Two years ago I backed the Model -T and I had high hopes. Over the intervening years, I became skeptical that they would ever be able to fulfill their campaign. I decided that to find out how difficult it would be to make a one-off razor that was similar. A friend of mine has a machine shop and I set the challenge for him: using the Kickstarter page and a Gillett fat boy, could he replicate the Model-T. On the following weekend, I went to his shop and there it was. A fully stainless steel TTO. It looked a bit different from the Model-T but none-the-less, he completed the challenge in about 5 hours. He told me that Stainless steel was hard on the tools but that he could probably make 40 per day. Of course, that's after the CNC lathes would be programmed, the cost of making jigs and all that. He estimated a cost of about $40,000 for tooling. (Later he adjusted his estimate to $75,000).
Materials cost could be as low as $15.50 and labour about $7.50. Then with packaging, he stated that he could produce the razor for $25 each, with a price point of around $50.00.
So, I knew it could be done.
I posted to the Kickstarter comments and got kicked out of the project. I suppose I could have been more diplomatic and all that, but I was frustrated.
A few months went by and I saw a new Kickstarter project for the Parthenon Razor (by Qshave). Fingers crossed, I backed the Parthenon Razor. This time I was determined to shut my yapper and just let it happen.
Wouldn't you know it, Qshave actually was legit! I received the Parthenon Razor a couple weeks ago.
The blades are evenly centered in the head unit and the gaps are consistent on both sides. I have sensitive skin and I found the shave very comfortable. So far, after six shaves, I'm very happy with my investment. I think the blade has one more good shave in it before I toss it.
The adjustment dial turns smoothly and the weight of the razor is really good. I am satisfied that this razor will last me many many years of great shaves.
So... I learned valuable lessons: STFU if you want to get a product from Kickstarter or ask for a refund, and my friend is a tooling genius.