#261

Just Here for the Shaves
Williamsburg, KY
(07-11-2023, 01:02 PM)Moriarty Wrote: I’m glad you were able to get an Athena, Dave. The head design with the slotted safety bar and the blade being clamped on top of the spines is quite a different approach from other razors. It seems to work by slicing as the hair falls into the slots. It works out to be surprisingly efficient but since the design doesn’t require any blade exposure and very little blade gap it is very gentle to the skin (although the gap is effectively variable because of the slots). Nobody ever believes that a razor with zero blade exposure and (nominally) just 0.3mm blade gap could be as efficient as this is. There’s actually very high efficiency possible with this razor once you find the optimal angle (as you say, the sweet spot is fairly narrow but I find the sound from the razor gives a good indication - go for the angle where the sound is loudest). I wonder if the water channels in the head serve to amplify the sound, since there’s a lot of aural feedback even though the blade is highly curved and clamped right at the edge.

At least that’s how I think it all works. It’s a fascinating razor design to me.

I suggest you hang on to this one. To my mind it is unique and ingenious, but also manufactured to an extremely high standard, yet still offered at a price only a fraction of what comparable quality razors are selling for (especially if you consider what the mahogany box must cost).
I agree completely with your assessment of the razor and that's why I wanted to get one. I feel you described it well with it being unique and ingenious. Thanks and have a great day!

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This post by Dave in KY mentions views and opinions expressed and makes it known that they are "those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of DFS or any other member, agency, organization, employer or company."  Big Grin
#262

Member
Illinois
(07-11-2023, 03:32 PM)Tester28 Wrote: We keep banging on and on about how low this razor is priced...it's almost like we want to dare the guy to raise prices,
and prose like this gives him permission to do it. These guys do read this forum you know...even in Turkey and Greece.
Why do we keep doing this to ourselves? Is this some strategy to raise the value of a razor acquired for relatively
less, so as to increase the resale value for those who purchased before any price increase?
Hmmm....I wonder (with my tinfoil hat on, of course)

Just my opinion...carry on..

I would never entertain this razor, the Ares V2, or any of the Chiseled Face razors because they force you to take the gawdy and imo, unnecessary boxes the razors come in!! They should give you the option to purchase the razor without the box at a discounted price... I'd also add they should offer a head only option as well because the handles on the Athena and CF razors are ugly as sin, but as they say beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but to me they're ugly!!

Tester28, Rebus Knebus, Frl2 and 2 others like this post
#263
(07-11-2023, 03:32 PM)Tester28 Wrote: We keep banging on and on about how low this razor is priced...it's almost like we want to dare the guy to raise prices,
and prose like this gives him permission to do it. These guys do read this forum you know...even in Turkey and Greece.
Why do we keep doing this to ourselves? Is this some strategy to raise the value of a razor acquired for relatively
less, so as to increase the resale value for those who purchased before any price increase?
Hmmm....I wonder (with my tinfoil hat on, of course)

Just my opinion...carry on..

He doesn't need anyone's permission to raise prices. But given what's on the market that I've held, it's underpriced and I give zero effs about the secondary market. Just my opinion.

I may be mistaken but I think I remember reading some negative opinions (maybe not you personally) about the new Sailor hybrid being offered at $300 vs the $900 for the MC. Questioning the motives.

The good part about it all is that no bank accounts are being held against their will. I get its fun to chat about tho and kinda the point of the forum...but no one is forced to buy.

Sent from my SM-N986U using Tapatalk

TheHunter and Frl2 like this post
#264
(07-12-2023, 01:51 AM)muzichead Wrote:
(07-11-2023, 03:32 PM)Tester28 Wrote: We keep banging on and on about how low this razor is priced...it's almost like we want to dare the guy to raise prices,
and prose like this gives him permission to do it. These guys do read this forum you know...even in Turkey and Greece.
Why do we keep doing this to ourselves? Is this some strategy to raise the value of a razor acquired for relatively
less, so as to increase the resale value for those who purchased before any price increase?
Hmmm....I wonder (with my tinfoil hat on, of course)

Just my opinion...carry on..

I would never entertain this razor, the Ares V2, or any of the Chiseled Face razors because they force you to take the gawdy and imo, unnecessary boxes the razors come in!! They should give you the option to purchase the razor without the box at a discounted price... I'd also add they should offer a head only option as well because the handles on the Athena and CF razors are ugly as sin, but as they say beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but to me they're ugly!!
Yous thinking about it all wrong friend Smile

Based on costs of some other brands, $200 for a head is not unheard of, no? Buy the razor, send me the handle and the box, I'll give you $50 for it. You get a great head, I get an ugly handle and a useless box!

Seems kinda backwards to throw the baby out with the bathwater. What am I missing, friend?



Sent from my SM-N986U using Tapatalk

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#265

Living on the edge
(This post was last modified: 07-12-2023, 08:21 AM by Tester28.)
(07-12-2023, 03:18 AM)LOOT Wrote: He doesn't need anyone's permission to raise prices. But given what's on the market that I've held, it's underpriced and I give
zero effs about the secondary market. Just my opinion.

