Its Quiet Out There....Too Quiet?

If I may add one other point to this interesting and important discussion...

When I advocate inducements (like the $20 Karve (NOT “plated” razors...but simple, real, solid quality...even as a loss leader...think quality and inexpensive ink jet printers in order to sell expensive and necessary cartridges—something the multi-blades already are doing))...

...I’m primarily talking about GenX...NOT...younger necessarily.

Although BOTH are cost conscious cohorts, they are for DIFFERENT reasons.

Millennials don’t have much money.

GenX does, but, are already much more BS savvy about how they spend.

The younger cohort males mostly WANT facial hair...because it is symbolic of their budding masculinity. You are NOT going to sell much to them.

But, if you can sway GenX...THEY will influence younger generations below in a way we (as I suspect we are even older) cannot.

Very high quality razors (even at zero margin on key items), and, indefinite reuse (instead of expensive, disposable cartridges) are still the keys to growth...seem to me...

Cheers!

...Millennials don’t have much money.

GenX does, but, are already much more BS savvy about how they spend...

One would think that would be a logical assumption, but from perusing any wet shaving forum there are plenty of ol' geezers spending like drunken sailors in a Third World brothel!! As an example, Karve merely posts a few casual photos on their new prototype OC razor and good Lord you'd think they invented a cure for cancer!!        The GenXer's I know that wet shave are using the original stuff they bought for the most part and are not really into amassing a bunker full of soaps, razors, etc. It's the ol' duffers with lots of disposable income keeping the artisans' kids in college. I'd wager that the vast majority of posters on this forum are on the north side of 50.

Lots of valid points. When see the phrase “shave like your grandpa” I can actually make a connection to thatsince I stood there in the bathroom and watched him shave. Younger kids today had grandparents that had already moved to carts and foam more than likely. Part of why I love this hobby is the sense of connection it gives me to my grandfather and in just being a classic gentleman to begin with. That force and feeling is a strong one that this youngest generation may lack through no fault of there own. Just a timing thing.

...Millennials don’t have much money.

GenX does, but, are already much more BS savvy about how they spend...

One would think that would be a logical assumption, but from perusing any wet shaving forum there are plenty of ol' geezers spending like drunken sailors in a Third World brothel!! As an example, Karve merely posts a few casual photos on their new prototype OC razor and good Lord you'd think they invented a cure for cancer!!        The GenXer's I know that wet shave are using the original stuff they bought for the most part and are not really into amassing a bunker full of soaps, razors, etc. It's the ol' duffers with lots of disposable income keeping the artisans' kids in college. I'd wager that the vast majority of posters on this forum are on the north side of 50.  

I guess I'm a geezer having just turned 59, however , I like to think that I spend my hard earned money a little more carefully than you suggest, maybe like a slightly tipsy sailor? Kidding aside, I think it just comes down to pure numbers. I was born in 1960, that was the biggest demographic cohort of the Baby Boom and the Boom was over by 1963. There are just a ton of us out there right now entering retirement, hopefully with enough savings to get us to that final reward. Our major assets are bought and paid for and our kids have been raised and educated. Its me time now. While I haven't bought any hardware since buying the Rockwell 6s, I have an impressive software collection and more brushes than anyone needs. Its fun, an indulgence.

Now with subsequent generations, first, theres just not as many of them and second, they're still looking at some major expenditures so buying a lot of high end shaving supplies isn't high on their list. They should be looking at wet shaving for its potential cost savings - yes its possible with discipline!

Its funny, we all have to live in our own time and it always seems that those he came before us had it made. Like I said above, being born in 1960 as the biggest demographic in the boom, there was fierce competition for everything, homes, jobs, vehicles, schools you name it. When it was time to acquire a major asset like a home those born earlier in the boom were there first, bought them all and drove the prices up, same with recreational properties, cars. Let me tell you getting that first job was tough then you find that your boss is only 5 years older than you and he's not retiring until you're over 60 at which time the company passes you over because you're too old and only going to be around for another 5 years tops. I'm saying all this not to bitch and whine (well maybe a little) but in response to the millennials and Gen X saying that us old geezers have it made and we ruined it for them. Fact - those that were born before you will always appear to have it made. Advice - unless you have a time machine, accept it and make the most of it.

Millennial checking in here (32 years old). This generation is now often defined as the birth years 1981-1996 (22-38 years old). It doesn't make a lot of sense to me to try to create a strategy to appeal to such a wide-ranging group. The purchasing habits of a 38 year old are a whole lot different than a 22 year old, regardless of whether or not they are labeled as being in the same generation.

