DD Wonderedge discussion

[BOGARTUS]

Why is this razor so popular and unusually expensive to buy used. There has to be similar razors that used the same methods in their production. Why are they not as trendy?

[19george]

To be quite honest I think it has to do with the fact that it is so popular among the gents over at SRP. Lynn mentioned in his video that he was introduced to the Wonderedge by another member at SRP, and after he mentioned that he liked it a lot, it almost overnight became a much more expensive razor to buy.

I'm new to straight razors so I don't have a lot of experience. Other razors probably shave just as well, its just a popularity thing. What's weird is that the Wonderedge isn't all that rare. I usually see one or two every week on ebay.

[joel]

Why is this razor so popular and unusually expensive to buy used. There has to be similar razors that used the same methods in their production. Why are they not as trendy?

It's kinda like a mercedes.... why are they popular/expensive? Because people will pay it. Funny thing is - the price on them had gone down considerably in recent years, and they are becoming more reasonable - yet Puma razors have jumped up in price big time.... figures? With what I have seen on ebay recently my 6/8 puma gold is worth like $500

Actually - I just won a DD Wonderedge for around $100 that's in great condition, with original box, and in my opinion that's about all they are worth.... 2 year ago that would have gone for $350+.

There are plenty of other razors out there that are every bit as good as a TI... or BETTER. Hell, a 5/8 Thiers Issard Egyptian Palmwood for example outshaves a wonderedge anyday, and they are readily available, but they aren't cheap either at $230. Truth is there are plenty of old ebay razors and brands out there that are as good as wonderedges (and some even better) for a fraction of the price, as the guys who are buying them (Lynn and co. included) remain tight lipped about 'em. For instance, there is one brand in particular that mops the floor with a wonderedge, but I haven't mentioned them so much as one to anyone else, as they do pop up from time to time, and they are quite uncommon, and the only one I currently have is a 2/8th's and I'd love to get one in a larger size before I mention it to a few people, and make it more expensive to get

It's a dog eat dog world

[PalmettoB]

That's our Joel, always lookin' out for us! In all seriousness, a lot of these shaving items, straights, DEs, whatever, will rise and fall every time another "wetshaving report" like the MSN one comes out, or one or the other boards gets all excited about a particular razor.

I mean, who woulda thunk it that folks would pay $10 K for a PlayStation 3 on Ebay?

[JohnP]

I'm pretty much in agreement. I think a lot of the hype over wonderedges started with Lynn's first video over at the original SRP on yahoo. Mine shave quite well, but I don't think they are some sort of magical thing. I also paid too much, by current standards, but got them at a huge bargain for the rates they were going when I bought them.
I also think there is a certain mystique about the Wonderedge's special tempering process, in which the steel was tempered in an electrically controlled oven which apparently gave better results than other contemporary methods. I don't know. They are really good razors. Perhaps part of it is because of the tempering method they are more consistent than others? One can get another brand of razor and it might be just as good, or better, or perhaps it will be a real dog. The wonderedges, however, were all extremely consistent. One always knew they were getting a good razor that would take and hold a good edge.
At least that's part of my suspicion. Otherwise, the wonderedges would not have been suggested to Lynn with that "wink-wink, nudge nudge" mentality in the first place. They were obviously well thought of before.

That said....
Bang for the buck, I generally shoot for Henkels...
John P.

[joel]

I'm pretty much in agreement. I think a lot of the hype over wonderedges started with Lynn's first video over at the original SRP on yahoo. Mine shave quite well, but I don't think they are some sort of magical thing. I also paid too much, by current standards, but got them at a huge bargain for the rates they were going when I bought them.
I also think there is a certain mystique about the Wonderedge's special tempering process, in which the steel was tempered in an electrically controlled oven which apparently gave better results than other contemporary methods. I don't know. They are really good razors. Perhaps part of it is because of the tempering method they are more consistent than others? One can get another brand of razor and it might be just as good, or better, or perhaps it will be a real dog. The wonderedges, however, were all extremely consistent. One always knew they were getting a good razor that would take and hold a good edge.
At least that's part of my suspicion. Otherwise, the wonderedges would not have been suggested to Lynn with that "wink-wink, nudge nudge" mentality in the first place. They were obviously well thought of before.

That said....
Bang for the buck, I generally shoot for Henkels...
John P.

John,
Ever try a good Genco or Geneva? I think they spank the pants off a henckels, and are much, much less expensive.

[ouch]

Wasn't Genco a Geneva made after 1928? I have two Genevas, and they were dirt cheap and shave as good as anything I have.

Joel- you can pm me the name of the razor you're looking for. If I have it, I'll send it to you.