Luxury vs. Value

[elsmooth]

Hey all! A question for those of you who have used a luxury safety razor and a value safety razor. How do they compare? The specific razors to which I'm referring are something along the lines of Feather Stainless or iKon vs. the EJ 89. I have the EJ89, and I'm considering buying something more luxurious (after selling off some of my current stock).

Thanks for any input!

 

[Hawkeye5]

While it may be pleasant to indulge in some luxury now and then, when it comes to DE razors I feel it is more “what works for you”.
For example, I’m not a big Gillette TTO fan, except for the Knack which has a lower dome, and my preferred DE razors tend to be two or three piece.
I can see spending some money for a top end straight razor, but I wouldn’t spend the same for a DE.

 

[glassmtn99]

I have had an EJ 89x, a Feather Stainless, and an early iKon. If you are happy with the shave you are getting with the EJ, than it is probable that neither the Feather nor the iKon will give you a better shave. I enjoyed the build quality of the Feather, which I consider to be second to none. However, it did not give me a better shave than the EJ. Neither did the iKon. So I ended up selling the Feather and the iKon and keeping the EJ. To me, I could not justify the cost of the two higher priced razors. So I think it depends upon your personality. If you truly enjoy having a luxury product, then you may very well like having the build quality of the Feather. And it will last multiple lifetimes, if that matters. Just don't expect a better shave.

eric.

 

[ateace]

From the sound of it, when you say "luxurious", you mean "very expensive".

Many would argue that the Edwin Jagger DEXX line is at least as luxurious as a razor priced in the three figure range (Joris, Feather SS, iKon, etc.), probably more so.
If you are inclined to try out the pricey razors and have the means, then go for it.

Higher price doesn't always equal better performance. I get fantastic shaves from my $12 Lord DE.

 

[elsmooth]

Thanks for the feedback, fellows. I'm not one who wants luxury for the sake of luxury, so it sounds like I should just stick with the EJ (I'm a fan). Thanks!

 

[huck1680]

I've got an EJ as well and it's an excellent razor, well balanced, nicely finished etc. I also have an ikon, a Pils and the new Tradere. I can't comment on the Feather although I've heard some good reviews. The Weber has also gotten favourable posts so it's kind of a toss up. I really like the Tradere and have been impressed with the performance. But does it shave better than the EJ? Not really. Don't buy because you might think a "luxury" razor would shave better because of cost. Buy because it's something you'd like to own. Some of my favourite razors are ones I got from Bob Smith (rest in peace Cooncat) with the New Gillette head. Very nice shavers, gorgeous to look at and weren't particularly costly. In the end you should buy what appeals to you aesthetically, in a price range you're comfortable with. And with all that... good luck and let us know what you decide to go with.

 

[Doppelgaenger]

Agreed, the stainless razors aren't expensive because they're better, they're expensive because they're expensive to make. Now that being said I've heard nothing but raving about the futur and especially the vision, people who own them seem to think that while they're very expensive, they're actually worth the money you pay. I've joined the fold of believers in the adjustables, but I'll keep it retro with my slim until I can afford to throw away money on a vision which may be never.

 

[razorx]

A Ford or a Ferrari will get you to your destination,an ugly woman or beautiful woman can be a fantastic girlfriend,etc.etc.....etc....etc.

I've found I usually get what I pay for.

 

[paddyshave]

Same as you I started off DE shaving with the EJ89 and once the RAD kicked in I convinced myself that I absolutely needed a Feather AS... I believed that it must give me the best shaves ever for that price. How I was wrong! It looked gorgeous indeed and its quality is really second to none, but was barely able to remove my beard growth and actually got skin irritation because I needed to do too many passes. Therefore I ended up selling it after a couple of shaves and went back to happily use the EJ89 (among others) - which by the way is a very high quality razor as well, just not stainless.
To be honest, a few months and several razors later I can say that performance of DE razors doesn't have anything to do with the price tag. But I can understand why people spend a lot of money on luxury razors, they are nice to look at, feel good tin the hand and for some they might perform very well. Personally I would rather recommend to spend the money on a few cheaper razors so you have a nice rotation and variety.

