Rockwell Razors AMA, April 4th, 2016

Have you ever considered a SE adjustable razor [or non] to complement your DE offerings?

Rockwell’s focus is absolutely on ease-of-use and adding real value for customers over alternative razors. If a potential design comes about that I feel meets those two criteria, then I’d definitely consider moving into the SE space. For now, I’m very happy building out a complete offering around just the 6S and Model T.

With your twist to open on the horizon, do you have a preference between your razors? Also, aside from your own, do you you have a favorite razor?

Can you tell us more about any other potential finishes for Rockwell razors?

Stainless steel is extremely challenging to add a finish to! We could use different bead-blasting finishes on the stainless steel (we’ve looked at a mirror finish - I wish I had pictures to share). That’s the only other stainless steel finish I’d look at for now. Anyone interested in a mirror finish stainless steel 6S, give me a shoutout in this thread - I want to hear from you!

Beyond stainless steel, we’re actively looking at the 6S in other materials that would really open up opportunities around other finishes and colors. Are there any finishes or colors in particular that are of interest to anyone?

Your blades have been getting favorable reviews. Can you tell us more about their production and country of origin?

I’m really excited people have been enjoying Rockwell Blades! We did a ton of research to find a steel that should stay sharp longer than average, and couple that with sharpening that would give an awesome shave but wouldn’t be too expensive (and would, by extension, keep the razor blades themselves at a very reasonable price). Because I currently see the blades as a significant strategic advantage for Rockwell over (very very large and well-funded) brands we’re competing for shelf space with at large stores, and the fact there aren’t too many blade-making facilities in the world, I’m not too eager to give away much more in detail around the production for the time being. I hope you guys understand!

How has your experience in producing the 6s impacted the development and release of the Model T?

I think we’ve learned a ton of lessons around manufacturing, fulfillment, and entrepreneurship. Personally, I’ve absolutely grown a resiliency that I would not have developed otherwise. We kept the Model T production totally secret until we were much, much further along in design, quoting, and production than we were with the 6S. We’ve taken great care with our potential manufacturing and assembly partners, and I’m expecting all this new-found experience will really shine through to early supporters and backers of the Model T as we move forward with manufacturing.

What's next for Rockwell?

We have a ton of products coming out after the Model T Kickstarter closes. You can expect our take on soaps, pre-shaves, and post-shaves, as well as some extra surprises in hardware later this year!

With your twist to open on the horizon, do you have a preference between your razors? Also, aside from your own, do you you have a favorite razor?

That’s definitely hard to answer, especially as I haven’t seen the full-production of the Model T yet. I love the durability of the 6S, but I also love the intuitive-factor of the Model T.

When I’m not using my 6S, I still occasionally use the vintage straight razor Morgan restored for me when we met in third year at university. It was made in the late 1800’s by a German company that doesn’t even have a Google entry, and Morgan put incredible ebony scales on it. It’s stunning.

Gareth, your 6S and upcoming Model T are beautiful takes on traditional double edge razors, the 3-piece and the twist-to-open. Does Rockwell Razors have any plans to make a somewhat more "unconventional" DE the way OneBlade and Roncel have done with the single edge razor?

With all the competition and the great razors available anytime in the market, why someone would prefer to prepay for a razor that will receive a year after the payment? Would you do that as a customer of another company, if you had no relation with manufacturing razors, blades, etc.? What would you say to people who have concerns about this tactic, which seems to be a result of lacking funds, in order to approach them? Why is it worth it to prepay for a razor in your opinion, bearing in mind all the great razors, p.e. Mongoose and Wolfman, whose makers the only thing they ask is to put you in a list and let you know when it's your turn to pay and then deliver you the razor? Have you tried any other razors in the same price range and above, with yours? Would you say objectively that yours are better shavers to deserve the prepayment and the wait?

Can you tell us more about any other potential finishes for Rockwell razors?

Stainless steel is extremely challenging to add a finish to! We could use different bead-blasting finishes on the stainless steel (we’ve looked at a mirror finish - I wish I had pictures to share). That’s the only other stainless steel finish I’d look at for now. Anyone interested in a mirror finish stainless steel 6S, give me a shoutout in this thread - I want to hear from you!

Beyond stainless steel, we’re actively looking at the 6S in other materials that would really open up opportunities around other finishes and colors. Are there any finishes or colors in particular that are of interest to anyone?

Brass/bronze/copper would be my choice due to weight and patina. However the pantina process may not be as appealing to the mass market, especially to a newbie (which it seems that Rockwell is focusing on converting to out rabbit hole of a lifestyle).

I would love to try a mirror finish if it added any value. I'm still waiting for my v2 Rockwell from my vendor (I got into the Kickstarter via an unconventional route) so it's hard to judge the new version; I would wonder if there would be a reduction in 'drag' between the v2 and a polished verson.