Future of DE Shaving Prediction

[sandmountainslim]

Originally posted in another thread but this prediction deserves its own thread

Remember in the future that The Slim predicted this on a Christmas morn in 2009


How long before a new subculture arises in this hobby similar to the Rat Rod scene in custom cars?

How long before a group rebels against mint condition razors and beautiful custom handles and a Rat Blade Revolution occurs??

It is bound to happen sooner or later as it does in every hobby.
I can foresee the day where people shove an Old Type or NEW head on mismatched handles on purpose and even sand spots of finish off and touch up the handles with primer or flat black paint

Of course the more dangerous the better! So there will be shavers sticking thick paperclips under their blades and washers made outta bored out Indian Head Pennies. Probably be even a number of razors using non-razor components like the handle off of a spatula or other such inventions.

Wp

 

[dpm802]

I'm predicting that more manufacturers will limit their production of aerosol goop and begin marketing their product in squeeze tubes. It will cost more, and not shave any better than the goop did.

Many manufacturers will be jumping on the "Green" bandwagon ... they will tout their products as being "Eco-friendly." Many will claim their soaps and creams are "Organic."

Another development I predict is that many products will start shrinking in size as the price remains the same or rises. For example, a 4.4oz puck of Tabac soap will start shrinking about 10% per year, and eventually, we'll see a 2.5oz puck selling for about the same thing that a 4.4oz does today.

Finally, we might see Gillette return to the manufacture of DE handles ... but don't get excited. They will re-engineer these to use a proprietary blade, available only from Gillette, at a cost of about $1.50 each.

 

[shamus]

I don’t post much to the forums but I read a lot of the posts on B&B. I’ve been shaving for over 40 years and seen lots of new razors and fads come and go. I strongly feel that in the near future there will be a change over to double edge razors being manufactured again by Gillette. Unfortunately, the quality of these new razors will be nothing like the vintage razors of the past. Instead they will be plastic and the “new” blades will be dedicated for use ONLY in the new “improved” double edge razors. There will also be disposable double edge razors….made out of plastic. Who knows what they will use to make the handles heavy to guarantee a close shave. This is just my “two cents’ and gut feelings for the future of DE shaving in America based on the price of the cartridge system of shaving and the medical advice given to shavers. A change is coming with the realization that no matter how many blades you put on a razor head the only clean and dermatology recommended way to shave is with a single blade.

 

[BBrad]

Maybe I've had one bourbon too many this afternoon . . .

Slim's thoughts seem kind of cool . . . how would my old "Frankenrazor New" look in a fresh coat of red oxide primer . . .

Or if I took the "split from stem to stern" handle from a junk old type, patched it with Bondo, hit it with gold paint, and clearcoat . . . and attached it to a Travel Tech head?

(Maybe I need another shot of Jim Beam?)

 

[sandmountainslim]

how would my old "Frankenrazor New" look in a fresh coat of red oxide primer . . .

Or if I took the "split from stem to stern" handle from a junk old type, patched it with Bondo, hit it with gold paint, and clearcoat . . . and attached it to a Travel Tech head?

You may start this trend!!

A couple posters have predicted a return to DE razors by Big Razor and that be somehow possible. How many blades can Gillette possibly keep adding??? The madness has to stop somewhere but where I dunno.
Wp

 

[xanderlih]

I predict a story on the subject (DE Safety Razors / Wet Shaving) in the New York Times sometime in the next few months.
Some of the rustic examples in the DIY threads are very cool, they're all pretty cool really. I don't know if this newbie is ready for a rat blade revolution, per se, but that all looks fun enough that I bet it picks up.

 

[mecha_buddha]

Been away for a long time, popped in to read some threads.

I don't ever see a mass acceptance of wet shaving, because soaps and brushes cannot just be grabbed while out getting groceries. there is also a learning curve that most people will not invest.

