $$ into the project. But if someone would construct a stainless razor to hold these blades i would pay big$$ for something like that. i have suggested the idea to Richard of tradere. Havent heard anything back on it yet, but hes pretty busy building the sb and the slant

Our 2012 goal for Tradere is to have three DE razors in production by the end of year, the OC, solid Bar (SB) and a slant. So, at this time I have no plans for an SE. As many of you may know, I am big SE fan. I love my Auto Strops, ASR offerings, and the replaceable blade straights- Kai and Feather. Frankly, I like my Cobra, despite the plating and wiggly side holes issues on mine. But, if the business goes well, you never know where it will take you.

**Predict** · 07-06-2012, 05:43 AM

Gotcha. I am soooo looking forward to the slant btw. I already have money put aside just so I can buy one as soon as they are available.

**razorx** · 01-11-2013, 08:13 PM

The Cobra Classic Razor performs brilliantly,certainly as good or better than any razor I've experienced.Although I was content with the razors I already owned,after my wonderful run with the Cobra Tour,I was looking forward to owning one.Unfortunately I was unable to purchase a new Cobra that wasn't either cosmetically flawed,mechanically flawed,or both.

Classic Shaving went 0 for 2 on quality with the razor they originally shipped me and it's replacement.

Main issues:

Original New Cobra: A small quarter moon shaped divot on edge of blade cover visible under plating,other light scratches on back of handle.Other than that,perfect.Advised Classic Shaving Customer Service of problem,and a replacement was promptly sent to me.

Replacement Cobra: Excessive slop in attachment of latch to handle.While some play is probably necessary by design,the excessive up & down "see/saw" wobble I observed was not at all present in the first razor they shipped.It's possible that it might have worked fine for decades,it certainly locked the blade down evenly every time....Truthfully I had a hard time believing it was designed to be that loose.

The inconsistencies between these two current production razors I was offered was disturbing.

Disturbing enough for me not to pay $169....
Not when the build quality for a current production Cobra's not in the same Area Code as the razor's performance.

**lurker4life** · 01-11-2013, 10:51 PM

And I've been seriously thinking about this being my next razor. I could handle the razor in the first pic no problem but not the second. Sounds like they may be trying to make sales on the reputation of the first run of razors alone.

**Zagnut** · 01-12-2013, 09:12 AM

I had a Cobra as well. (operative term: had) The plating seemed fine to me, though I can't remember. My problems with it were all mechanical. The closure latch and the blade carrier all had an uncomfortable amount of play in them. When I got it replaced, the problems were transferred to the new one.

Some iffy plating on a twenty dollar Fatip is one thing, its pros well outweigh the cons; but for its price, the Cobra should be perfect. If they can't make the plating in the grooves perfect, then charge less, or redesign it to make it easier to plate.

I had a 200 dollar Feather Stainless and, while I got rid of it too, it was for nothing related to its construction. (It was simply too mild) For the price I paid for it, the whole thing was perfect, even the packaging.

**JeffBr** · 01-12-2013, 10:16 AM

I just looked very closely at my Cobra and there are a few imperfections on handle. Latch and blade carrier are good . The Cobra is my "go to " razor. I use it more than all others and may decide to use it nearly exclusively, due to the smoothness and closeness I achieve. I look at this razor as a tool, but understand the cost vs quality can be debated.

**razorx** · 01-12-2013, 03:33 PM

Thanks Gents....

To put things in perspective I think it helps to remember that we're razor people.Although you could spend more,I'd think anyone shelling out 169 smackers for a razor can be assumed to have more than a casual interest.

Who among us would post any razor at any price on a Buy/Sell//Trade without somehow clearly documenting it's flaws? If in the future if I'd ever wanted to sell it to anyone,I'd have to note any production defects and price it accordingly.

Buying from an online vendor's a leap of faith,ironically...many times I could go on Ebayy or any razor site's BST and have a far better idea of the condition of an item via images and communication with the seller.

In this situation I was buying a new product from an online vendor....The only available source from which to purchase a new Cobra.A buyer has to count on them to get it right.In a brick & mortar store I would have left without buying anything unless they had a better one to laying around somewhere.

**Snuff-Belgium** · 01-13-2013, 03:48 AM

My Cobra also is not perfect mechanically and I paid a lot more then $169 (shipping to Belgium + $14 customs handling + 21% tax). But I can live with the imperfections as it's one hell of a shaving apparatus!

**joe2** · 01-15-2013, 06:13 AM

Seems to be the way of the modern shaving world. In the past year I bought a Ikon OSS with a bent comb and plating imperfections, 2 Weber Arc with poor plating and my Cobra has some of the same spots shown here. Success maybe isnt always a good thing! My first shave with the Cobra was today with a Kai Mild blade and I have to agree with many others, there may not be a better shave out there at any price! Not a nick or a weeper and as comfortable as it was smooth.

**oldtrout** · 01-15-2013, 07:17 AM

Originally Posted by razorx

The Cobra Classic Razor performs brilliantly,certainly as good or better than any razor I've experienced.Although I was content with the razors I already owned,after my wonderful run with the Cobra Tour,I was looking forward to owning one.Unfortunately I was unable to purchase a new Cobra that wasn't either cosmetically flawed,mechanically flawed,or both.

Classic Shaving went 0 for 2 on quality with the razor they originally shipped me and it's replacement.

Main issues:

Original New Cobra: A small quarter moon shaped divot on edge of blade cover visible under plating,other light scratches on back of handle.Other than that,perfect.Advised Classic Shaving Customer Service of problem,and a replacement was promptly sent to me.

Replacement Cobra: Excessive slop in attachment of latch to handle.While some play is probably necessary by design,the excessive up & down "see/saw" wobble I observed was not at all present in the first razor they shipped.It's possible that it might have worked fine for decades,it certainly locked the blade down evenly every time....Truthfully I had a hard time believing it was designed to be that loose.

The inconsistencies between these two current production razors I was offered was disturbing.

Disturbing enough for me not to pay $169....
Not when the build quality for a current production Cobra's not in the same Area Code as the razor's performance.

This is a shame as the Cobra is indeed a fine tool. Forntunately, my Cobra doesn't suffer from these issues, I guess I got lucky. I do worry about the clasp/latch thing, it's the one part I would have liked to have been over-engineered for durability. Otherwise, I think the razor is awesome.