I may be mistaken but I think I remember reading some negative opinions (maybe not you personally) about the new Sailor
hybrid being offered at $300 vs the $900 for the MC. Questioning the motives.

OMG its so cheap, he could sell it for three times as much and people would buy.
It costs a fraction of what it should be selling for!
I can't believe how he sells it so cheap.
Etc. etc. etc.

While manufacturers don't need permission to raise prices, this kind of flattery
empowers them to do so....it's kind of like...a dogwhistle of sorts. Human nature
to take cues like that to validate price increases. (Oh, consumers won't mind
they think it's grossly underpriced to begin with.)

If people said: hey, it's decent value but I wouldn't pay more, a seller would likely think twice about
increasing prices. Wonder why guys forget the power of little mind games like these.

We talked UP the Rocnel guy and look at where he's at with his Sailor prices. I too have made dumb remarks
(in hindsight) such as: "it's like having several Wolfman gaps in one device"...so I'm not absolving myself either.

Regarding the Rocnel Ti Hybrid Adjustable...it's a valid point to raise...how come its costs almost twice
as less as Sailor? Not suggesting any shady stuff going on but still a valid question to ask. In my view, it's a direct
attack aimed at the upcoming launch of the Blackland Adjustable—to gain early market share and suck
purchasing power and will out of the market...a pre-emptive strike of sorts. Of course, this strategy will not
work with the ones who must buy every half decent razor out there just to give it a whirl.
Am I right? Maybe, maybe not.

We shall see.

LOOT and Frl2 like this post
#266
(07-12-2023, 07:31 AM)Tester28 Wrote:
(07-12-2023, 03:18 AM)LOOT Wrote: He doesn't need anyone's permission to raise prices. But given what's on the market that I've held, it's underpriced and I give
zero effs about the secondary market. Just my opinion.

I may be mistaken but I think I remember reading some negative opinions (maybe not you personally) about the new Sailor
hybrid being offered at $300 vs the $900 for the MC. Questioning the motives.

OMG its so cheap, he could sell it for three times as much and people would buy.
It costs a fraction of what it should be selling for!
I can't believe how he sells it so cheap.
Etc. etc. etc.

While manufacturers don't need permission to raise prices, this kind of flattery
empowers them to do so....it's kind of like...a dogwhistle of sorts. Human nature
to take cues like that to validate price increases. (Oh, consumers won't mind
they think it's grossly underpriced to begin with.)

If people said: hey, it's decent value but I wouldn't pay more, a seller would likely think twice about
increasing prices. Wonder why guys forget the power of little mind games like these.

We talked UP the Rocnel guy and look at where he's at with his Sailor prices. I too have made dumb remarks
(in hindsight) such as: "it's like having several Wolfman gaps in one device"...so I'm not absolving myself either.

Regarding the Rocnel Ti Hybrid Adjustable...it's a valid point to raise...how come its costs almost twice
as less as Sailor? Not suggesting any shady stuff going on but still a valid question to ask. In my view, it's a direct
attack aimed at the upcoming launch of the Blackland Adjustable—to gain early market share and suck
purchasing power and will out of the market...a pre-emptive strike of sorts. Of course, this strategy will not
work with the ones who must buy every half decent razor out there just to give it a whirl.
Am I right? Maybe, maybe not.

We shall see.

(07-12-2023, 07:31 AM)Tester28 Wrote:
(07-12-2023, 03:18 AM)LOOT Wrote: He doesn't need anyone's permission to raise prices. But given what's on the market that I've held, it's underpriced and I give
zero effs about the secondary market. Just my opinion.

I may be mistaken but I think I remember reading some negative opinions (maybe not you personally) about the new Sailor
hybrid being offered at $300 vs the $900 for the MC. Questioning the motives.

OMG its so cheap, he could sell it for three times as much and people would buy.
It costs a fraction of what it should be selling for!
I can't believe how he sells it so cheap.
Etc. etc. etc.

While manufacturers don't need permission to raise prices, this kind of flattery
empowers them to do so....it's kind of like...a dogwhistle of sorts. Human nature
to take cues like that to validate price increases. (Oh, consumers won't mind
they think it's grossly underpriced to begin with.)

If people said: hey, it's decent value but I wouldn't pay more, a seller would likely think twice about
increasing prices. Wonder why guys forget the power of little mind games like these.

We talked UP the Rocnel guy and look at where he's at with his Sailor prices. I too have made dumb remarks
(in hindsight) such as: "it's like having several Wolfman gaps in one device"...so I'm not absolving myself either.

Regarding the Rocnel Ti Hybrid Adjustable...it's a valid point to raise...how come its costs almost twice
as less as Sailor? Not suggesting any shady stuff going on but still a valid question to ask. In my view, it's a direct
attack aimed at the upcoming launch of the Blackland Adjustable—to gain early market share and suck
purchasing power and will out of the market...a pre-emptive strike of sorts. Of course, this strategy will not
work with the ones who must buy every half decent razor out there just to give it a whirl.
Am I right? Maybe, maybe not.

