Cost of Stainless Razors

[LiveOak]

The average cost of the new stainless razors (Tradere, Feather, Ikon, Pils) averages between $150 and $200.

Stainless steel is not a rare item, and I can get many things made out of stainless steel for less than this. I could buy a decent stainless watch (and that includes mechanical parts, battery, etc.). I can get a nice set of stainless silverware or even a very nice Buck knife. The amount of stainless in a razor is far less than some of these items, so why the inflated cost?

I imagine it must be the quantity of items made. The stainless razors are more of a boutique item in reality and are not mass produced, so that may account for it.

Various razors made by Edwin Jagger and Merkur can be had in the $50 range, and I assume the manufacturing process is the same or even more complicated when you consider plating.

I have lusted over all of the above mentioned razors because of the obvious advantages in durability, but the prices have deterred me. The shaves from them aren't any better than their brass counterparts I would imagine.

Any insight?

 

[rand77]

If I was to guess, I would say machining stainless steel is much more difficult which adds to the cost.

For cast razors I'd say the high cost is due to economies of scale. It's an item manufactured in low quantities, and the fixed costs (mold of razor parts?) is expensive.

Just a guess though, I have no idea for sure. Also other razors are made of pot metals, which is vastly cheaper.

 

[mmack66]

I am sure that part of the cost is due to the limited market. These aren't selling even in the high hundreds, so the cost will reflect that. All of those things you listed are made at a much higher volume. Another part of the cost is the perceived value in stainless steel as a material. Method of manufacture likely has some bearing in the cost as well.

Merkur and Jagger razors use cheap Zamak that is then plated.

Keep an eye out for the Weber stainless razor, as the price on it is more reasonable.

 

[LiveOak]

Forgot about the Weber, and it is the one exception the the rule that I can think of.

 

[smalltank]

I am sure a quarter of it is from the shipping in Japan if its a Feather...its tough to see wet shaving not as well "known"..I have chatted to guys at the gym..never heard of DE/SE..some heard of straights as an "idea"

 

[Rob72]

The average cost of the new stainless razors (Tradere, Feather, Ikon, Pils) averages between $150 and $200.

Stainless steel is not a rare item, and I can get many things made out of stainless steel for less than this. I could buy a decent stainless watch (and that includes mechanical parts, battery, etc.). I can get a nice set of stainless silverware or even a very nice Buck knife. The amount of stainless in a razor is far less than some of these items, so why the inflated cost?

I imagine it must be the quantity of items made. The stainless razors are more of a boutique item in reality and are not mass produced, so that may account for it.

Various razors made by Edwin Jagger and Merkur can be had in the $50 range, and I assume the manufacturing process is the same or even more complicated when you consider plating.

I have lusted over all of the above mentioned razors because of the obvious advantages in durability, but the prices have deterred me. The shaves from them aren't any better than their brass counterparts I would imagine.

Any insight?

In context, no the shaves aren't better (vis-a-vis, mt Tradere and a Barbasol). However, EJ and Merkur aren't using brass, save possibly in the form of tubing for the handles- the heads are zinc.

The question then becomes: which is worse, spending $150 for milled solid stainless steel(with about 20-50% markup over cost of machining, materials, etc.), or $50-150 for the zincies, with 100%+ markup?

 

[razorx]

I am sure that part of the cost is due to the limited market. These aren't selling even in the high hundreds, so the cost will reflect that. All of those things you listed are made at a much higher volume. Another part of the cost is the perceived value in stainless steel as a material. Method of manufacture likely has some bearing in the cost as well.

Merkur and Jagger razors use cheap Zamak that is then plated.

Keep an eye out for the Weber stainless razor, as the price on it is more reasonable.

Good post....

I think stainless steel pricing is where it should be,you get what you pay for.Weber's hitting the $70 price point because it's cap & baseplate are cast stainless steel with a protective coating and the overall quality standards for finish aren't quite up to that of manufacturers selling razors at a higher price point.

Outstanding Shaving performance from razors manufactured from many different materials at a variety of price points can certainly be found.

If a razor machined out of a block of 316 marine grade stainless steel offers an incredible shave and flawless quality it's going to be priced at whatever the market is willing to bear.A look at the way many of these high end/low production numbers razors hold or increase their value over the years speaks volumes.

 

[Altair]

I think that with the SS razors to be good they have to be CNC machined. I think you have to Program the machine with CAD software. Also limited runs like many have stated. Also the manufacturer is selling to Vendors and they have to make a buck. So that needs to be taken into account. Weber sells direct I to end user and I suspect doesn't sell to vendors so that's why hes keeping his price low.
CNC isnt cheap to run.

