Do Expensive Razors Really Improve the Shave?

[slr31]

Agree with difference between Yugo and Ferrari about getting what you pay for. But not sure if that is a very apt example when discussing razors.
Yes, there are modern razors that are newer designs (like Futur, Cobra) but some are kinda re-makes of older models but with better material like SS. Don't think that improves the shave. Better experience, yes but better shaves may be not.

 

[coyotewhisper]

My razors are mostly vintage Gillettes, open combs, superspeeds, techs, and adjustables. They all have their own distctint personalities and all deliver great shaves.

I have one modern razor a Cadet Mongoose that I also enjoy using. I prefer using my vintage razors.

I'm not of the opinion that a more expensive razor would shave any better than what I'm currently using. A quality shave has many factors the razor being one part of the equation.

 

[dfoulk]

I'm just saying that in spending more on the ATT razor I did get a better shave. So in my particular case an expensive razor is giving me a better shave than I've ever gotten before.

I've found that there are no guarantees here no matter how much or how little you spend with soaps, blades, brushes or razors. Each is different to everyone. We can only do research and then try things for ourselves to truly know what works for us.

There is no guarantee that anyone else would get the same results in using this razor, or that I would get the same results with a different high end razor.

I think our differences of opinion lie in how we are interpreting the question.

So if the question were "Do all expensive razors really improve the shave?" my answer would be a definite no.

But since I interpreted it more of a "Can expensive razors really improve the shave? My personal answer is yes.

 

[wacomme]

I have a Merkur Progress, a Gillette NEW LC, and a Gillette Fatboy. None of them are cheap razors. They all shave differently and all are good shavers.

I want a Gillette '34 or '36 Aristocrat. This razor wont likely shave any better than my other three razors (well, maybe a little - my rationalization), but the price of the razor will be astronomical compared to the other three.

 

[ByMyBeard]

Expensive is also relative. I would say that if you're comfortable spending the money on a higher cost razor, you will probably enjoy it. Rather that is just for the looks, or for a "better performance". I'm just starting out, so I went on the cheaper side of things. I have to be careful with blade alignment when I put the blade in, but once it's in it doesn't move around. I'm not sure if that would improve with a mid-price razor (thinking EJ DE89 and Merker's), or if you would have to go to Stainless Steel to get something better. That would be the question I would be asking.

So if you want a more aggressive razor, or think you do, perhaps getting something of something of similar quality to what you have and trying it out would be a better starting point. Then, if it doesn't work for you, you aren't out anything. If it does, and you want to upgrade later, you have a better basis for a starting point.

 

[deafficianado]

The answer to your question is yes and no. Yes in terms of the use of the word "can". And no an in many like myself who prefer a Gillette Tech over a Feather ASD2.

 

[dfoulk]

Expensive is also relative. I would say that if you're comfortable spending the money on a higher cost razor, you will probably enjoy it. Rather that is just for the looks, or for a "better performance". I'm just starting out, so I went on the cheaper side of things. I have to be careful with blade alignment when I put the blade in, but once it's in it doesn't move around. I'm not sure if that would improve with a mid-price razor (thinking EJ DE89 and Merker's), or if you would have to go to Stainless Steel to get something better. That would be the question I would be asking.

So if you want a more aggressive razor, or think you do, perhaps getting something of something of similar quality to what you have and trying it out would be a better starting point. Then, if it doesn't work for you, you aren't out anything. If it does, and you want to upgrade later, you have a better basis for a starting point.

I'm not sure I read your question correctly but...
The mid priced razors like the EJ DE89 do hold the blade firmly in place and are and excellent choice to start out with. If you wanted something a bit nicer and slightly more aggressive in all stainless without spending a lot of money the Weber is an excellent choice for about $30 more at $70. For the additional cost you get a nice heavy stainless steel handle and much better build quality than the EJ. The Weber is the razor I wish I would have picked as my first razor. It's very well thought of here. You should research it if you are considering a new razor. If you find that you don't like it you can probably sell it on the BST for about $10 less than you paid for it. So it is a fairly low risk purchase. You can choose to collect many inexpensive razors instead if that's what you want to do. Personally I'd rather have fewer really nice ones. In stainless pricing goes way up after the Weber. It's about double the cost of the Weber for other stainless offerings. As far as what I purchased, I wouldn't recommend a $185 razor or $300 5 piece razor set to you when you are just starting out.

There are also some excellent vintage razors that were built to last. You may have fun hunting for these at flee markets and antique stores to pick up for very little money. You can get them on ebay as well but that's not as much fun as finding them yourself. These are usually fairly inexpensive and were built to last forever.

 

[chamm]

I can relate this to my own experience as a musician. I play the trombone. I can pick up almost any trombone (so long as it's got a smooth slide) and get a decent sound out of it. In fact, I could probably use it in a paying gig and not sound bad enough to get fired. I've even played on one of these, which by all known properties of physics and material science, should sound utterly terrible, and I got a decent sound from it.

