#11

Merchant
St. Louis, MO
Black Tie Razor sells handles.

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#12
I considered that question as well wyze0ne and I just figured he was like Walker Texas Ranger or something in that "the eyes of a Ranger are upon you, everything you do he's gonna see."

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#13

Member
Woodstock, VT
(08-18-2017, 01:24 AM)wyze0ne Wrote:
(08-17-2017, 08:39 PM)vtmax Wrote: ...if you purchase from them James at Wolfman has said he will not sell you a Wolfman.

This is one of the most ridiculous things I've ever heard. How is he ever going to know somebody bought something from a specific retailer?


Who knows. A bit dramatic. These aren't Manet paintings hanging at the Louvre. There razor handles.

The car I drive is a copy. I love the Parker Variant and Timeless DE's both direct copies of the Merkur Progress.

Merkur will sell me another Progress no worries at all.

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#14

Merchant
St. Louis, MO
We don't impose limits.

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Shave Sharp, Look Sharp
#15
There are copies of a concept and exact clones of specific product. I have no obsession or desire to buy a Wolfman handle and absolutely no interest in buying a clone.

Back to handles
Triad is another handle - good reviews.
Timeless and other razor shops may offer handles.

I always liked the "factory" handle and head. I will admit to trying a brass Charcoal Goods handle with aluminum head and liked the combo. Both are now back to the original configuration.

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#16
If I had my druthers I'd go with a Triad but I can't get ahold of the owner. I'd also go with a Wolfman handle but I'd run into the same issue.
#17
(This post was last modified: 08-18-2017, 04:56 AM by bakerbarber.)
I really like the Ikon SE. I don't know what it's made of because it's lighter feeling than I'd expect for its size...

Triad is awesome but he doesn't sell them very often. His work is incredible. Great balance, sharp looking designs, cool variety, and excellent finish. I've got a stainless and a titanium he made.

UFO are very very nice too. He's not been offering them often or in stainless that I'm aware of in some time.

Windrose are nice. Very reasonably priced in my opinion. For what they are I think they are a decent value. Side by side with a Wolfman handle though the little things are not hard to spot. Finish is better than say Rockwell but far from flawless.

Stork handles look nice. I don't have one. Just never felt like dealing with the weird website that offered them before they put them on eBay and the b&b panjo page. By the time they were a little easier to order without using Google translate I just had different acquisitions I wanted to throw that kind of money at.

There are a couple machinists on eBay and Etsy that take custom orders. Last month or so there was also a couple of listings from Russia I think that were very unique looking. Something like a grizzly bear with their branding.

Anyone with the right tools and skills who was inclined to spend the time and effort to get the details right could probably make a decent amount of money making nice handles I think. I personally feel like supply of interesting, high quality handles is one of the few niches that isn't currently crowded in our hobby.

It is interesting to me considering the accessibility of such varied brush handles and software like soaps and such that there isn't more demand or supply for custom handles. I may be totally off base but it seems to me like the margins ought to be appealing enough. I had a friend thread and tap a stainless machine bolt for me a few years ago. Took all of a few minutes. Looked pretty nice after he cut the head end off, turned the threaded part smooth, and took the rough edges off.

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Shave yourself.
-Todd
#18

Member
Woodstock, VT
Don't forget the original Ikon Bulldog. I've used the Wolfmans, Triads, Storks but I still really love the 80mm Bulldog. Simple, balanced and works with a lot of different DE heads
Ikon has been quiet of late but they were a big part of this hobby's growth.


On the Bay right now Ikon has the 80mm Bulldog and the rare matte 85mm Bulldog available. Looks like the 2017 models according to Greg. Happy2

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#19
Toby's Triad handles are some of the best out there. He has an Etsy storefront now, but I don't think he does customs any longer, and they go FAST when he posts them. You might also consider Jurgen Hemple. They make some nice handles and you can sometimes find them used. If you like Rustic, I would say go the Charcoal route.

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#20
(This post was last modified: 08-18-2017, 06:52 PM by SCShaver.)
I appreciate the advice from everyone. I'm not certain how to acquire a Triad, does he have a mailing list? I've tried contacting Toby with no dice. gwsmallwood if it is like you say and he does one or two then announces somewhere, it is probably doubtful I'll snag one. the UFO's are overseas correct? From what I gather they too are limited release? I'm beginning to think this might be a lost cause for now and I should just keep my eye open for some up and comer making stainless handles/razors and grab one before they become too popular.

From what I've seen the past day or so, Wolfman, UFO or Triad are my favorite looking handles but they are hard to get. Maybe Timeless will release some new ones soon who knows but at least they seem to be able to have a stable production and lots of in stock razors/handles. As happy as I am with their razor heads, I just find their handles to be fine, same with ATT, they are fine, but they don't blow me away. I probably need to stop looking at SOTD because that is where I keep seeing the beautiful Triad/UFO handles and its causing me to salivate.


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