We shall see.

I hear you. Valid points worth debating i suppose, just not with me any more. I really don't care. I buy what I want.

However, no superlatives. No flattery. Got it.


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#267
I just spoke with Theo and he is very well aware of the situation.

After some going back and forth, here are the new prices for the Ares and Athena, respectively.

Ares- €350
Athena- €360

























Sorry guys, I just couldn't resist. There's the door, I'll see myself out now. Tongue

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#268

Living on the edge
(07-12-2023, 12:30 PM)Frl2 Wrote: I just spoke with Theo and he is very well aware of the situation.

After some going back and forth, here are the new prices for the Ares and Athena, respectively.

Ares- €350
Athena- €360

























Sorry guys, I just couldn't resist. There's the door, I'll see myself out now. Tongue

Prescient. Smile

LOOT and HighSpeed like this post
#269
(07-12-2023, 07:31 AM)Tester28 Wrote:
(07-12-2023, 03:18 AM)LOOT Wrote: He doesn't need anyone's permission to raise prices. But given what's on the market that I've held, it's underpriced and I give
zero effs about the secondary market. Just my opinion.

I may be mistaken but I think I remember reading some negative opinions (maybe not you personally) about the new Sailor
hybrid being offered at $300 vs the $900 for the MC. Questioning the motives.

OMG its so cheap, he could sell it for three times as much and people would buy.
It costs a fraction of what it should be selling for!
I can't believe how he sells it so cheap.
Etc. etc. etc.

While manufacturers don't need permission to raise prices, this kind of flattery
empowers them to do so....it's kind of like...a dogwhistle of sorts. Human nature
to take cues like that to validate price increases. (Oh, consumers won't mind
they think it's grossly underpriced to begin with.)

If people said: hey, it's decent value but I wouldn't pay more, a seller would likely think twice about
increasing prices. Wonder why guys forget the power of little mind games like these.

We talked UP the Rocnel guy and look at where he's at with his Sailor prices. I too have made dumb remarks
(in hindsight) such as: "it's like having several Wolfman gaps in one device"...so I'm not absolving myself either.

Regarding the Rocnel Ti Hybrid Adjustable...it's a valid point to raise...how come its costs almost twice
as less as Sailor? Not suggesting any shady stuff going on but still a valid question to ask. In my view, it's a direct
attack aimed at the upcoming launch of the Blackland Adjustable—to gain early market share and suck
purchasing power and will out of the market...a pre-emptive strike of sorts. Of course, this strategy will not
work with the ones who must buy every half decent razor out there just to give it a whirl.
Am I right? Maybe, maybe not.

We shall see.
I did once ask Theo over email about his prices. He is very well aware of the quality of the product he is selling, the other razors that are out there, and that his price is very low, especially (to his mind) considering the amount of R&D work he did and the costs he incurred. More than a year on from this correspondence his prices still haven’t changed.

The mahogany box, by the way, is something he insists on providing with the razors. He explained it is very important to him that his razors are not just like other razors on the market, and the box, the Athena water channels, and other things are all part of how he differentiates his razors. I’m with Loot on this - throw away the box if you don’t value it, the price you paid for the razor is still excellent.

He isn’t going to read this forum someday and realise for the first time what other razors sell for or that his razors are very high quality. He knows. Of course he does.

Shouldn’t we just acknowledge when somebody makes an exceptional product and offers it at a friendly price? The other reason I comment sometimes on the price of this razor is that I wouldn’t want other members to undervalue it and assume it cannot be as good as other, higher priced razors. They might spend significantly more money and receive something lesser, and that would be a pity. I think we should let one another know if we think something is a great value.

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#270

Living on the edge
(This post was last modified: 07-13-2023, 05:14 AM by Tester28.)
(07-12-2023, 08:55 PM)Moriarty Wrote: Shouldn’t we just acknowledge when somebody makes an exceptional product and offers it at a friendly price? The other reason I comment sometimes on the price of this razor is that I wouldn’t want other members to undervalue it and assume it cannot be as good as other, higher priced razors. They might spend significantly more money and receive something lesser, and that would be a pity. I think we should let one another know if we think something is a great value.

I certainly don't want to put words in anyone's mouth (or suggest censoring oneself) but there is quite
a difference between saying "friendly price" / "great value".and the extreme hyperbole
I often see...."costs only a fraction of what it should" and "should be priced three times more".
Just wondering if that is necessary.

The average punter here is pretty savvy and can spot quality when they see it...look at Sascoman's excellent
photographs that showcase this device way better than even the manufacturer does.
I think we gotta enjoy this stuff without making the heads of these artisans swell up and not contribute
to inflation LOL. But hey, do what you want...I was just airing an opinion...that's still allowed even if
unpopular, right?


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