The wait... that's really not the issueEveryone of us has a voice and it’s with your wallet. Most of the artisans mentioned are one man shows, most of us know about the wait. So we decide is it worth it? Only you can answer that
The wait... that's really not the issueEveryone of us has a voice and it’s with your wallet. Most of the artisans mentioned are one man shows, most of us know about the wait. So we decide is it worth it? Only you can answer that
+1I find it surprising that so many folks complain about Karve's business practices but had no issues with some companies who used Kickstarter to fund their razors and did not deliver any product for over a year.
To be clear - I for one never bought a razor via any kickstarter thing.
The wait... that's really not the issue
To be clear - I for one never bought a razor via any kickstarter thing.
That is all right on target, right down to the martini, which I hope was as cold and dry as you could hope for. A fundamental problem in many if not all businesses is contractors or suppliers who make claims about what they can deliver when it is really only what they hope they can deliver, or what they can deliver if everything works out perfectly and there is never any rain but only golden sunshine, gentle breezes and serenading song birds. Yes, it is often a major mistake for suppliers to do that and it hurts their credibility, but they do it, over and over again. The only consistent solution I have seen is to look at the track record for contractors or suppliers, ideally the specific ones you intend to use, or more generally for projects like yours, to become familiar with what the real timeline and costs will be, including predictable delays and problems.tl;dr Had a long day's work, so sitting back with a martini. I mention this because I am mellow right now. Karve's razor, the Christopher Bradley, is excellent. And worthy of your dollars, if interested, with a very large asterisk.
That asterisk is the documented business practice of Karve using sales language suggesting that it has actual products in stock, but then never actually seeming to have those products in stock. To me, this is much more common in the artisan community (the reality, not the communications). You want this handmade product? Pay me and I'll produce it.
I daresay that if Karve would state this, people would be willing to pay and wait for the product (or, know that they don't want to wait and not buy the product) (for example, I have often stared hard at the idea of getting a shaving brush/handle from Dogwood Handcrafts... one day, my beautiful friend). Unfortunately Karve does not do this for reasons I do not understand.
One can claim this is unreasonable. One can claim this is unfair. If I can take all the facts out there and come up with what I personally believe is a reasonable, if unwanted, situation, I will do so. As far as I know, Karve has always *eventually* delivered on the products it promised (or refunded money on cancelled orders).
I don't see them as engaging in repulsive treatment. I see quality products with poor quality communication and poor distribution. Perhaps even an inability to see the problem or sufficient desire to correct it, as it appears to repeat. Perhaps Karve's shaving sales eyes are bigger than its production stomach? The shaving market will sort it out, including all of us.
I *otherwise* see a small artisan with an honorable product who is simply making mistakes. I strive to forgive mistakes. I don't have to reward mistakes though. We all make choices about how to spend our money. I know I've also had many, many delays at times in delivering products at work. I don't like it; I promise myself not to do it again. But it does happen. It results in shame. And a desire to do better. And it's a mistake. Not in the delivered product, but the timeline, and the communication about completion.
But I respect everyone's opinions on this (I know I can and have been not only wrong, but also an offender). There's no right answer for everyone. I wish shaving happiness and contentment on everyone.
However...relate this to the wait list now for a Wolfman. Anyone complaining about that?
Yes, I'm on that wait list too (sigh), and no idea how many hundreds/thousands are ahead of me.
So Karve isn't all that bad when compared to Wolfman and Charcoal Goods.
They don't have stock in hand. They put you on a wait list. They finally contact you (might take a year) about your order and ask for the money.
Seems to be a common theme. Maybe they all should just hire more staff?
You can try to spin the whole Karve vs Wolfman vs Charcoal Goods thing as much as you want but its an apples to oranges comparison and is meaningless!! When James or Brian give you a date for a razor you can count on it being done by that date unlike Chris that has made nothing but empty promises and broken his word time and time again because he always spins it that the product is in stock and ready to ship!!Yes, thanks @DSR I did mean Brass.
Further to my reference re CG and Karve (and Wolfman). I have had a wee 'itch' for a Charcoal Goods razor.
But...no caps. I can get a Lvl 2 Copper baseplate, but I don't want Copper.
For Sept/Oct there will be....
Brass handles (limited options), Brass Top Cap, Brass Level 2 closed comb baseplates.
So, no different than Karve really. They have some bits available, some not.
Yet I don't see anyone grumping about CG or Wolfman.
I know that soon(ish) I will get an email from Karve saying "Your up next. Pay us the money".
Likewise the same with my order at Wolfman.
I did get an email from Karve today saying that the 'Wait List' for the SS is being closed at month end.
After that it's back to the normal lolly scramble!
Playing with oxidizers. View attachment 1014674
Thanks
It's not something I routinely check! The top cap screws in but does catch at the beginning and then screws in fine -- so I had a look to see why.
Why anyone would expose themselves to the shenanigans of the Karve or Wolfman Sales process is beyond me when ATT and Timeless have razors readily available. Just not flavor of the month/pseudo exclusive enough