 

[takeshi]

A Ford or a Ferrari will get you to your destination,an ugly woman or beautiful woman can be a fantastic girlfriend,etc.etc.....etc....etc.

I've found I usually get what I pay for.

The car analogy doesn't work for me but I'm a driving enthusiast and the driving experience differs greatly from an econobox (or a pickup or a comfortable sedan, or even a different type of sports car as even within that category they're not all designed with the same purpose in mind) to a true sports car. There are significant handling differences and other significant performance differences and, in certain cases, differences in build quality, reliability and appointments. While I haven't used a Feather, Pils, iKon, etc it doesn't sound like there are drastic performance differences according to those who have used them. Granted, YMMV. If your basis for comparing cars is only getting from point A to point B then a car is a car is a car. I guess the same could be said of DE's as well but I'm not really seeing such drastic differences. Build quality and material can vary but it doesn't seem like there is quite the performance gap. Guess I'll have to try some of the pricier DE's for myself to find out.

 

[retrolike]

My Fatip out performs almost every DE razor I have. I think one of the best razors money can buy. I had the Feather and will never own one again...Tradere is a keeper for me.

 

[BrookR1]

I have several EJs and a Joris. I use the EJs more because they just work. EJ has several "luxury" models if you want a nicer handle.

 

[demaro]

I have a couple of ej's which work very well. I can get just a good of a shave from one of my many superspeeds.

 

[Predict]

I have merkurs muhles and a feather stainless. The feather feels and looks like a better razor. It doesn't shave any better in fact my r41 is the best shaver I own. But I really enjoy the bbuild quality of my feather and have been using it a lot.

 

[razorx]

Luxury Razor ? Luxury Brushes/Luxury Soap/Luxury Aftershave all can add up to some real money.

What does a Gillette Fusion and 2 years supply of it's blades cost ?

Looking at the larger context puts it in perspective.
A superbly constructed razor will last for generations

 

[bluesbishop]

A Ford or a Ferrari will get you to your destination,an ugly woman or beautiful woman can be a fantastic girlfriend,etc.etc.....etc....etc.

I've found I usually get what I pay for.

I won't even comment on this one brother!!

 

[razorx]

I won't even comment on this one brother!!

Thine selection of of shaving implements and knowledge in the ways of the world are surely those of a man of great wisdom. LOL !

 

[MeanGene]

Owning a Feather Stainless and EJ89, I receive a much better shave than the Feather as the Feather is a much milder shaver in comparison. IMHO, if you get a BBS with a razor and you think it's cool, stay with it.

 

[natchez]

Luxury razors are wants, not needs.

 

[john shea]

I have used the Vision (made of alloy) for about a year and really like the shave that it gives me (I also like the 34G, made of alloy, almost as well).

I started to have corrosion problems with the Vision although I rinsed it very well with hot water without disassembly and shook out the loose water. The problems were occurring in the adjustment mechanism which does not readily take down and where the disassembly button/cap touches the silo door opening knob. It appears that water would drain from inaccessable parts of the razor to the bottom of the handle and remain in the adjustment mechanism.

Taking the Vision down, wiping it and blowing it dry after each use, and reassembling it appears to have stopped this problem. I carefully blow through the handle and around the adjustment knob. I also blow any moisture out of the silo door opening knob and the take down button/cap. This is quick and easy to do, certainly less burdensome than cleaning, stropping, and honing my straights.

Vintage Gillette adjustables are not so particular about maintenance and shave for decades, but they were made from plated brass. How long the Vision holds up remains to be seen. I wish Visions were made of stainless steel or plated brass. They would be worth the added cost to me as I hate a bad looking razor, especially if I caused or could not prevent the problem.