WTB Razorock Barberpole Handle (with older style, coarser knurling)

After a Razorock Barberpole handle with the older style, coarser knurling (before it was updated to a finer style knurling a couple of years ago). I owned (and sold) one with the coarser style knurling, before realizing that the recent ones have a finer knurling (after purchasing a new Barberpole handle). I have a medical condition which makes shaving more difficult, and the super coarse style knurling of the older Barberpole handles was by far the grippiest knurling I'd ever felt, which made shaving easier for me.

I'm located in New Zealand, so you must be willing/able to ship to here. I'll cover the cost, of course.

Here are pictures of the old and new version (if you are unsure which version you have):

https://imgur.com/a/vXRUgJt

 

[catchacoolbreeze]

I think you have it reversed. The older ones have the finer knurling. The newer ones have courser/larger knurling. I have both and am 100% positive this is the case.

 

[Hentrox]

I think you have it reversed. The older ones have the finer knurling. The newer ones have courser/larger knurling. I have both and am 100% positive this is the case.

I emailed Razorock/ItalianBarber about this, and this is the reply from Michael:

"Thanks for your question. A few years ago the handle was definitely a little grippier and after feedback from clients we made it finer and the one currently sold is the finer version. We have been selling the new version for at least a few years now and people seem to like it more than the older version. We had many who thought the knurling on the older version was a bit too coarse which is the reason we changed it slightly to make it finer and less coarse. I understand that you like the coarser version but unfortunately, that one has not been sold for quite a long time."

 

[gpjoe]

That stinks. I have a new version, purchased within the last two years and it is still the most coarse knurling of all my handles.

I won't ask for specifics regarding your medical condition, but have you tried rubbing your hands with alum? It greatly improves grip, though unfortunately not grip strength.

Good luck

 

[catchacoolbreeze]

My friend - perhaps we are using different terms. I will post picture as I am playing with them as we speak. I know for a fact which is new and old. I bought them several years apart and immediately knew the difference because it wasn't what I was expecting.

Left - older version, less grippy.
Right - newer version, more grippy, it also matches the picture on their website.

My point in all this is that, the current one is what you want if you want more grippy and you can buy it directly from them if you want.

 

[Hentrox]

My friend - perhaps we are using different terms. I will post picture as I am playing with them as we speak. I know for a fact which is new and old. I bought them several years apart and immediately knew the difference because it wasn't what I was expecting.

Left - older version, less grippy.
Right - newer version, more grippy, it also matches the picture on their website.

My point in all this is that, the current one is what you want if you want more grippy and you can buy it directly from them if you want. View attachment 1893024

I'll include my original email to Razorock/ItalianBarber to hopefully avoid any ambiguity. As I understand his reply, Michael from Razorock/ItalianBarber is saying that the coarser version is the old version, which was phased out/changed to a finer version a few years ago. Thus, directly contradicting your claim.

My original email to Razorock/ItalianBarber (dated 12th August 2024):

"Hi,

I purchased a second hand razor with a Razorock barber pole handle several months ago. I loved the grippiness of the handle, it was the most grippy handle I'd ever felt, by far. However, I sold the whole razor.

I just purchased (and received) a Razorock barber pole handle from blade.net.au (an Australian retailer). The grip on it is nothing like how it was on the previous barber pole handle I owned. It looks similar, but is infact very different. It is not even remotely as grippy. It looks like the knurling is much finer (more/smaller hills/valleys). Strangely, the first photo on the product page for it on blade.net.au seems to show the version with the much grippier/coarser knurling (less/larger hills/valleys), and then the subsequent photos show the version with the much finer/smaller, less grippy knurling. The photo on the product page on your website is also of the version with coarser, more grippy knurling.

If you're unaware of this difference, compare the first photo (same photo as is on your product page for it) to the subsequent ones here: RazoRock Barber Pole Safety Razor Handle - https://blade.net.au/product/razorock-barber-pole-safety-razor-handle/

I think I'm going to try to return/get a refund from blade.net.au. However, I'm not particularly hopeful (I live in New Zealand).

Are you able to shed any light on the differences between these two apparently different versions of this handle? I.e. is the version with the coarser, more grippy knurling a newer or older version? If it's a newer version, is it the one you currently sell?

