Looking for a Razor in Victoria, BC, Canada

[dfrey]

As the title says, I'm wondering where I can find a safety razor in Victoria, BC, Canada.

A search earlier today turned up fendrihan.com and it looks pretty good, but I would like to buy something locally to avoid shipping costs if possible.

I would also like to hold a few razors in my hand before making a decision.

 

[RocketMan]

Here is a one post thread about Simply The Best in Victoria. I have been there too and for new razors it is your best bet in Victoria. (or pretty much your only bet!)

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=107560&highlight=victoria

 

[dfrey]

Thanks for the information. I'll check them out tomorrow.

 

[dfrey]

I just got back from a trip to both the BC Shaver Shop and Simply the Best.

Simply The Best
There was a fairly decent selection of Merkur and a few Edwin Jagger. There were no prices or model numbers listed anywhere, so it was pretty tough to get a feel for how much stuff was. They did have a Merkur Progress adjustable razor which was easily identifiable, so I asked how much it was. I'm not sure if it was the long or short-handled model, but the price quoted was $139 CAD.

The price for that same razor is USD$55 on westcoastshaving.com or CAD$78.50 on fendrihan.com. Both prices quoted were the long handled version. I'm not sure if he misquoted the price, but that is a pretty ridiculous price for that razor.

The only other price I got from him was $50 for an Edwin Jagger razor. I don't know which model it was, but it looked a lot like this one: http://www.fendrihan.com/edwin-jagger-classic-razor-with-chrome-plating-p-626.html
That price aligns a lot more closely with reality.

BC Shaver Shop
They only had two different razors. One was a Merkur 23C for $39 and the other was basically the same razor with a comb, but I can't remember the model number. The 23C is listed for USD$29 on westcoastshaving.com, so that's a pretty fair price as well.

At this point, ordering online from westcoastshaving.com seems like it makes the most sense. The shipping costs are actually pretty low and the prices are way cheaper than any Canadian outlet that I know of. Plus, they have the Merkur 38M and 38C in stock which is what I think I want.

 

[ginantonix]

You managed to find the two stores in Victoria that I know of that carry Merkur razors. I think you are correct in your assessment of both - Simply the Best is a fun store, but the prices are not cheap. BC Shaver is better price-wise, but selection is limited (as you found out.)

Alfred at Fendrihan is great to deal with, I would recommend him as well as Rasage Poulin out of Calgary - both great online vendors. If you do decide to go with the US-based vendors just be careful with the shipping methods, couriers can charge outrageous 'border processing fees.'

Whichever direction you choose, make sure you also get a sampler pack of blades. Merkur blades are generally not well regarded (although the razors are great) and you really need to find a combination that works for your skin, beard and razor mix.

 

[ginantonix]

Oh, and welcome to the B'n'B!

 

[dfrey]

Can anyone explain to me why the Merkur 38 is so much heavier than the 34?

Fendrihan.com lists the 38 as 120 grams and the 34 as 68 grams.

 

[ginantonix]

Um... because they're made heavier?

Seriously, the longer handle probably has something to do with it, not sure what else but I would suspect it's deliberate. They feel very different in the hand; for me, the longer handle on the 38C didn't quite feel right. I was also moving from some old Gilettes (which are usually shorter) and I find I have more control that way. As you will see here many times if you look around, YMMV (your mileage[results] may vary.)

As you said, BC shaver has the 38C; maybe go in and ask to hold it again and see how it feels. If you are new to shaving with a safety razor review the information in the 'new shaver' section and the wiki, and Mantic's videos. The biggest change from shaving with a cartridge is 'no pressure' on the face, just the weight of the razor. Some prefer a heavier razor, or a longer handle.

If worst case scenario you decide after buying one you don't like it, you can probably sell it for a small loss on the buy and sell area (after 50 posts.) Or keep it as the first of what may well be many as your RAD (razor acquisition disorder) takes hold.

 

[syzygy]

Simply the Best has some pretty nice stuff but holy moly the prices are way way out of line (except for Trumpers creams). The Edwin Jagger medium best badger - you know the one that sells for $40 everywhere else, is $179 at that store. I asked him if he has checked out any of his competition on the web and he said he doesn't use a computer at all.

 

[dfrey]

Um... because they're made heavier?
As you said, BC shaver has the 38C; maybe go in and ask to hold it again and see how it feels. If you are new to shaving with a safety razor review the information in the 'new shaver' section and the wiki, and Mantic's videos. The biggest change from shaving with a cartridge is 'no pressure' on the face, just the weight of the razor. Some prefer a heavier razor, or a longer handle.

