I think the production Tradere Head/Handle looks great as is.....Elegance in form and function
There's no way I'd polish it.
There's no way I'd polish it.
I've got two handles, so I might polish one of 'em just because.
I think a better marketing strategy would be to design a Straight-Bar head, or a hybrid asymmetrical one like Ikon's H20.I have been thinking of ordering a second handle and polishing it. Still have not used the razor after a week so maybe a second handle might be the best alternative.
This is a GREAT marketing strategy if it gets everyone to buy 2 handles
I think a better marketing strategy would be to design a Straight-Bar head, or a hybrid asymmetrical one like Ikon's H20.
I'm not an Open Comb kinda guy. I've tried several different OC razors and just don't like them, and I've only found one that I can just barely tolerate (vintage Gillette NEW.) By offering another head option it would open up a much wider user-base.
I'm patient. I'll wait for it.
After reading this, I'm less apt to buy one.I have been thinking of ordering a second handle and polishing it. Still have not used the razor after a week so maybe a second handle might be the best alternative.
This is a GREAT marketing strategy if it gets everyone to buy 2 handles
Pretty sure turtle was joking, and completely sure that nothing could have been further from the mind of the man who designed and is building/marketing the razor.After reading this, I'm less apt to buy one.
I have been thinking of ordering a second handle and polishing it. Still have not used the razor after a week so maybe a second handle might be the best alternative.
This is a GREAT marketing strategy if it gets everyone to buy 2 handles
After reading this, I'm less apt to buy one.
Pretty sure turtle was joking, and completely sure that nothing could have been further from the mind of the man who designed and is building/marketing the razor.
Yes, of course, I get that. But the overall collective comments don't make me want to run out and buy anything from the vendor. The reason mentioned for the odd mismatch on the finishes was production costs mainly...not anything to help the consumer. A razor head should match the handle. That buyers are actually discussing the need to Dremel an expensive item, or buy a second one, just to end up with something they should have gotten out of the box, is enough for me to understand this is not something for me. Otherwise, to each, his own.Pretty sure turtle was joking, and completely sure that nothing could have been further from the mind of the man who designed and is building/marketing the razor.
Yes, of course, I get that. But the overall collective comments don't make me want to run out and buy anything from the vendor. The reason mentioned for the odd mismatch on the finishes was production costs mainly...not anything to help the consumer. A razor head should match the handle. That buyers are actually discussing the need to Dremel an expensive item, or buy a second one, just to end up with something they should have gotten out of the box, is enough for me to understand this is not something for me. Otherwise, to each, his own.
One difference...all your examples came in as a finished razor. People could see what they were buying. The Tradere was delivered in two pieces at different points in time. You either accepted what you got or, like several posters here, you either flat out complain, or in subtle ways let the vendor know he might have done better with the finishes.I believe you are being unfair. In fairness, this is not an "odd mismatch". Rather it is an aesthetic choice made by the vendor taking into account production costs. All manufacturers do exactly that, and that is exactly what I expect manufactureres to do when looking at what will work for the consumer ie. balancing aesthetics and the costs associated therewith.
I have a Gillette 1948. It has a knurled handle. The handle is effectively a satin finish but the part just under the head is shiny and the head is shiny. It's not mis-matched. It's a beautiful classic razor.
My stainless Lux razor has a matte handle and a shiny head.
The Weber has a different coloured head than the handle.
I have a number of GEMs that are exactly like that as well. The finish on the handle does not match the head.
My Ikon handle is satin, the original head has a bottom plate that is satin and the top plate is shiny. I've another Ikon head which is the "New Standard" model. It is shiny. All look great with on the satin handle even though the head is shiny.
People love the Mergress razor, and for good reason. It is a shiny chromed razor, but the stainless knob though polished looks very different than the rest of the razor. It is by no means a match, and to the best of my knowledge I've not seen anyone complain to Mer that the knob should be chromed to match the razor.
My 1945 Pleese, has a matte handle and a shiny head. Like the Gillette the handle is shiny only just under the head. This one was made in Palestine by what was to later become an Israeli arms manufacturer when the State of Israel was created.
In my case, I am still waiting to see my Tradere, and while I would have thought that an all satin finish would work better (for me) than the differently finished head, I'll make up my mind as to whether I like the look after I see it, but I've no doubt it will live up to my expectations that it's a beautiful razor.
I agree with you "to each, his own" these are wise words, and I certainly don't want to argue and there is no point in arguing about aesthetic choices, but I do want to make one point, and it is this:
there are plenty of sought after razors that have handles and heads that have very different finishes, that do not match and which are considered to be beautiful, classic razors.
Were I to speculate, I would guess that the Tradere is a good candidate to become one of the great classics, and I'm really happy to be on the list to own one of the first production runs of this razors
One difference...all your examples came in as a finished razor. People could see what they were buying. The Tradere was delivered in two pieces at different points in time. You either accepted what you got or, like several posters here, you either flat out complain, or in subtle ways let the vendor know he might have done better with the finishes.
Well, I'm glad you like yours. That's really all that matters.No, not quite: the Ikon was not a complete razor. I and many other bought it while it was still in production. Handles first, heads later. The second generation heads were sold separately when they were sitll in production. My memory which is vague on the point is that they were offered for sale before they went into production.
And as far as "complete" razors go, people buy vintage razors off the internet. With the exception of the Ikon, all the razors I listed were bought off the web. Almost no one sees a razor they buy before it arrives in their mailbox and that is the case with each and every razor I listed in my post. I once and only once bought a razor that I had previously held in my hands. And so, the fact that the Gillette 1948 has a satin finished handle and a shiny head was not something that was apparent to me when I bought mine.
There's no point in trying to give Gillette any feedback on the finish of their 1948 razor but by posting here Richard will be able to get feedback on his.
Yes, of course, I get that. But the overall collective comments don't make me want to run out and buy anything from the vendor. The reason mentioned for the odd mismatch on the finishes was production costs mainly...not anything to help the consumer. A razor head should match the handle. That buyers are actually discussing the need to Dremel an expensive item, or buy a second one, just to end up with something they should have gotten out of the box, is enough for me to understand this is not something for me. Otherwise, to each, his own.
One difference...all your examples came in as a finished razor. People could see what they were buying. The Tradere was delivered in two pieces at different points in time. You either accepted what you got or, like several posters here, you either flat out complain, or in subtle ways let the vendor know he might have done better with the finishes.