Sounds like a Duke 1 or 2 in Pure may be up your alley.
Is it me or premium high-end brushes are out of fashion?
- Thread starter Space_Cadet
- Start date
I've already shown my brushes here. I don't have any badger or synthetic brushes. In the photo, my small herd of wild boars. They are inexpensive. But they're doing a great job.
I have one Semogue boar and the rest are synthetics from Rudy Vey, APShaveCo, Shavemac, Yaqui, Maggards, and an unknown. Synthetics are so good nowadays that a badger has a hard time competing against a Mühle Silvertip Fibre or APShaveCo's award winning G5C. Synthetics tend to be cheaper for the same quality level of brush and there is a lot less preparation time, cleaning time, and maintenance.
One thing about China is that they can't win world domination by military strength alone. However, they have the industrial might that America no longer has and are able to supplement businesses to keep prices very cheap and thereby dominate the world's economies.
One thing about China is that they can't win world domination by military strength alone. However, they have the industrial might that America no longer has and are able to supplement businesses to keep prices very cheap and thereby dominate the world's economies.
My guess is that less discretionary spending is the cause!
High inflation, higher gas prices, higher food cost, higher housing, higher taxes etc...
An expensive brush is tough to swing for many right now!
High inflation, higher gas prices, higher food cost, higher housing, higher taxes etc...
An expensive brush is tough to swing for many right now!
My one sv makes for a luxury shaving. However 5?? I guess you like the range of handles.
I have 6 badgers and 1 synthetic. Besides the synthetic that was £20 the cheapest one was £120 and it was on sale. The most expensive one was £228. It doesn’t do a better job than the other ones but I really wanted it
Premium High End Brushes are something I have never experienced, my most expensive brush was under $25.00. It works, does job, and I do not give bathroom tours to people coming to visit my home, pointing out my shave brush.
As a matter of fact most of my visitor to my property are Quail, Doves, Hawks, Sparrows, Finches, Coyotes, and a few Lizards. They stay in yard.
Can't think of last visitor I had, could be three years ago plus.
As a matter of fact most of my visitor to my property are Quail, Doves, Hawks, Sparrows, Finches, Coyotes, and a few Lizards. They stay in yard.
Can't think of last visitor I had, could be three years ago plus.
How is a luxury brush purchase any different than a luxury razor purchase?
I didn't buy any of my "luxury" items to show off to people visiting my bathroom or to show off online. I rarely post photos unless they are relevant to the thread, don't post SOTD information or photos daily with details on the items I've used.
Once you buy your Wolfman, you can open your bathroom up for tours and photos.
We set aside some discretionary funds every month.... My wife tends to save hers up... I've been spending mine on shaving gear for the past 2.5 years. I've enjoyed the purchasing part of the wet shaving journey, but I've been moving into the contentment phase lately. At the moment, wet shaving is the only hobby I have and it's quite a bit less expensive than some other ones I've had over the years.
Don't think that will happen, as I like my privacy in my home. Critter are welcome in yard, Quail are funny to watch.
I not sure if the whole planet is addicted to cheap Chinese products... but living here in the States, it seems like it.
I'd hate to see access to other sources for shaving brushes and even razors go away... but the market seems to headed in that direction.
I'd hate to see access to other sources for shaving brushes and even razors go away... but the market seems to headed in that direction.
The high end shaving products have always been a small niche with more and more companies and manufacturers competing against each other. As time passes, everything changes such as tastes and preferences and those who struggle to adapt to these changes or to can't compete with the demand of their customers or against the competition will slowly but surely be forced to leave the race sooner or later. That's not just related to shaving, it goes for pretty much anything and just because something was popular and cool at one point it doesn't mean it will be like that forever.
I do get that there are cycles for manufactured goods. What bothers me is when companies make an excellent product but are forced to close for whatever reason.... ATT, Executive Shaving Company just the other day... There is a long list in the shaving world, as I'm sure you know.....
I know the competition is fierce for the higher end of anything. The economy is living, if you will... it ebbs and flows... or hits the doldrums every so often....
Still, personally, I like to support products made in places other than China. I know I can't avoid it totally.... I'm typing on a computer assembled with parts from around the world, including China... using an iPhone, etc. Still, to me, it's like buying from a country that uses what is close to slave labor.
In the shaving world, a lot of the companies who support the higher end of our little community are small businesses.. sometimes one person... or two.. or just a handful. I enjoy their products and hope they find a way to survive. I've spent quite a bit of money, buying from them... but my large purchase days are coming to an end.... I'm sure that happens with most people. I hope others fill the void I leave.. in droves.. so they can stay in business, if they so choose.
The prices of high end shave products: soaps, razors, brushes, seem to be growing faster than the inflation rate too. I know the pandemic did a number on supply chains, but at some point, it will have to reset. Most people's salaries have not kept up. Something has to give.
When I joined, $100 was luxury for a razor and $125 for a brush. Now it's $450+ for a razor and $300 for a brush.
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Yeah, I remember when I first saw modern razors and some rare vintage razors going for more than $100 and I thought that I would never go that high. Nowadays, some folks find anything below $200 to be affordable or at the lowest end of the high end spectrum. I do own quite a few expensive razors, but even I can't compete with the top dogs in this game.
I've had to save up for a few months to afford a few of the razors I purchased... But I'm just about finished, I think... No more voracious buying frenzies... I am waiting for the Lamba Ares to be available in marine bronze in a few weeks now...
This unfortunately happens with everything when something becomes popular!
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