It will stay a niche, but may get publicity from the "eco crowd" (no aerosol and once you use up a soap, nothing to throw away) or the "back to basics crowd" (simple life proponents and preppers).

As for new razor trends I expect more of the same in different packaging. A loss leader handle made of plastic and replacement blades that cost about 5 dollars each. you cannot support infinite economic growth if you make something that doesnt need to be replaced every 3 months.

 

[mmack66]

Been away for a long time, popped in to read some threads.

I don't ever see a mass acceptance of wet shaving, because soaps and brushes cannot just be grabbed while out getting groceries.

This can be easily solved.

As for new razor trends I expect more of the same in different packaging. A loss leader handle made of plastic and replacement blades that cost about 5 dollars each. you cannot support infinite economic growth if you make something that doesnt need to be replaced every 3 months.

Razor handles last a lot longer than 3 months.

 

[michiganlover]

Razor handles last a lot longer than 3 months.

Correct.

As much as we all hate Gillette, and the Fusion monstrosity, Gillette's cartridge handles do last far longer than 3 months.

I would say they probably average around 5 years, as Gillette wants it to eventually break, so you are forced to buy their newest, and greatest gadget.

Although my brother in law has a Sensor handle with has to be all of 10-15 years old.

 

[Mojo88]

Let a show like Doctor Oz or Oprah do something on how to shave correctly. You will see a flood of buying and a price spike that will be unreal. If you don't think it could happen look at nettie pots, after one episode the drug stores sold out.

 

[Slivovitz]

Even in the world of advertising, where history, facts, and logic have little place, it might be hard for Gillette and Schick to say "Oops, we changed our minds about multibladed razors. We're reintroducing double edged and injectors."

I could see them both introducing a new line of special "classics", though, and expanding it if it were a commercial success. If there's a market to be exploited, then eventually the corporate giants are going to be there. Cheap TTO and 3 piece razors are already being manufactured in Asia, it wouldn't take much for Gillette to order some for the US market.

 

[ek.310]

As many of the old school shavers told me (off BB site)..DE/SE shaving won't be commonplace because it really does take longer to shave n some people really assume they have less time to dedicate to this lifestyle, process, whatever you wanna call it..but as far as a collecting/experimenting hobby..yea we're good for the next 100yrs!

ek.310

 

[dpm802]

I don't ever see a mass acceptance of wet shaving, because soaps and brushes cannot just be grabbed while out getting groceries.

If we could get high-end brushes, exotic soaps and vintage razors as easily as we get milk and eggs, it would take most of the fun out it.

there is also a learning curve that most people will not invest.

And that learning curve adds even MORE fun to the equation.

But seriously, I didn't start wet-shaving to have fun. It just turned out that way (thanks in a large part to my brethren here at B&B.) I wasn't trying to save money over the cost of cartridges, because we all know that's just a myth.

I was in search of a better shave, and better grooming experience overall ... and to that end, wet-shaving has paid off tremendously.

The best result is when I meet up with friends and family that haven't seen me since I started on this odyssey. Their universal response upon seeing me for the first time is "Wow ... you look GOOD!"

 

[AndyL]

I don't ever see a mass acceptance of wet shaving, because soaps and brushes cannot just be grabbed while out getting groceries. there is also a learning curve that most people will not invest.

I know every market is different, but my local safeway, walmart - all the big chains have at least 1 brush, one blade and 1 soap on the shelf- not the highest quality stuff, but they do have them...

I was easily able to setup 9 shaving kits to give out as xmas gifts; having razors and blades on hand to give out; got the soap/brushes at a liquidation shop (1$ each) - now the soap/brushes weren't the highest quality, but they did a fair job - I tested one, was able to work up a good lather... And I know so far it's converted 2 from the modern razors...

