Most definitely the golden age. Razors like the Henson and the Cyber are perfect for those that want a shave similar to a cartridge but you also have stunning cnc offerings from Wolfman, Timeless, RazoRock, Blackland, for all levels of aggression, multiple bases, slants, dual combs etc. Not to mention the awesome artist club offerings.
Are we living in the Golden age of razors?
- Thread starter Doc Dan
- Start date
Yes - we have a dazzling array of choice, technology, and information available that far exceeds what was available even a few years ago. Sure there are those who have nostalgia for a different era (which, of course, is fine .... I love my collection of vintage Gillette's like the next B&B'r) but:
Innovation will always lead the way, and marketing will get you and I to buy it ... just as Gillette did back in the day and and continues to do today. Predictably, there will always be a faction of 'they sure don't make 'em like they used to' and the faction that buys the newest thing the minute it becomes available. Then there's the vast majority who fall in the middle who found the pleasure of wet shaving, bought a few things that work and smell nice and take it no further. So, before stepping on to our various soapboxes spouting sweeping declarations, let's take into account that 99% of people who shave body hair likely don't even know our hobby and community exists, nor do they consider shaving to be anything other than a normal grooming task that takes a few minutes.
We are just lucky to have a well run forum to do our thing in peace and, for the most part, in a gentlemanly setting.
Innovation will always lead the way, and marketing will get you and I to buy it ... just as Gillette did back in the day and and continues to do today. Predictably, there will always be a faction of 'they sure don't make 'em like they used to' and the faction that buys the newest thing the minute it becomes available. Then there's the vast majority who fall in the middle who found the pleasure of wet shaving, bought a few things that work and smell nice and take it no further. So, before stepping on to our various soapboxes spouting sweeping declarations, let's take into account that 99% of people who shave body hair likely don't even know our hobby and community exists, nor do they consider shaving to be anything other than a normal grooming task that takes a few minutes.
We are just lucky to have a well run forum to do our thing in peace and, for the most part, in a gentlemanly setting.
The sheer variety available certainly makes this time in shaving unique among anything known before. Nobody is limited to just "greatest common denominator" products from a few corporate entities.
And because of the internet we are aware of pretty much every alternative. Not merely aware, but able to access them. I've had a number of razors flown to me from across two oceans, after paying electronically with a debit card on a phone that has more computing power than the Apollo flight computer. Compare and contrast with being limited to just what Kmart or Montgomery Ward had in stock.
This isn't The Golden Age. It's more like Platinum.
And because of the internet we are aware of pretty much every alternative. Not merely aware, but able to access them. I've had a number of razors flown to me from across two oceans, after paying electronically with a debit card on a phone that has more computing power than the Apollo flight computer. Compare and contrast with being limited to just what Kmart or Montgomery Ward had in stock.
This isn't The Golden Age. It's more like Platinum.
When the Fatboy came out in the late 50's it cost $1.95. Adjusting for inflation that is about $20 now. You find me a new razor that has the quality of a Fatboy for $20. And a Super Speed cost half that.
Sure, there are currently a bunch of makers making high quality safety razors out of excellent materials, but their cost limits them to an extremely niche, small market of enthusiasts. Regular people aren't going to buy those, they stick with the plastic crap that most people use.
Back "in the day" you could walk into any corner store and pick up a razor that shaved great and would last 60, 70, 80 years for the price of a couple beers, so it was within reach of everyone.
That is my definition of a Golden Age.
Sure, there are currently a bunch of makers making high quality safety razors out of excellent materials, but their cost limits them to an extremely niche, small market of enthusiasts. Regular people aren't going to buy those, they stick with the plastic crap that most people use.
Back "in the day" you could walk into any corner store and pick up a razor that shaved great and would last 60, 70, 80 years for the price of a couple beers, so it was within reach of everyone.
That is my definition of a Golden Age.
When razors were designed to use cheap easily replaceable blades it was huge. Ernst Scharff invented a single edge in 1890, a few years before Gillette invented a double edge razor "handle" in 1895. Maybe Gillette got the idea from Ernst's razor. Not sure but there are probably earlier examples.
It just occurred to me that the international nature of my razor arsenal means I have a carbon footprint comparable to Bethlehem Steel.
Here's a shave of the day with an Ernst Scharff razor. I'm not that good at honing century+ old blades so it was not exactly what you would call comfortable.
- Thread starter
- #49
Gillette was a big company and had the purse strings to corner the market. They purposely took a loss on the razors so people had to buy their blades and other items. The razors were and are very good, but the reason they were so cheap was their marketing strategy.
I think we're already there. If I ask 10 men around me, I can bet very few of them can explain me what a double edge safety razor is. They will recognize it if I will show them an image, but that's about it.
Only 2-3 years ago I had to explain a group of ~10 men (ages between 30 - 50 years old) what a straight razor is. Only one of them knew how it looks like, but didn't know it's called this way.
There are still quite a few razors available for under $50. There is no right or wrong for what you or I decide to spend for any item, there is only what we consider acceptable/comfortable to spend.
My wife likes to buy the cheapest thing that will do the job. For some things I'm nearly the opposite, but I do have my spending comfort level and it usually has nothing to do with my wallet. I always have enough money for my shopping, but like most of us I hit a price point where it feels ridiculous.
My comfort level is nowhere near yours. That's fine because I spend my money and you spend yours. I'm happy that your satisfied with your purchases and hope you can be happy that I am the same.
My Alpha Spirit is a very light SS razor that was under $200, and it pleases me very much. I consider that a bargain and you don't. It's all good, that's why we enjoy choices. Enjoy your shaves.
I believe we are, and I like it.
Very much true!
Those of us who have been to a few THIRD WORLD Places know from experience how luck we are to live in USA in wealth compare to many who survive day to day. We have choices, we have selection, we have extra income to buy toys, thing we want, and things I call bling.
Buddy and group of 8 local guys recently went to Nicaragua on a Cigar Factory Tour, to see how a Cigar Seed, wind up in Box as premium Cigar. He noted the City Hospital was next to City funeral home. Most people their live in home with dirt floor, no inside plumbing, and appear happy. The Cigar Roller & Buncher works six days a week, they are paid on production, about $0.03/Cigar Each Person.
Let say my buddy who is Retire Firefighter, and has traveled all over the World, got an education on Cigars, and how poor some people are. Did he enjoy trip, yes, but it was eyeopening.
Buddy and group of 8 local guys recently went to Nicaragua on a Cigar Factory Tour, to see how a Cigar Seed, wind up in Box as premium Cigar. He noted the City Hospital was next to City funeral home. Most people their live in home with dirt floor, no inside plumbing, and appear happy. The Cigar Roller & Buncher works six days a week, they are paid on production, about $0.03/Cigar Each Person.
Let say my buddy who is Retire Firefighter, and has traveled all over the World, got an education on Cigars, and how poor some people are. Did he enjoy trip, yes, but it was eyeopening.
Gillette didn’t just want to sell razors; they wanted to dominate the market, monopolize it. They did whatever it took to achieve that. Not many razor companies today strive with that level of ambition.
ERS4
My exploding razor knows secrets
Mr. Gillette himself even dreams of completely changing the world, at least the way of life starting with the United States.
He advocated "utopian socialism", believing that the world in the future would not need money and people would not use cars. He even tried to persuade Theodore Roosevelt and Henry Ford to join.
I heard that the talks ended with everyone yelling at each other. I think we already know how the world evolved afterwards.
Although he has fallen far from his dream, he allows us to see the influence that a generation of razor giants could have on the world at that time.
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