Thanks,
Henry"


And then their reply (dated 12th August 2024):

"Henry,

Thanks for your question. A few years ago the handle was definitely a little grippier and after feedback from clients we made it finer and the one currently sold is the finer version. We have been selling the new version for at least a few years now and people seem to like it more than the older version. We had many who thought the knurling on the older version was a bit too coarse which is the reason we changed it slightly to make it finer and less coarse. I understand that you like the coarser version but unfortunately, that one has not been sold for quite a long time.

Thanks for your business and have a great rest of your day.

Kind Regards,

Michael
The RazoRock & ItalianBarber Team"

 

[Hentrox]

That stinks. I have a new version, purchased within the last two years and it is still the most coarse knurling of all my handles.

I won't ask for specifics regarding your medical condition, but have you tried rubbing your hands with alum? It greatly improves grip, though unfortunately not grip strength.

Good luck

Thanks for the idea. I'll give it a go!

 

[catchacoolbreeze]

I am not making a claim. I'm stating a fact.

Here is my v1 on November 8, 2018.

How international were you today?

1) China: Brush Swosh. 2) Israel: Shaving Cream. 3) USA: Razor W3 Black Beauty. 4) Pakistan: Blade Treet Platinum. 5) USA: Cologne Pierre Cardin. 6) China: Alum Block.

www.badgerandblade.com

Here is a member posting he bought a V2 on May 9, 2022 along with other members saying the new version is grippier. Post 19 are his own photos (not stock) of it.

I ordered a Razorock Lupo 72 with the Barber pole handle!

My favorite non-adjustable razor thus far has been the Lupo DE aluminum. It's been my "almost" daily driver! I decided to get the .72mm in stainless steel in since it's heavier and a bit more aggressive/efficient. I believe that it will be an excellent daily razor. My aluminum Lupo will become...

www.badgerandblade.com

If he bought the old version in 2022, how did I get the new version in 2018?

 

[Hentrox]

I am not making a claim. I'm stating a fact.

Here is my v1 on November 8, 2018.

How international were you today?

1) China: Brush Swosh. 2) Israel: Shaving Cream. 3) USA: Razor W3 Black Beauty. 4) Pakistan: Blade Treet Platinum. 5) USA: Cologne Pierre Cardin. 6) China: Alum Block.

www.badgerandblade.com

Here is a member posting he bought a V2 on May 9, 2022 along with other members saying the new version is grippier. Post 19 are his own photos (not stock) of it.

I ordered a Razorock Lupo 72 with the Barber pole handle!

My favorite non-adjustable razor thus far has been the Lupo DE aluminum. It's been my "almost" daily driver! I decided to get the .72mm in stainless steel in since it's heavier and a bit more aggressive/efficient. I believe that it will be an excellent daily razor. My aluminum Lupo will become...

www.badgerandblade.com

If he bought the old version in 2022, how did I get the new version in 2018?

I'll ask Michael about this. When did you buy the Barberpole handle (I assume it was from ItalianBarber, and not a third party retailer) that had the coarser knurling?

 

[WVShaver]

I think there may be 3 versions. I have a BarberPole that is very similar to the V1 above that’s much older then the others. It doesn’t have much grip at all.

And I have a few of the newer type V2 handles but a couple are more grippy then the others even though they look identical. I figure they just kept them in a tumbler to be polished a little smoother or whatever they do to smooth them up.

I also really prefer the extra grip so treasure the extra grippy ones along with my RadioKnob handles. The RadioKnobs don’t have as much grip but the knob just feels great in the hand. It’s a shame I can’t get either one now but the newer BarberPoles aren’t bad. I just hope they didn’t smooth them up even more since my latest ones as they are all at least 2 years old and I had planned on buying a bunch eventually so I don’t have to keep changing razor handle every time I shave.

 

[AlphaFrank75]

Here's a pic of my RR barber pole handle from Oct. '23. It's the grippiest handle I've ever used. This could be used as a wood rasp if you were so inclined.

 

[Shave Souffle]

I’m more confused now than before I read this thread. Never even knew there were different versions. Pretty sure I must have the newer version as I didn’t think it was grippy like a Super Knurl handle is.

 

[Hentrox]

I am not making a claim. I'm stating a fact.

Here is my v1 on November 8, 2018.

How international were you today?