 

[MrGuy]

I agree with the "eco-friendly" movement. Changes will likely be confined to more non-aerosol creams. They will be labeled as "All Natural" and "100% Organic". Brands like Kiss My Face will be seen on more and more shelves in stores of all kinds. This will start some people thinking about the environmental impact that cans of goo and cartridges have, they will look into DE and SE shaving, some will become hooked. Gillette will never issue a new DE razor. They will, however, jump on the eco bandwagon by producing handles and carts made with "X%" post-consumer recycled materials, maybe even special edition "green handles" with leaves and panda bears embossed on them.
A little fuel for my theory is from my own personal experience talking to people about DE, SE, and straight razor shaving. Only one person has commented on the environmental factor, he's had a full beard for more than 5 years because he didn't want to throw out piles of plastic due to shaving. I just recently began telling him about wet shaving and straight razors. He's looking into a straight from Vintage Blades. A few people think that it would be nice to have shaving cream scents other than the deodorant style stink that comes out of a can, but aren't interested in a brush. The majority of people point out Gillette and Schick's add campaign that you need at least 3 blades to get a decent shave, and nothing I say will change their minds. The multi-blade mentality has been pushed too far for too long.
I also agree with many posts on the subject made in the past, one reason I love wet shaving is because it's not what everyone's doing. If Oprah does a segment and turns on the nation, I'll be very sad

 

[dpm802]

I also agree with many posts on the subject made in the past, one reason I love wet shaving is because it's not what everyone's doing. If Oprah does a segment and turns on the nation, I'll be very sad

I don't see Oprah ever doing a segment on wet-shaving, nor The View, or Ellen DeGeneres, or any of the other day-time shows that are marketed to women.

Even if they manage to sell women on the idea of wet-shaving, it would be from the standpoint of "Here's a thoughtful gift you can give to your significant other."

NO, THANK YOU. My shaving gear is a very personal choice, and I wouldn't want a female picking it out for me. For that matter, I wouldn't always trust the judgement of another man to decide what I want to groom myself with.

The most I would hope for, in a case like this, would be gift certificates to some of my favorite vendors, but please let me choose the gear myself.

 

[Oldguy]

Originally posted in another thread but this prediction deserves its own thread

Of course the more dangerous the better! So there will be shavers sticking thick paperclips under their blades and washers made outta bored out Indian Head Pennies. Probably be even a number of razors using non-razor components like the handle off of a spatula or other such inventions.

Wp[/B]

So this is where the paperclip recomendation came from. Unbelievable.

Len

 

[moshulu]

I predict that the wetshaving renaissance will spread to Europe and Asia, putting enormous pressure on the prices of high-end vintage razors (Toggle, President, Aristocrat, etc.). Once the price of a Rocket HD crosses the 200 euro threshold, mass counterfeiting will begin in China. The quality will be excellent, and the market will stabilise or collapse. Mark my words.. you read it here.

 

[sandmountainslim]

Once the price of a Rocket HD crosses the 200 euro threshold, mass counterfeiting will begin in China. The quality will be excellent, and the market will stabilise or collapse. Mark my words.. you read it here.

The Chinese Bootleggers would serve humanity FAR better by making quality knockoff Rockets etc than by sending out the dangerous Could Be Lord blades they sell now!
Wp

 

[blantyre]

4 predictions:

1. A big increase in "limited edition" and custom items - brushes, razors, maybe even creams at premium prices - this has been the norm with knives, pens and watches for sometime now and the pace is picking up with wetshaving products now that the market is there. A (large) premium will be charged if the items are numbered or otherwise uniquely identified.

2. Expansion of the "green angle" on wetshaving - it is less environmentally damaging to reuse a metal handle than to dump a complete plastic body razor after half a dozen shaves.

3. DE shaving becoming more mainstream - being seen in movies and TV shows as a background activity just as smoking used to be a "normal" daytime activity for all healthy adults. It will be quite a while before straights become mainstream.

4. More reformulations of colognes, balms and creams as ingredient prices keep rising and restrictions are applied to use of some additives - e.g. sandalwood oil, rose oil.

Overall nothing very dramatic but a steady sequence of changes and in some areas increased choices, less in others.