Nice pictures, it really does look better with the polished handles...Sell the Tradere handle on BST perhaps...
My only other satin razor would be my Futur, but if I got another of that model, I'd probably go for the gold.I've not yet seen my Tradere but I've been thinking about the satin finish issue. It seems to me that shiny razors are standard, and satin finish razors are rare and rather special. The PILS comes to mind of course. Sterling silver razors from Tiffany's come to mind. Gold plated razors of course are not shiny, gold has a mellow burnished look.
Both the gold and the silver Mvltiplex razor comes to mind. The Mvltiplex is one of the most expensive razors one will ever find, if one ever finds one.
http://razorland55.free.fr/razor_great01.htm
And so it seems to me that there really is no question about it: a satin finish spells "unique". A shiny finish does not.
My only other satin razor would be my Futur, but if I got another of that model, I'd probably go for the gold.
As for the Tradere handle (all I have is the handle, I'm not an OC user,) I doubt I would want to polish it. If anything, I would look into having it electro-plated in either Sterling Silver, Nickel, or Rhodium ... but my gut instinct tells me to leave it the way it is.
Our handle sports a satin finish to compliment the high polish of the head and to provide the best possible grip.
Stainless is comparatively soft, and high-polish starts looking pretty crappy after a fairly short time, with any sort of handling/case wear. Pretty much the reason you see satin/brushed finish SS handguns, rather than high-polish, as compared to high-polish chrome. The chrome is MUCH harder, and more wear resistant.Copied and pasted from www.tradererazors.com
Apparently, the shiny head and the matte handle were done that way intentionally. While it may look odd to those of us that are used to the same finish top-to-bottom, the designer must have had his reasons to make it look the way it does.
Again, though ... I'm leaving my handle the way it is.
Stainless is comparatively soft, and high-polish starts looking pretty crappy after a fairly short time, with any sort of handling/case wear. Pretty much the reason you see satin/brushed finish SS handguns, rather than high-polish, as compared to high-polish chrome. The chrome is MUCH harder, and more wear resistant.
Apparently, those who are complaining about the two different finishes on the razor either did not read Richard's original write up, or did not buy the razor and are just carping. I bought and received the razor and it's a quality, well built, highly machined shaving tool.
Apparently, those who are complaining about the two different finishes on the razor either did not read Richard's original write up, or did not buy the razor and are just carping. I bought and received the razor and it's a quality, well built, highly machined shaving tool.
I think everyone that has purchased , or that has even considered purchasing one of Richard's fine razors is aware of the finish.
I think Turtles thread here was simply to give Richard some feedback from what end users and potential buyers may desire in future runs.
Look at weber....his razor is now MUCH different than his first run after feedback from customers. Many new start up companies can not afford the marketing research and test groups to make several prototypes before an initial release. If I was Richard I would appreciate any constructive criticism. Every review or comment I've read on B&B so far has been in praise of his quality and superior service.
My thoughts about this finish issue:
If I pay good money, I don't want to have to invest time and energy into getting it right.
If the razor is for basic frequent shaving, then it's a non issue for me. If it's for fondling and admiring, or one of my "museum pieces," then it needs to please me without qualification or having to head to the bench to fire up the Dremel.
Lesson here...it's probably best to buy something in the complete finished product form, not in pieces arriving at different points in time. Then there's no surprises or bad assumptions to regret.
I've used several OC razors down through the last 4 years, and never really liked any of them. The only one I could even tolerate was a vintage Gillette NEW, but I haven't even used that in at least 3 years. I guess not everyone is cut out for BOTOC. I love my Tradere handle (currently attached to a Stahly head) but I can't see getting the OC head from them ... if they ever come out with a Straight Bar version, I'd be on it in a minute.I questioned Richard about the finish before I orderd the head. I really thought it should be a better match but once I got it, I'm okay with it. I'm not sure the open comb is for me though. First shave went okay but not great. I'll give it a couple more outings before I decide if it's a keeper.
In response to those who think their input will make a difference, here's a quote from Turtle's opening post:
"I have talked to Richard about the mismatch in finish and he said that the handle could be polished to match the head but that he did not plan on changing the finish of either the head or handle since both are already in production. I asked him if he would mind if I posted about this mismatch and see what other B&B members thought of the difference in finish so don't get the impression that I am trying to bad rap his product or blind side him (remember I have sat here for 4 days contemplating this before posting)."
Since Richard indicated that he would not change the razor's finishes, what was Turtle's point in bringing it to the Forum at all? All it did is create two different opinions without an outcome!!!