However, the trombone I regularly play on is arguably one of the best you can buy. I've been playing for over 25 years (man, I'm old...) and I can actually notice and appreciate the very, very subtle differences in back pressure, resonance, timbre, response, etc. between my horn and an $800 horn with nearly identical physical characteristics. I could give my trombone to one of my students who has been playing for 3 years, and he/she would sound EXACTLY the same as their $800 horn, maybe even worse. When their parents come to me and ask if they should spend thousands on a trombone, I almost invariably tell them no, partly because it would be a waste of money, and partly because I don't want them to have a nicer instrument than me. ;-)

Now, we aren't talking about the difference between $800 and $5000 here, so maybe it's not such a big decision. Are there differences between a $20 Gillette Old Type and a $300 ATT Kronos system? Absolutely. Would you notice? Maybe. If not now, maybe when you get better. It really comes down to one question: Is this something you want to spend your money on? You can absolutely, positively find a $20 razor out there that will give you an acceptable shave. Maybe even the best possible shave. Price pretty much correlates to production cost, not really effectiveness. If you're low on funds, I wouldn't recommend splurging on it just yet. Get a cheap one, feel it out, get some practice. In a year, you'll know much better what it is you're looking for anyway, and won't end up buying 20 razors like I did.

 

[Doc Bugg]

I think his point is that he could make any cheap guitar sing if he wanted too, because he was an expert guitar player.

If he wanted to.

 

[August West]

If he wanted to.

Yes. It implies choice. Very good.

 

[Icebear]

...
Today we live in a throw away society. We use things up and throw them out because it's cheaper to just buy a new one. I grew up in a different era an era where my father and grandfather taught me that if something broke you fixed it and you took care of the things you had. My grandfather taught me that with your tools and other possessions that if you buy crap you will always have crap (I'm not saying that all other razors are crap so please don't bash me on this). But if you spend a little more to buy the best you can get, and take care of it, then you will have something truly special that will treat you well for the rest of your life. ...

A BIG +1 on this paragraph, I wholeheartedly agree .

Other than shaving soaps, shaving cremes and DE blades ... I mostly do quite a bit of research before I buy something. Usually I don't buy cheap but I do enjoy taking care of my stuff, doing maintenance, cleaning and just prolonging the life I can use it. And if something does break down, I will try to repair it, rather than just dumping it and get a new one.

Ooops and of course to the OP question:
In general I don't think price and performance do strictly relate. Shaving once face is too much of a YMMV thing. Whatever skin type and geometry, there might be just the perfect shave coming from a $10 flee market find as well as the ATT Titan. You'll never know until you have shaved with it.

 

[Kerrplunk]

No. Technique and time do.

 

[Okla1911]

I'm researching a stainless purchase & have settled on the ATT system. I know its pricey but stainless lasts forever.

 

[yung puck]

Do what you want to.
$$$$ doesn't always = a great shave
thats were time and technique fit in
but this is a lifestyle
read quote below

 

[Jake]

Stainless may last "forever" but the silver or nickel plated over brass early Gillettes have lasted over 100 years and with a little cleaning will look great and shave as well as any of the modern razors. Truly technique matters. Price is a function of scarcity or workmanship or both. Quality Techs, British or US made, will provide excellent shaves. But the experience of shaving with a 50+ year old (Aristocrat Junior for example) is its own benefit. It is the entire experience of the shave that you've likely taken this route. Searching for a ritual that will provide a great shave but also be a total immersive experience including the razor, brush, soap, prep, finishing lotions, and the super smooth cheeks your significant other will adore.

It's not the price, but the entire package and sometimes you will pay a little more for that.

 

[duderubble]

I have the definitive answer here. If you spend more than you can comfortably afford, you will get a better shave, because you will convince yourself it has to be a great shave because you paid a lot of money for that razor. This in turn will make you learn how to use that razor to its full potential.

 

[infotech]

I have the definitive answer here. If you spend more than you can comfortably afford, you will get a better shave, because you will convince yourself it has to be a great shave because you paid a lot of money for that razor. This in turn will make you learn how to use that razor to its full potential.

Or could make you bitter knowing you spent more than you should on a silly razor that probably won't shave any better than the $20 one you had. The fanciness kind of wears off with familiarity and builds up with soap scum you have to clean regularly just to keep it nice and shiny. The bitterness grows until you decide to sell the razor on BST and grow a beard.

 

[Mojo88]

I have had some very expensive razors and some very inexpensive razors as well. For me the thing that made the most difference was the choice of blade. If I had to pick three razors and only three razors to keep I would choose them in this order. Cobra, 58 TV Special and Toggle. I use a feather blades and they provide the most comfortable shave.
As you can see by my choices the razors I have run the scope from new to vintage. I like the Cobra because it provides the quickest most comfortable shave. With that said with a little more effort the Toggle and the TV special provide great shaves also. It really is a YMMV type of thing.

 

[GLOCKREAPER]

No matter how much you spend on current production junk, it will never beat a $5 antique store NEW.

I do like my 41c a lot though.

 

[kingfisher]

I'm with dfoulk on this one.

I wouldn't have thought so previously, but after I bought my Tradere, I changed my mind. I still have a lot of other razors, I just don't use them anymore.

Maybe duderubble is right, and the reason is that I want to like it because it cost a lot of money, but I really think that the geometry of the razor just fits me better. The way the head feels on the face is just perfect. No other razor I've ever tried felt this smooth. I love how it covers the blade tabs, too, and the way the blade is dead nuts every single time I load it up.

Certainly it's not true that there's some sort of linear relationship between cost and performance; my second favorite razor is a Tech that was PIF'd to me. But I think in the Tradere I've found something that truly is head and shoulders above any other razor I've ever tried. Worth every penny, IMO.