High-end or nothing?

My first and cheapest razor (34c) is still my favourite and best and I don't think any amount of money will change that, especially since I've had it for over a decade now and have it mastered more or less. It's still cool to try the new razors especially the machined razors being released by more and more companies.

Well they are in financial trouble and may go bankrupt, but maybe Merkur will be scooped up by another company.  If you like yours that much I would grab another.

Well they are in financial trouble and may go bankrupt, but maybe Merkur will be scooped up by another company.

No.
https://damnfineshave.com/thread-dovo-merkur-bankrupt

We need to encourage more participation in the forum but in a positive manner by creating the right atmosphere and that's what Nikos was trying to point in his post.

He criticized overpriced stuff and got banned for slaughtering sacred cows. One must not criticize the stainless god, young Jedi. I did not agree with everything he said, or the way he said it, but he was right about the razor elitism. Banning him was an overreaction, is likely to do more harm than good IMHO. I think refuting disputed points with words would have worked better than the ban hammer.

I still think a Viking's Blade Chieftain is way cooler and looks better than any stainless razor.

I don't want to stir the pot here but I'm sure that those members who have frequented other forums are aware that bans are not as common on DFS as on some other forums.  On DFS bans are really a last resort (except in the case of blatant trolls when its the first resort) and they only happen after significant offline communication with the member and discussion among the Mod Team.  Its not a knee jerk reaction and its only done after consideration of the factors involved and the member's own inclinations.  We think its better for the overall tone of the forum that discussions between the Mod Team and members be kept private even though we are aware that it sometimes outwardly appears that nothing has been done in cases of misbehaviour.  I guess you have to trust that things are being handled appropriately. Personal attacks are not tolerated. And yes, we do take past conduct into consideration.  I think we can always do better and we strive to do that but at the end of the day its up to all of the members whether we have a respectful, functional forum or not.

We need to encourage more participation in the forum but in a positive manner by creating the right atmosphere and that's what Nikos was trying to point in his post.

He criticized overpriced stuff and got banned for slaughtering sacred cows.  One must not criticize the stainless god, young Jedi.  I did not agree with everything he said, or the way he said it, but he was right about the razor elitism.  Banning him was an overreaction, is likely to do more  harm than good IMHO.  I think refuting disputed points with words would have worked better than the ban hammer.

I still think a Viking's Blade Chieftain is way cooler and looks better than any stainless razor.

we don't ban people for simply criticizing shaving items.....

I have no idea if SOTD represents people's daily shavers or not, but I for one am not interested in seeing peoples' cheap shaving kit.  I enjoy the beauty and the artistry of the SOTD posts.

 Ha! I never thought about it this way, but it's very true. I never post on the SOTD, but I do check it out to see nice razors and cool brushes, not to see Edwin Jagger/Merkur razors haha.

I find these statements somewhat harsh.  SOTD is there to see what everyone is using, in my opinion.  Some don't include photos or descriptions yet each of those posts adds to what wet shaving is all about, in my opinion.  I'm sorry you don't like my crappy photos (and I admit they are awful) or my inexpensive gear.  However, maybe some member may look into a piece of kit because I posted it. 

We have some incredible photographers with some exceptionally beautiful gear but I don't believe price should always come into it.  Enjoy the photographic eye candy, whether it's showing something you cannot afford or something you have no interest in.  Enjoy it for what it is.

Well said, Freddy.
My SOTD photos are plebeian, at best, but I get a great deal of enjoyment sharing my shaves. I love the beautiful photos as much as the next shaver, but it's the interaction that occurs what I find most appealing.

I have no idea if SOTD represents people's daily shavers or not, but I for one am not interested in seeing peoples' cheap shaving kit.  I enjoy the beauty and the artistry of the SOTD posts.

I have no idea if SOTD represents people's daily shavers or not, but I for one am not interested in seeing peoples' cheap shaving kit.  I enjoy the beauty and the artistry of the SOTD posts.

 Ha! I never thought about it this way, but it's very true. I never post on the SOTD, but I do check it out to see nice razors and cool brushes, not to see Edwin Jagger/Merkur razors haha.

Don't agree with these statements. A nicely composed photograph can be appreciated, whether the subject is a Wolfman or a Merkur. If the SOTD threads were only open to those with the high-end gear, I would have to bow out. My SOTD today featured a $30 razor, a $10 puck of Williams (retailed $.29) and a bottle of Clubman Special Reserve. It doesn't get much cheaper than that.

I have no idea if SOTD represents people's daily shavers or not, but I for one am not interested in seeing peoples' cheap shaving kit.  I enjoy the beauty and the artistry of the SOTD posts.

I have no idea if SOTD represents people's daily shavers or not, but I for one am not interested in seeing peoples' cheap shaving kit.  I enjoy the beauty and the artistry of the SOTD posts.

 Ha! I never thought about it this way, but it's very true. I never post on the SOTD, but I do check it out to see nice razors and cool brushes, not to see Edwin Jagger/Merkur razors haha.

Don't agree with these statements. A nicely composed photograph can be appreciated, whether the subject is a Wolfman or a Merkur. If the SOTD threads were only open to those with the high-end gear, I would have to bow out. My SOTD today featured a $30 razor, a $10 puck of Williams (retailed $.29) and a bottle of Clubman Special Reserve. It doesn't get much cheaper than that.

I'm glad somebody likes that stuff (the Clubman SR).

So, I got a pm from a mod, no need to name him, saying that if I ever bait a person again, because I've done that again in the past, I will get banned and that I don't have the right to criticize a person who is a mod because as I said I could never be one, I don't have the forbearance (not my word) to be one.

"You have done this type of thing in the past and even admit you could not be a moderator because of your temper ("If I were a mod, I'd never be one because I lose my temper easily..."). Therefore, you have no right to criticize someone who shows much more forbearance than you seem to be capable of.

where did it say you can't disagree with a mod?

I used the word criticize, the same is used in the pm I got. I don't have the right to do so because I said I could never be a mod due to what I said about my temper.

I didn't use the word disagree.

Last time I checked, "Criticize" and "Disagree" have completely different meanings.

I was "high end or nothing" until I tried the Game Changer. I know that $55 could be considered "high end" to some, but not when compared to all my other $200-$300+ razors. My three "go-to" razors at the moment are my GC .84, Timeless .95, and my Wolfman 1.25. Not necessarily in that order, but I love them all equally. I don't seem to be a snob towards the rest of my gear, i.e. a $14 boar brush, Arko soap, and Astra SP blades. Go figure.