Bubble burst

Based on what I see, most men that come to traditional wet shaving never go back to the cartridge and can. I don't see it as a fad from my vantage point.

Sent from my D6603 using Tapatalk

Based on what I see, most men that come to traditional wet shaving never go back to the cartridge and can. I don't see it as a fad from my vantage point.

Sent from my D6603 using Tapatalk

I'm 5y in now and hope to never have to use an electric again, I never used cartridges. When my kids start shaving, I hope they jump right into DE and go from there.

I have enough hardware to allow them a shot at some items that will last a lifetime. It will be a happy day to hand them over, but also sad if one picks my Stealth and the other my Baby Smooth.

All evidence has been buried. All tapes have been erased.

Based on what I see, most men that come to traditional wet shaving never go back to the cartridge and can. I don't see it as a fad from my vantage point.

Sent from my D6603 using Tapatalk

I'm 5y in now and hope to never have to use an electric again, I never used cartridges. When my kids start shaving, I hope they jump right into DE and go from there.

I have enough hardware to allow them a shot at some items that will last a lifetime. It will be a happy day to hand them over, but also sad if one picks my Stealth and the other my Baby Smooth.

All evidence has been buried. All tapes have been erased.

If that happens, email me

Sent from my D6603 using Tapatalk

I have zero problem with traditional wet shaving becoming mainstream. "Hipsters" don't scare me.
'Wet shaving' to the vast majority of us is not trend related, but born out of necessity. We have learned It works better for us and is far more enjoyable.
Those who turn to wet shaving for trend sake likely wont stick around long enough to make a difference in the market.
If the market grows, everyone benefits. I think if Gillette got back in the traditional shaving business on a grand scale it will only help the community as a whole.
This, however, I don't see happening.

A fellow vendor friend of mine said this once:
"All boats float in a flood"

I have zero problem with traditional wet shaving becoming mainstream. "Hipsters" don't scare me.
'Wet shaving' to the vast majority of us is not trend related, but born out of necessity. We have learned It works better for us and is far more enjoyable.
Those who turn to wet shaving for trend sake likely wont stick around long enough to make a difference in the market.
If the market grows, everyone benefits. I think if Gillette got back in the traditional shaving business on a grand scale it will only help the community as a whole.
This, however, I don't see happening.

A fellow vendor friend of mine said this once:
"All boats float in a flood"

I have a prediction...

Gillette jumps back into the DE shave community, re releases the $1.95 Gillette adjustable, and the world rejoices...

Unfortunately the re released razor costs $999.99

I think there is a saturation point for some aspects of Wet Shaving; artisan soaps/aftershaves, for example. I don't know what it is or when it will come, but there are just so many soaps that will be able to be successfully marketed to the wet shaving community. There are those that have established sterling reputations and likely they will survive an eventual bubble-burst. It's the smaller companies, new to the business or lacking in reputation and advertising dollars that probably will go under. The big-ticket items, razors and brushes will always have the market. Of course they take a much bigger risk. Collector's will always pay top dollar+ for their wants. I have 39 soaps (counted them this morning   ) but only 4 razors and 8 brushes. I used to have more, but the longer I am back in wet shaving, the pickier I have become with every new entrance into the field, because I have found what works best for me. I don't jump when a new soap appears, unless I have experience with the manufacturer. I believe most of us, not all, whittle their dens down and that in itself makes it more challenging for the newcomers.
JMO

I totally disagree. In the cosmetic industry, women's products have dominated sales for years with no end in sight. Wet Shaving is the one area where men have choices and there are alot of unspent dollars out there. The more good products that are available the better and as long as the quality continues to grow and prices stay reasonable, I feel that the market for Men's products will go on with no end in sight.

I remember reading an article in a magazine - it must have been 20-25 years ago - describing how the cosmetic companies were trying to crack the men's market, but to no avail. Traditional wetshaving has been a godsend to them, and they will do everything in their power to grow the market. They can produce high-quality products if the demand for them exists. Increasing competition should keep prices in check.

There are many quality products out there that are ridiculously inexpensive. As with all things, if you want to spend your money for over priced luxury items, there are many companies that would cheerfully take your money. There are far more companies especially in the wet shaving business that are producing excellent products that are just as good as the high ticket items and often times better for a fraction of the cost.

While the high-ticket items have their place, I agree completely that there are products just as good available at a very reasonable cost. Cottage industry operations, small and medium size companies, and even a few multinational giants are introducing products with great value for the money. Like nearly all startups, the artisans seem particularly enthusiastic and passionate about their endeavors. After more than a decade in existence, it is readily apparent that the wetshaving revival is not a passing fad. Bravo!

[font=Trebuchet MS]I think there is a saturation point for some aspects of Wet Shaving; artisan soaps/aftershaves, for example. I don't know what it is or when it will come, but there are just so many soaps that will be able to be successfully marketed to the wet shaving community. There are those that have established sterling reputations and likely they will survive an eventual bubble-burst. It's the smaller companies, new to the business or lacking in reputation and advertising dollars that probably will go under.

Yeah, that is starting to become a problem. There are vast numbers of artisan soapmakers entering the marketplace. Some of them actually make great products, but many others seem to put little effort into their shaving soaps. As you noted, getting the message out is key in determining which excellent soaps are successful and which are not. Unfortunately, this has led to a sharp rise in covert marketing on some forums. Not on this one, because the vendors here can be very open about their presence, discussing their products, and connecting with us wetshavers. Definitely a good and welcome thing! I'm sure glad this place is here.

The Big Boys are already here. I believe that Gillette bought Art of Shaving a year or two ago.  They're hedging their bets.  I think the risk isn't that wet shaving will go away but rather that your favourite soap / aftershave / blade maker gets bought by a big boy and then gets reformulated or otherwise "improved" and its never the same.  Thats why we need to support the little guys, the artisinal makers are out there putting it on the line.  If their stuff is good we should support them.  We should be patient with them too as they don't have some huge factory in China churning out their products so filling orders is sometimes challenging.  We all get along better if we cut one another some slack and don't go flaming on twitter or what have you if there has been an innocent mistake or misunderstanding or just delays due to a one man/woman operation being overwhelmed with orders.  Don't worry be happy - B. McFerrin.  

Hipster Doofus - skinny jeans / uber expensive converse look alike canvas hightop sneakers / T-shirt with obscure and "witty" stuff on it / short leather jacket / messenger bag - leather again uber expensive / bearded (scruffy) / pork pie hat stolen from Charles Mingus but not rockin it as well as he did.  We have nothing to fear from them.  I don't think they're able to breed either.  I apologize if I offended anybody.  Hey, I'm Canadian, apologizing is in our DNA.
Mark

Bubble burst or not, I'm in it for the hobby. Brush making and wetshaving combine two loves for me. So Even if sales fall out from under me and I only make one brush a week, or even one brush a month I'll still be here. I'm happy as long as I'm covering the cost for my hobbies and the cost of taking my wife out to dinner now and then. So, you will still find my brushes amiss all the big manufactures.