1) China: Brush Swosh. 2) Israel: Shaving Cream. 3) USA: Razor W3 Black Beauty. 4) Pakistan: Blade Treet Platinum. 5) USA: Cologne Pierre Cardin. 6) China: Alum Block.

www.badgerandblade.com

Here is a member posting he bought a V2 on May 9, 2022 along with other members saying the new version is grippier. Post 19 are his own photos (not stock) of it.

I ordered a Razorock Lupo 72 with the Barber pole handle!

My favorite non-adjustable razor thus far has been the Lupo DE aluminum. It's been my "almost" daily driver! I decided to get the .72mm in stainless steel in since it's heavier and a bit more aggressive/efficient. I believe that it will be an excellent daily razor. My aluminum Lupo will become...

www.badgerandblade.com

If he bought the old version in 2022, how did I get the new version in 2018?

I ended up asking Michael anyway. Here is my email and his response:

"After asking around online buy and sell forums someone mentioned that they purchased a Barberpole handle with the finer style knurling in December of 2018 and then purchased a Barberpole handle with the coarser style knurling in March of 2022. I think there was an account of someone else also having purchased one with the coarser style knurling in 2022. How could this have occured?"

Michael's response:

"Thanks for your email. It is definitely possible that they found an older version at some retailers that still had old stock lying around. There was definitely a period of time where some retailers were selling the balance of the older version and some retailers that had sold out of the old version and started selling the new version. This is the only explanation that I can think of. I hope that helps to explain what may have happened."

 

[WhiskerLess]

I am not sure but I hope this would help.

I just acquired a barber pole (left) and HD handle (right) last month on 08 July 2024.
So this is perhaps the most latest BP handle you can get.
Not for sale though, just for your reference.

Knurling is so coarse and sharp that my fiber cloth gets tangled when I try to wipe it dry.

WhiskerLess DE Shaving Journey

If it has cleared customs in Mississauga, you can use the Canada Post tracking number in the USPS tracking tool and it will show you where it is in the US. edited to add: Canada and US Post share tracking numbers, but they usually do not update each other.

www.badgerandblade.com

 

[Hentrox]

I am not sure but I hope this would help.

I just acquired a barber pole (left) and HD handle (right) last month on 08 July 2024.
So this is perhaps the most latest BP handle you can get.
Not for sale though, just for your reference.

Knurling is so coarse and sharp that my fiber cloth gets tangled when I try to wipe it dry.

WhiskerLess DE Shaving Journey

If it has cleared customs in Mississauga, you can use the Canada Post tracking number in the USPS tracking tool and it will show you where it is in the US. edited to add: Canada and US Post share tracking numbers, but they usually do not update each other.

www.badgerandblade.com

The plot thickens!

I have just emailed Michael from Razorock/ItalianBarber again with this new information. We'll see what he says!

 

[gpjoe]

I’m more confused now than before I read this thread.

Me too.

I bought mine in 2022, and would say that my impression falls in line with these opinions:

This could be used as a wood rasp if you were so inclined.

Knurling is so coarse and sharp that my fiber cloth gets tangled when I try to wipe it dry.

 

[catchacoolbreeze]

Seems to me that everyone is saying the same thing but the OP.

 

[Hentrox]

For the sake of the community, here is my latest email exchanges with Michael (co-owner of RazoRock):


Me:

"Another person just commented on my post on badgerandblade.com and linked me their post they made on July 9th 2024, where they had just received a RR GC .68-P with barber pole handle (they stated it was ordered from ItalianBarber.com), and there is a photo too. The photo clearly shows the Barberpole handle is the version with the coarser knurling style. How could this be possible?"

Michael:

"I am not sure about each individual case but I can tell you that we only have 1 style of Barber Pole handles in stock and they are the new style which we have been selling for quite some time. Pictures can often be deceiving as sometimes they can look almost identical unless they are placed side by side."

Me:

"Would you mind taking a photo of the Barberpole handle that you currently sell, and attaching it to your email reply? This should clear up all confusion. It would be greatly appreciated."

Michael:

"See attached photo of the current Barber Pole handles as requested."



At this point, I have no idea what he was talking about in his initial email replies to me (can be read above), and I won't be asking him anymore questions as I don't want to bother him anymore. Looking at the photo he provides in his latest email (attached to this comment), it appears that the 'coarser' knurled version of the barberpole handle is the version that ItalianBarber currently sells. The same version which he seemed to clearly indicate (in earlier replies) was the older version, that they stopped selling years ago.