Analyzing The Wet Shaving Market In 2019

..Higher priced items have taken the biggest plunge so far this year (example: Wolfman razors selling for $1000 are now selling for $450-$500). The reasoning behind this is simple: The collectors who created these trends are either losing interest or have everything they need...

We can only hope.  


More here:


https://sharpologist.com/2019/08/analyzi...-2019.html

Thanks for starting the thread BPman.   This should be interesting.

I don't follow Wolfman prices on Facebook or Reddit. But if large gap WR1/WR2s with mirror polish are selling for $450-$500, I'm in. With recent price increases that price range is below MSRP. I'd be interested to know if that tidbit is accurate. I'll open an account and buy a few backups, if it is.

Not sure I would agree the excitement of high end gear has slowed, either. I spose it would depend on the definition of high end. Timeless, Blackland, Charcoal Goods, all seem to be doing well. It looks like we may see the Janus launch. The Tradere is coming back. Lots of examples of $200+ razors coming out that folks seem kinda stoked to get their mitts on.

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I can't remember the last time I even saw a Rockwell thread. A year or so back they were the bee's knees on forums and now................practically silence. Standard Razors = dead. Countless others as well, especially the AC razors that were sprouting like mushrooms. Yes, the market has made adjustments. If Wolfman was readily available the same would apply most likely. The market is far too fickle & small for any mainstream co. to jump in head first, so we benefit from the multitude of artisans trying to be the next big thing.

There has been many new companies with great new products (Carbon Shaving and other razors for example). Blackland has done a good job to introduce new products and stay current. Even Edwin Jagger introduced a new SS razor. Rockwell tried but failed with the Model T to be mainstream with another razor.

The "next big thing" always pushes last years products to the back of the shave den. Without new products or ideas, the company will have reduced sales and visibility.

...The "next big thing" always pushes last years products to the back of the shave den.  Without new products or ideas, the company will have reduced sales and visibility.

I was just pondering this as B&M is doing another "christening" via Maggard for new soaps. It seems that the winners in this market seem to follow the "Out of sight, out of mind" philosophy and who could blame them when many are like this for something new:

..Higher priced items have taken the biggest plunge so far this year (example: Wolfman razors selling for $1000 are now selling for $450-$500). The reasoning behind this is simple: The collectors who created these trends are either losing interest or have everything they need...

Or their wives put their feet down and stopped that ridiculous nonsense. Spending ludicrous sums of money to beat everyone else out and get the prize? That is just a power trip, and has everything to do with control issues and nothing to do with shaving. The same thing happened a few years ago with Gillette Toggle razors. I can't believe anyone in their right mind would spend $1000 on a razor unless it was made from solid sterling silver or gold and ivory.

More here:

https://sharpologist.com/2019/08/analyzi...-2019.html

Simply put, the marketplace for this niche hobby is maturing and continuing to evolve. There are so many $60 or less razors that are very good indeed. Ten years ago, the number was far fewer. Perhaps the biggest factor is the large number of men who now sport beards rather then being clean shaven.

Good article by Sharpologist.  Whether you agree with him or not, he's always interesting and pretty well informed apart from his "best of "year"" lists where he often mentions products that I've never even heard of and completely ignores literally all of my favourites!! I guess his milage often varies significantly from mine 

I would agree that the wet shaving market is, if not maturing then at least changing from how things were over the past five or six years.  Thats all I can comment on because that's how long I've been doing this.  I recall the storefront breaking releases of Hallows and the very real anger vented by many who weren't able to get the products they wanted.  I also remember being able to buy those new releases without any difficulty whatsoever as well as being able to send James an email , getting on his list, discussing what I wanted and having a Wolfman razor delivered in a few months.  Then things blew up.  Initially I wanted to try everything but that was unsustainable.  I then decided I'd buy new releases only from artisans I really like but that also has proven unsustainable.  I've accepted that not only can I not have everything, I actually don't want everything.  I become crushed under the weight of stuff.  I used to begin the day with a cup of coffee while browsing new arrivals and release schedules.  Every day.  Now I rarely look at that stuff.  There's a den clearing a coming that I know.

The hardware side is interesting - some of the old guard have vanished.  Anyone bought an Ikon razor lately?  They were hot once.  Still, they made some decent razors.  Same goes for Above The Tie.  As far as Rockwell is concerned, there may not be much discussion but for me its still my daily driver.  Very good razor and the one that led me to putting the brakes on further acquisitions.  I see no need anymore.  I've also bought too many supposedly game changing razors that were more hype than change.  

I'm still curious where the market will go next.

...I'm still curious where the market will go next.

Let me make a Farmer's Almanacesque type guess:  we may see a big push to artisan soaps that cost far less as the market is now "eating itself". B&M "kissed" the $28 mark with their latest intro and I see/hear many stating "Whoa!!". Latha "resurrection" coming? 

Let me make a Farmer's Almanacesque type guess:  we may see a big push to artisan soaps that cost far less as the market is now "eating itself". B&M "kissed" the $28 mark with their latest intro and I see/hear many stating "Whoa!!". Latha "resurrection" coming? 

Mystic Water soap is already there and has been there for the past nine years, or so. You can still get a 4 oz puck for $11.32.