Millennial checking in here (32 years old). This generation is now often defined as the birth years 1981-1996 (22-38 years old). It doesn't make a lot of sense to me to try to create a strategy to appeal to such a wide-ranging group. The purchasing habits of a 38 year old are a whole lot different than a 22 year old, regardless of whether or not they are labeled as being in the same generation.

Exactly - there is so much variation. I used to laugh when I got lumped into the Boomers generation - like I had anything in common with people born 5 years before me let alone 15 years. We're all just trying to do our best with the cards we're dealt. One thing we do have in common is the morning shave and regardless of your age or nominal "generation", we all enjoy a decent shave and, I like to think, we can all distinguish a bad shave from a good shave. The trick is to convince the majority of shaving age men that they can very easily improve their shave and, if they really want to, can even save money without compromising the experience. If a viral advertising campaign like "the world's most interesting man" addressed wet shaving that could go a long way, although from what I've seen lately we shouldn't count on Gillette to lead the charge on that one.

Good points, Marko. It could help if a major company with a modern brand and availability at large retailers offers wet shaving products.

If Bevel lands at Target after the P&G acquisition or if Harry’s offers a brush and lathering cream, that could nudge people into this world. Neither of those is inconceivable.

As it stands, a lot of people I know start on Amazon. It’s not surprising they don’t stick with it after suffering through some of the “top rated” or “best-selling” products there.

...Millennials don’t have much money.

GenX does, but, are already much more BS savvy about how they spend...

One would think that would be a logical assumption, but from perusing any wet shaving forum there are plenty of ol' geezers spending like drunken sailors in a Third World brothel!! As an example, Karve merely posts a few casual photos on their new prototype OC razor and good Lord you'd think they invented a cure for cancer!!        The GenXer's I know that wet shave are using the original stuff they bought for the most part and are not really into amassing a bunker full of soaps, razors, etc. It's the ol' duffers with lots of disposable income keeping the artisans' kids in college. I'd wager that the vast majority of posters on this forum are on the north side of 50.  

I guess I'm a geezer having just turned 59, however , I like to think that I spend my hard earned money a little more carefully than you suggest, maybe like a slightly tipsy sailor? Kidding aside, I think it just comes down to pure numbers. I was born in 1960, that was the biggest demographic cohort of the Baby Boom and the Boom was over by 1963. There are just a ton of us out there right now entering retirement, hopefully with enough savings to get us to that final reward. Our major assets are bought and paid for and our kids have been raised and educated. Its me time now. While I haven't bought any hardware since buying the Rockwell 6s, I have an impressive software collection and more brushes than anyone needs. Its fun, an indulgence.

Now with subsequent generations, first, theres just not as many of them and second, they're still looking at some major expenditures so buying a lot of high end shaving supplies isn't high on their list. They should be looking at wet shaving for its potential cost savings - yes its possible with discipline!

Its funny, we all have to live in our own time and it always seems that those he came before us had it made. Like I said above, being born in 1960 as the biggest demographic in the boom, there was fierce competition for everything, homes, jobs, vehicles, schools you name it. When it was time to acquire a major asset like a home those born earlier in the boom were there first, bought them all and drove the prices up, same with recreational properties, cars. Let me tell you getting that first job was tough then you find that your boss is only 5 years older than you and he's not retiring until you're over 60 at which time the company passes you over because you're too old and only going to be around for another 5 years tops. I'm saying all this not to bitch and whine (well maybe a little) but in response to the millennials and Gen X saying that us old geezers have it made and we ruined it for them. Fact - those that were born before you will always appear to have it made. Advice - unless you have a time machine, accept it and make the most of it.

I'm just a few years older than you, Marko, but I'm very sensitive to the fact that the younger generations are the first in the history of our nation that can expect to be less well off than their parents. To me, as a parent, that is nothing short of horribly depressing. Five years of gap along the baby-boomer spectrum holds no candle to the fundamental, infrastructural, systemic tragedy that we and our seniors have bestowed on our children and grandchildren.

Nonetheless, I have tremendous hope and faith that the youngsters will right the ship. Even if they all become hipsters with beards to avoid the cost of shaving. (God forbid.)

