I've been reading a bunch of reviews and web threads on DE razors recently and I notice a fair amount of talk about how a given razor is "very efficient for the asking price" or "almost as efficient and smooth as the [insert $300 boutique razor here]".
This begs the question: when did the cost of a razor become its measure? There are cheap razors that are mild and cheap razors that are out of control aggressive, same with expensive razors. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad we have modern stainless DE razors available and that they are on the whole excellent performers, but there are still $25 cast "metal" razors out there that offer all the aggression or smoothness that one could wish for as well as vintage DEs with just about any attribute you might want, often for just a few bucks.
This seems to mirror in some respects the mania for razor handles that outweigh entire heavy profile TTO razors from years past... I get that when you strive to shave without having to modulate the pressure on your razor a heavier handle than some of the vintage hollow styles can be essential, but 3 oz. handles? really?? Ditto for seeking ever more "aggression" and 30mm brush knots...
When I shave, I want to easily and painlessly remove my whiskers and do so in a fashion that leaves my face smooth... hopefully the effect will even last until evening time. I *don't* want to fight off a $250, rabid, armor plated wolverine, then brag about how it ripped off my facial hair closer than anything else I've experienced before *and* I managed to survive, mostly unscathed.
Whatever shave you desire can probably be had with either a $20 kit or a $500 kit, usually the build quality on the expensive gear will be way ahead of the budget alternative, but we should remember to give credit where credit is due and to remember that *everything* in the wet shaving world falls under the heading of YMMV
This begs the question: when did the cost of a razor become its measure? There are cheap razors that are mild and cheap razors that are out of control aggressive, same with expensive razors. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad we have modern stainless DE razors available and that they are on the whole excellent performers, but there are still $25 cast "metal" razors out there that offer all the aggression or smoothness that one could wish for as well as vintage DEs with just about any attribute you might want, often for just a few bucks.
This seems to mirror in some respects the mania for razor handles that outweigh entire heavy profile TTO razors from years past... I get that when you strive to shave without having to modulate the pressure on your razor a heavier handle than some of the vintage hollow styles can be essential, but 3 oz. handles? really?? Ditto for seeking ever more "aggression" and 30mm brush knots...
When I shave, I want to easily and painlessly remove my whiskers and do so in a fashion that leaves my face smooth... hopefully the effect will even last until evening time. I *don't* want to fight off a $250, rabid, armor plated wolverine, then brag about how it ripped off my facial hair closer than anything else I've experienced before *and* I managed to survive, mostly unscathed.
Whatever shave you desire can probably be had with either a $20 kit or a $500 kit, usually the build quality on the expensive gear will be way ahead of the budget alternative, but we should remember to give credit where credit is due and to remember that *everything* in the wet shaving world falls under the heading of YMMV