Expensive razors

Thanks for the answers! Yah I had a feeling it would come down to personal preference and what the buyer deems appropriate for pricing. I will agree that some of the more $$$ razors look really nice!

I would love to have a $200 ATT razor. I will have to settle for my $6 cased Gillette Slim.

As others have said, no one can tell you whether it is worth it or not. You really have to make that decision for yourself. The craftsmanship, quality, precision, and love put into these high-end stainless steel razors (ATT, Wolfman) is second to none. They are works of art as much as they are tools for shaving. I have an ATT Atlas with an R1 plate, and it is my daily razor. It is smooth, the blade seats in it well with no uneven exposure, it has a nice heft, and it looks nice, too. I do believe in the saying "you get what you pay for," though.

I'm a stickler for materials, but I'm also broke, so I have a bunch of cheap Gillettes and Gems rather than modern stainless razors. If I were to get a modern razor in the future, I would probably get a stainless steel razor that would last until long after I'm dead. $50 pot metal razors obviously have their merits, and I believe they are priced fairly, I just hate knowing I'm using something that could crumble 3 weeks after it gets dropped or knocked against the sink.

The reason we have so many razors and so many options is because it's 2015 and we get to do that in this day and age. I don't think there were enough manufacturing capabilities, or even enough interest, for there to be a bunch of options like today. Now we can fill online shopping carts with razors, soaps, aftershaves, blades, and even t-shirts representing what we like to shave with.

Lastly, I think we're all aware that this is all unnecessary. We're enjoying it. We wanna know what that heavy slab of stainless steel feels like in the hand. Realistically though, you could look at an 18 year cross section of American history (I'm thinking 1940 - 1958) and see that millions and millions of men had few options besides the Gillette Tech, some TTO models, some Gem SE models, and Schick Injectors to choose from. That was mostly it for safety razors. None of those razors weighed more than about 60g, and most all of them were quite mild shavers. Did all those men get inferior shaves for all those years? Of course they didn't... But of course we're going to enjoy the fact that we get to have more options.

Can someone please explain why some companies charge so much for DE razors? Some vendors are selling DE razors for well over $200! I'm looking for of an explanation as to what makes these razors better? Do they use better materials? Are the products better quality? Will a $200 razor necessarily be better then a cheap razor?
I know that this reasoning is flawed and it has been proven wrong for most products including soaps, cream, AS...etc, but what about razors? I've only ever used two razors: a EJ de89 and a Parker 22c. Thanks!

More expensive is generally not better but for a few exceptions. I just used a Phoenix Artisan "The Phoenix" double open comb razor which was $34.95 and is the best performing razor that I have owned except for my Ikon Shavecraft #102 Slant which is more efficient. I have owned the Merkur Vision 2000 at $200 and the Futur at $90 which were not as good as this one. That being said, some of the pricier razors such as Feather, Above the Tie, Pils etc. are beautifully made with very tight tolerances and clean fit and finish and that costs money to produce. Do these razors perform 5 times as good as the phoenix? I sincerely doubt it. If you are just starting out, save your money or spend it somewhere else.

---

Hi Everyone,

I had to share this. I just got an email that I have been waiting for months from Mongoose Razor. I did not even hesitate and ordered one for $169.00. This is one of the exceptions. First off, it is beautifully engineered and the finish is near perfect. Add to that scarcity and you have a must have. I have heard that they are excellent shavers. Can't Wait!

Do people need the newest razor? Probably not, but people line up for blocks for the newest iPhone even though it does only a few things better than the previous one. I eventually hit a saturation point where I had many different types that I could shave with and that's good enough for me.

You do not need to pay $50 or more for any razor. There are so many options out there. Plus its all about technique, prep as well as finding that go to blade. In the end its about enjoying your zen shave. Any $200 + razor won't make a difference because your stubble will inevitably grow back.

You do not need to pay $50 or more for any razor. There are so many options out there. Plus its all about technique, prep as well as finding that go to blade. In the end its about enjoying your zen shave. Any $200 + razor won't make a difference because your stubble will inevitably grow back.

The only reason you would do that is if you are wanting an heirloom.  Razor made of Zamak fail eventually. Another reason is craftsmanship. ATT and Wolfman are really well constructed.

You do not need to pay $50 or more for any razor. There are so many options out there. Plus its all about technique, prep as well as finding that go to blade. In the end its about enjoying your zen shave. Any $200 + razor won't make a difference because your stubble will inevitably grow back.

The only reason you would do that is if you are wanting an heirloom.  Razor made of Zamak fail eventually.  Another reason is craftsmanship.  ATT and Wolfman are really well constructed.

For an heirloom I understand and you want to pass it down. I hope your not offended as I am not trying to put down the quality of the material or craftsmanship for a well made razors. I was just giving my opinion in regards to anybody whose just starting out wet shaving.

You do not need to pay $50 or more for any razor. There are so many options out there. Plus its all about technique, prep as well as finding that go to blade. In the end its about enjoying your zen shave. Any $200 + razor won't make a difference because your stubble will inevitably grow back.

The only reason you would do that is if you are wanting an heirloom.  Razor made of Zamak fail eventually.  Another reason is craftsmanship.  ATT and Wolfman are really well constructed.

For an heirloom I understand and you want to pass it down. I hope your not offended as I am not trying to put down the quality of the material or craftsmanship for a well made razors. I was just giving my opinion in regards to anybody whose just starting out wet shaving.

Not offended at all, and all of mine are under $50 except one.  

---

The only reason you would do that is if you are wanting an heirloom.

People also like to show them off in SOTD pics and social media outlets.  Sometimes I see pics of stuff and it doesn't even looked used or lathered.  It draws more ooooohhhh's and aaahhhhhh's then a $35 EJ or Tech and pads the ego.  I've seen many people go so far, as to start a thread on their item, then sell it a week later.  Happens all the time.

I'm not saying that is the only reason, but for some it may be...not me.  Most of my razors are $50 or under, many under $15 and will last a lifetime and be able to be passed down.

Social media and any outlet to show them off, has a HUGE influence on what some will spend on an item.

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

Agreed.