One would think that would be a logical assumption, but from perusing any wet shaving forum there are plenty of ol' geezers spending like drunken sailors in a Third World brothel!! As an example, Karve merely posts a few casual photos on their new prototype OC razor and good Lord you'd think they invented a cure for cancer!!        The GenXer's I know that wet shave are using the original stuff they bought for the most part and are not really into amassing a bunker full of soaps, razors, etc. It's the ol' duffers with lots of disposable income keeping the artisans' kids in college. I'd wager that the vast majority of posters on this forum are on the north side of 50.  

I guess I'm a geezer having just turned 59, however , I like to think that I spend my hard earned money a little more carefully than you suggest, maybe like a slightly tipsy sailor?   Kidding aside, I think it just comes down to pure numbers.  I was born in 1960, that was the biggest demographic cohort of the Baby Boom and the Boom was over by 1963.  There are just a ton of us out there right now entering retirement, hopefully with enough savings to get us to that final reward.  Our major assets are bought and paid for and our kids have been raised and educated.  Its me time now.  While I haven't bought any hardware since buying the Rockwell 6s, I have an impressive software collection and more brushes than anyone needs.  Its fun, an indulgence.  

Now with subsequent generations, first, theres just not as many of them and second, they're still looking at some major expenditures so buying a lot of high end shaving supplies isn't high on their list.  They should be looking at wet shaving for its potential cost savings - yes its possible with discipline!

Its funny, we all have to live in our own time and it always seems that those he came before us had it made.  Like I said above, being born in 1960 as the biggest demographic in the boom, there was fierce competition for everything, homes, jobs, vehicles, schools you name it.  When it was time to acquire a major asset like a home those born earlier in the boom were there first, bought them all and drove the prices up, same with recreational properties, cars.  Let me tell you getting that first job was tough then you find that your boss is only 5 years older than you and he's not retiring until you're over 60 at which time the company passes you over because you're too old and only going to be around for another 5 years tops.   I'm saying all this not to bitch and whine (well maybe a little) but in response to the millennials and Gen X saying that us old geezers have it made and we ruined it for them.  Fact - those that were born before you will always appear to have it made.  Advice - unless you have a time machine, accept it and make the most of it.

I'm just a few years older than you, Marko, but I'm very sensitive to the fact that the younger generations are the first in the history of our nation that can expect to be less well off than their parents. To me, as a parent, that is nothing short of horribly depressing. Five years of gap along the baby-boomer spectrum holds no candle to the fundamental, infrastructural, systemic tragedy that we and our seniors have bestowed on our children and grandchildren.

Nonetheless, I have tremendous hope and faith that the youngsters will right the ship. Even if they all become hipsters with beards to avoid the cost of shaving. (God forbid.)

I hear you, I have kids too and they have to work harder for less than I did to be sure. But the reality of the situation is first, that our generation didn't intend all the problems you refer to. We were just doing our best to play the cards we were dealt. Second, there is nothing that the younger generations can do about it other than work hard, do their best and try to buck that prediction. Great challenges provide great opportunities. What a gift that is right? I look at people of the "greatest generation" who faced unimaginable evil and hardship and fought for our freedom. Countless heroes and pillars of our nations were forged in that crucible. Would they have become so without the challenges afford them by the evils of the 20th century? There are more challenges now than I've seen in a long time and I have faith and confidence that the younger generations will rise to the challenges and distinguish themselves. I envy them. Too much comfort softens the body and corrupts the character, bring on the hardships! As an aside, when Genghis Kahn conquered Bejing, he wouldn't allow any of his warriors to remain in the city for more than 6 months because it made them soft and corrupt and ruined them as warriors. We've been in the city a long time.

Good point Watson , Amazon occasionally has good stuff for good price if you know what you're looking for but I suspect that lots of people who got stuff from amazon based on their questionable review system quite likely tried it, found it awful and went back to cartridge and foam.

I think one of the best ways to get started in wet shaving is to look around online at forums and on Youtube. There is a wealth of useful information. If you checked out discussions of favourite products and selected those that seemed to consistently get mentioned by the most people you likely couldn't go wrong. Starting with the right razor is very important. I had used brush and soap + cart for a couple of years before trying DE and then I tried some awfully aggressive merkur (can't remember which one) and after a couple of weeks of trying my face was so red and sore that I went back to carts for about a year until my then 17 year old son shamed me into trying DE again. The second time I did some research and found that the EJ DE-89 was widely considered a good choice for a novice. I bought one with a blade sampler and found that it was a much better experience than the first time around and I've been a DE shaver since. I've tried other razors and now use a Rockwell 6s as my daily razor but I certainly could have been content with the DE-89. Excellent head design.