I tend to go where I can get the best price (while avoiding Amazon). Although you state the Artisan gets more if you buy direct, it's not quite as simply as that as the reseller will be buying their products in bulk which helps cashflow (equally important to an Artisan). The more bulk orders, the more they can increase production which tends to drive costs down for them.
It would seem that some vendors and makers are starting to blur the lines as well, for example Edwin Jagger has its The English Shaving Company site that has a good selection of non-EJ products and and more and more vendors are selling their own brand goods.
It would seem that some vendors and makers are starting to blur the lines as well, for example Edwin Jagger has its The English Shaving Company site that has a good selection of non-EJ products and and more and more vendors are selling their own brand goods.