How do you imagine our hobby down the road? Making predictions is something I like in general.
I believe that in a decade from now the niche market will still exist, there will still be demand for higher end/luxury items for the few ones that can afford them.
Being an artisan won't be a trend anymore and many of the current makers will stop their business. Less than a handful of the now famous artisans will still be in. I'd bet that B&M and Stirling would be among them. I don't really see any other. Sorry guys.
Furthermore, I believe that there will be demand for Wolfman razors, on the secondary market, but James won't be making razors anymore, he will be out of business. His current business model is questionable anyway. His razors will be for the elite of the shavers and will change hands for 1k at best.
In addition, most of us will use synthetic brushes and brush makers will slowly stop using badger hairs. Synthetics are the future for sure.
I guess we only are a very small, almost non-existent, percentage among people who shave. We belong to the minority. In the future, this percentage will be even lower. It seems that the demand is already not where it used to be. One of the main reasons why our hobby became more famous the last years is because there was a barbershop trend. I don't see this anymore. Social medias played a major role on this. Their power has no limit.
Oh, I almost forgot it. B&B will still be up and we will be looking forward to exchanging ideas and suggestions.
I believe that in a decade from now the niche market will still exist, there will still be demand for higher end/luxury items for the few ones that can afford them.
Being an artisan won't be a trend anymore and many of the current makers will stop their business. Less than a handful of the now famous artisans will still be in. I'd bet that B&M and Stirling would be among them. I don't really see any other. Sorry guys.
Furthermore, I believe that there will be demand for Wolfman razors, on the secondary market, but James won't be making razors anymore, he will be out of business. His current business model is questionable anyway. His razors will be for the elite of the shavers and will change hands for 1k at best.
In addition, most of us will use synthetic brushes and brush makers will slowly stop using badger hairs. Synthetics are the future for sure.
I guess we only are a very small, almost non-existent, percentage among people who shave. We belong to the minority. In the future, this percentage will be even lower. It seems that the demand is already not where it used to be. One of the main reasons why our hobby became more famous the last years is because there was a barbershop trend. I don't see this anymore. Social medias played a major role on this. Their power has no limit.
Oh, I almost forgot it. B&B will still be up and we will be looking forward to exchanging ideas and suggestions.