BC Shaver does not have the 38C. They have the 23C which has a 4" handle like the 38C, but weighs about half as much (58 vs. 120 grams).

 

[oldblue]

Simply the Best has some pretty nice stuff but holy moly the prices are way way out of line (except for Trumpers creams). The Edwin Jagger medium best badger - you know the one that sells for $40 everywhere else, is $179 at that store. I asked him if he has checked out any of his competition on the web and he said he doesn't use a computer at all.

I know, isn't he a hoot?

I wandered in there a couple of months back when I first became interested in shaving as a hobby. I was just there to get a feel for what he carried and recommended, so I asked a couple of questions.

Q: "Isn't it generally true that shave soaps tend to have less preservatives than shave creams?"

A: "Ah ha, you've been doing some reading on the Internet. That's bad; well it's good and bad, but...."

Ah, maybe if I wasn't such a noob. Thinking about this now, I figure that was 'Simply the Best LOL' I've had in a while.

oldblue

 

[ginantonix]

Mmm... I recently went in to ask about fountain pen repair. My father just gave me a Parker Vacumatic that my mother won in a raffle in 1943. He said they couldn't be repaired, the only place that would do it would charge $150 and wasn't worth it. I did notice all the shiny new fountain pens he had for sale.

I went to vanity fair antiques, and the wife of the man that refurbishes fountain pens in town took it for a complete overhaul for a fraction of the price. I also found many places online that would correct the filler for $30-40.

Kind of reminds me of when my daughter was 5, she wanted $20 for something. I felt she did not need it, so she decided to earn the money by selling flowers from our garden. $20 for a handful of dandelions! In her mind, she only had to sell one bundle rather than lots. Kind of pathetic watching her on our sidewalk, yelling about 'flowers for sale.'

 

[RocketMan]

Yeah, I didn't buy a thing when I went there. Prices way too high, and I also ran into his attitude about learning information on the internet. He only wants you to have his information I guess. I kinda wanted to ogle some of the brushes and stuff he had, but he watches like a hawk too, up your butt like a Keg restaurant server - so it isn't even an enjoyable browse.

I won't buy anything there either. But, somebody asked where to get razors and supplies in Victoria, and, well, there ya go!

 

[stroppy]

There's a "House of Knives" type store in Woodgrove Mall in Nanaimo that sells some Merkur safety razors and some Dovo straights. Again, prices are higher than off the net. Perhaps a trip through the yellow pages can turn something up along that line. Old Morris had some Merkurs a few years ago but the prices were outta sight.

Regards,

Les

 

[ginantonix]

Actually, I was HoK in Mayfair yesterday picking up a new tub of TOBS and I noticed they had some Merkur razors there, too. I didn't see which models.

The TOBS was quite reasonable for them, $20 for the tub. Some nice brushes (not silvertip but badger) in the $40-50, and they let me smell the creams to help decide which one I bought. Nice to have access to this locally!

 

[RocketMan]

Actually, I was HoK in Mayfair yesterday picking up a new tub of TOBS and I noticed they had some Merkur razors there, too. I didn't see which models.

The TOBS was quite reasonable for them, $20 for the tub. Some nice brushes (not silvertip but badger) in the $40-50, and they let me smell the creams to help decide which one I bought. Nice to have access to this locally!

House of Knives in Nanaimo at Woodbridge are also carrying the Taylor of Old Bond Street creams - two anyway - Mr Taylor and Sandalwood. 20.00. I am pretty sure all the HoK are carrying it now - certainly on BC mainland anyway. (just as a note though on buying str8s thru them, I asked in Nanaimo who they recommended for sharpening a straight if I was to purchase one, and the only thing they came up with was 'buy a strap'. That is all you need apparently! lol They had no one sharpening for them or to send you to.

 

[pbnj]

I went into his store unbiased on every negative review about him and after one short short conversation I hate to jump on the bandwagon but wow horrible sales person. Extremely biased (on every product that his store doesnt sell) and my god the prices are offensive. I honestly wish he didnt work there, would be more of a relaxed atmosphere rather than having him inquire and force his opinions on you. Fendrihan delivered in 4 days to victoria....and house of knives has a good variety of tobs which I am grateful for considering how rare it is to shop for this addiction o'mine.

 

[payden]

I know this is an old thread, but try out The Copper Hat, down in Fan Tan Alley. Great service and a satisfied customer!

http://thecopperhat.ca/

 

[pbnj]

needs more products