#1

Member
Redwood City
(This post was last modified: 10-03-2017, 09:51 PM by drdeemanda.)
I'm not new to wet shaving but I recently heard about the BBS-1 razor. Is it mostly sought after because of its rarity or is the shave truly remarkable with this razor? If the latter, has anyone decided to make a clone of it? If not, why? Just curious

[edit] - Reason I asked is because I've been seeing lots of merkur futur clones lately on this forum and some of the reddit subs. It's interesting that the knock-off artists chose to rip off a less desirable (still a great razor) and likely more complex razor (from a design, not machining standpoint) to produce


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

WayneJetski and Mickey Oberman like this post
#2
I don't think there is a clone. I don't think there is a patent either, but I would imagine there is not a clone because it's a current production razor, so making a copy probably wouldn't go over very well, in my opinion. Also, part of the appeal is the finish, which would be difficult to replicate.

Michael P, Matsilainen, Standard and 1 others like this post
#3
+1.

Both common and easy to copy a Rolex watch's design (I understand also copy some Wolfman razors).
Very difficult to copy quality, workmanship, value and pride in ownership.

Michael P, Mickey Oberman and GloryUprising like this post
#4

Saving through Spending
If they wanted it to be even 1/2 as nice as a authentic one I doubt they would be able to make any money on it.

Although I will probably never be able to own a BBS-1, I am glad a clone doesn't exist because if the innovators and creators of these products couldn't make their R&D money back and make enough to keep operating our hobby would be stagnate and nowhere near as fun as it is.

Just my .2 cents

Standard and Michael P like this post
#5

Member
AZ, USA
(This post was last modified: 10-03-2017, 06:19 PM by TheHunter.)
I waited 19 months for a BBS-1 and it was definitely worth the wait. I also own two Charcoal Goods (an OC and a SB) , two Wolfman Razors (an OC and a SB), a Timeless .95 OC, a Muhle R41, an Above The Tie OC Slant, an Above The Tie M2, R2, and H2, a Blackland Blackbird SB and OC, and a Wolfman Guerrilla SB. Out of these my BBS-1 is the best shaver I own, and it’s fit and finish are flawless. If I could only choose one Razor this would be my one and only. I wish James from Wolfman could/would make more of these to meet demand, I think a lot of people out there would love the shave.

User 1429, Standard, Michael P and 1 others like this post
Hunter
#6
Bbs-1 would be my daily one and only if I had to chose.... However the polished blackbird really gives it a run for the money.

I think for most people asking for a high end razor, I'd ways steer them to a blackbird. Open vs closed would be subject to hair type.

The bbs-1 only wins by a hair (/pun) due to the slightly larger effective angle.

A standard wolfman would probably be 5th on the list after bbs1, blackbird opened, blackbird closed comb, toggle, wolfman standard.

Matsilainen, Michael P and herbert7890 like this post
-Spencer
#7
The guy that wants to copy it probably can't get his hands on one ?

herbert7890, GloryUprising and Matsilainen like this post
#8

Member
Redwood City
(This post was last modified: 10-03-2017, 09:52 PM by drdeemanda.)
Reason I asked is because I've been seeing lots of merkur futur clones lately on this forum and some of the reddit subs. It's interesting that the knock-off artists chose to rip off a less desirable (still a great razor) and likely more complex razor (from a design, not machining perspective) to produce


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
#9
AFAIK, there are only two Futur clone productions, the newer Ming Shi also having other brandings (like Q-Shave) but produced in the same factory. With todays technology I don't believe there's anything particularly complex about it's production, and the design lends itself to being cast using inexpensive materials, rather obviously given they can be sold at less than $7/piece. Merkur chose not to seek another patent when the 1983 patent expired.

Casting a BBS-1 using cheap materials would not give you a BBS-1 in the same way the Futur clones fairly closely reproduce the original.

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

Michael P, Standard and Matsilainen like this post
#10

Member
Redwood City
(10-03-2017, 10:16 PM)jmudrick Wrote: AFAIK, there are only two Futur clone productions, the newer Ming Shi also having other brandings (like Q-Shave) but produced in the same factory. With todays technology I don't believe there's anything particularly complex about it's production, and the design lends itself to being cast using inexpensive materials, rather obviously given they can be sold at less than $7/piece. Merkur chose not to seek another patent when the 1983 patent expired.

Casting a BBS-1 using cheap materials would not give you a BBS-1 in the same way the Futur clones fairly closely reproduce the original.

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk


Makes sense thanks


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk


Users browsing this thread: 1 Guest(s)