 

[itsmedave]

The two best razors in my den are my Tradere and my ikon S3S. The build quality of both is off the charts. Webers are fantastic as well.

 

[warhawk]

Hi LiveOak: That's why I got a Weber DLC with bulldog handle. It's a thing of beauty with a color combo of stainless steel and black (reminds me of the Oakland Raiders). This is a great razor for the price of $70. U cannot beat this price if compared to a Pils, Tradere, iKon.

WARHAWK

 

[ERVARGASNY]

Any SS Razor is a Serious Shaving Instrument Period.

Prices aren't all that bad when you compare EJ's Cheap Material Used "Fantastic Shaver's" None the less.

 

[Gordy2]

Chevy vs Cadillac. Build quality, SS and craftsmanship all add up. Muhle is about as close as it gets on the other side and some of the regular fancy handled, non SS, razors are pretty pricey too.
P.S. I drive a Chevy but own a Tradere and Weber, priorities count! : )

 

[Face&Head]

. I could buy a decent stainless watch (and that includes mechanical parts, battery, etc.). I can get a nice set of stainless silverware or even a very nice Buck knife. The amount of stainless in a razor is far less than some of these items, so why the inflated cost?

The tableware is generally stamped in very high quantities. The watches made in tens of thousands in highly automated factories, when they're made in small quantities by artisans they can cost about what a decent used car will run (see this Patek Philippe). Tooling is very expensive and if that cost has to me amortized over low volume it can add substantially to the cost.

I imagine it must be the quantity of items made.

You answered the question perfectly.

I own all the razors mentioned with the exception of the Weber (it's on my list though). Do they shave better than other modern or vintage razors? No. But each has it's own unique qualities which makes them shave differently...that's reason enough for me to own them. Think of it this way, both a R89 and a R41 are capable of delivering great shaves but the experience will be wildly disparate. That's the fun part of this hobby.

 

[jamesspo]

Yep, the answers have all pretty much given. It's about volume. Lower quantities leads to higher prices, because of less ability to recoup fixed costs. The materials certainly add to it, but that wouldn't be a huge factor. Most of the cost is going to be in the machining.

 

[chongo gordo]

I am sure that part of the cost is due to the limited market. These aren't selling even in the high hundreds, so the cost will reflect that. All of those things you listed are made at a much higher volume. Another part of the cost is the perceived value in stainless steel as a material.

Exactly right. Check ut the prices on gas fittings next time you're in your local hardware store. They're pretty cheap. Double Edge razors are a niche market and the only way some of those brands could possibly make a go of it is to maximize unit profit. Price has little to do with production cost for this product.

I'm waiting for Merkur, Muhle or Jagger to issue a "prestige series" composed of all-brass or stainless construction for an extra $30 or so. It will happen because it's a flat market so they need repeated sales to an established client base. Also because it's a good idea.

 

[itsmedave]

I don't think it will be long before we'll see an EJ Chatsworth with a stainless head to begin with, then an all stainless. I don't know that Merkur will follow, but I'm sure Muhle will as well.

 

[ERVARGASNY]

I don't think it will be long before we'll see an EJ Chatsworth with a stainless head to begin with, then an all stainless. I don't know that Merkur will follow, but I'm sure Muhle will as well.

I hope Muhle amd EJ Make a SS Model, Becuase i want and demand the Good Stuff. ;o)

 

[razorx]

I don't think it will be long before we'll see an EJ Chatsworth with a stainless head to begin with, then an all stainless. I don't know that Merkur will follow, but I'm sure Muhle will as well.

Most likely will be Cast & Coated SS (just to have an SS option) not CNC Machined and polished like the higher end stuff.

Nothing at all wrong with Cast SS,my iKon OSS,Feather AS/D1 and Weber all have a Cast SS baseplate and cap...

 

[Sledgehammer39]

If I was to guess, I would say machining stainless steel is much more difficult which adds to the cost.

For cast razors I'd say the high cost is due to economies of scale. It's an item manufactured in low quantities, and the fixed costs (mold of razor parts?) is expensive.

Just a guess though, I have no idea for sure. Also other razors are made of pot metals, which is vastly cheaper.

+1 I suspect this also.

 

[john shea]

Stainless is harder to machine than carbon steel adding to manufacturing cost. For a high volume sale intricate item such as revolvers, using stainless steel over blued carbon steel adds about a 60% premium to cost. Of course, blued steel is not cast zinc pot metal.