All of my experience (which isn't much) is with straights. All og my research as well. So I'm wondering, what is it exactly that makes one double edge more expensive than the other? I'm mainly talking about new razors; vintage razors are more pricey for obvious reasons. Are gonna get the same shave from the cheaper models from the respectable brands as you do from their higher end models from the same brand. With the higher end models are you paying for a better shave or just more bells and whistles?
What makes one more expensive than the other
- Thread starter Sig84
- Start date
You basically answered it yourself...besides the bells and whistle part.
Well, when you consider the Merkur or Cadet lines, each company seems to have one safety comb and one open comb head for different handles. (Merkur also offers adjustables; I don't include these.)
I own two Merkurs, 34C and 38C. Same heads but the handles yield different results. And I have one each of the Cadet types. These four are among my prizes.
I own two Merkurs, 34C and 38C. Same heads but the handles yield different results. And I have one each of the Cadet types. These four are among my prizes.
Quality of materials, quality of workmanship, basically .
Price of a DE razor in no way corresponds to performance. Performance of a DE razor is a YMMV thing, but there are some trends that most shavers find applicable to themselves. For example, RazoRock/Cadet DE heads, especially open comb ones are considered by many to be some of the very best DE shavers out there. Razors with those heads cost well under $30, more like $20. If you are only concerned with shave performance chances are you will be very well served by one of those. However, choice and different styles are abundant. RazoRock/Cadet line is made in India and is of acceptable quality, especially considering the price. If you want something more refined then you will spend more money. Also, there are slant heads and adjustable DE razors, which are in the bells and whistles category. I have tried many razors and am now more and more convinced that RazoRock/Cadet open comb is all the DE razor I will ever need. But I still have four others, even after I have sold off/gave away most of my unused razors. I do enjoy the Merkur Progress a lot since it's adjustable and I still have my very first DE, EJ DE89 Barley Chrome (I am not using it and it will probably be given away soon). The other two are vintage Gillette open combs. I think I have arrived as far as DE razors. I get the best shaves from a $20 RazoRock Little Bastone OC and the Progress and vintage Gillettes are close enough. Progress is my most expensive razor and I really love it, but still, to my own chagrin I get better shaves with the RazoRock OC. Go figure. As far as what makes a razor more or less expensive, there are many factors. Country of origin is a big one. Razors made in Germany, England, Japan, US will be considerably more expensive than those made in Inida and China. Materials are also to be considered, but I think the biggest factor is country of origin and labor costs thereof.
