SKARP IN TROUBLE....

It would appear that SKARP has run into problems, I will let the article explain for itself. KICKSTARTER RARELY suspends campaigns so it would appear that they had no working prototype and several other violations that caused this action on KICKSTARTER's part. Raised 4 million in a few weeks, all taken away with the suspension... I do see they moved to other revenue raising platforms now however....

http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/251643

it's on indiegogo now: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-s...-shaving#/

I must be out of the loop as I had no idea what SKARP was until I clicked the link.

If I could get away with a BBS face without shaving, I'd gladly do it....but I worry about the long term effects of a laser on my face. Many say they enjoy the shave and look forward to it, not me. I still see it as a chore and I'd rather be sleeping those extra 15 minutes, spending time with family, sitting with the dog and listening to an extra side of an LP etc.

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy it 100x more then when I was using an electric, but it's still a chore for me.

I thought they did have a working prototype? I wonder what else was the issue...

I'd like to care, but I just can't. I don't see how something that cuts off whiskers at the skin level or hopefully above skin level by burning them can ever give me as close a shave as I presently get. If I'm going to do a job I want it done right.

OK, also, wasn't that the razor that had the developers running around with beards and multiple days growth? That's what initially caused me to question their veracity. If it's so great for others why not for them? That's if they had a working unit. Obviously they didn't. Now it makes sense.

On another thread there was a discussion about a working prototype and the only evidence was sketchy at best. I imagine when they hit the $4 million mark they needed some additional proof of concept. I looked into the background of Morgan Gustavsson and he does have a number of papers on laser use in the dermatology area. I just don't see how you get the power to cut hair out of a LED laser with a AAA battery and still remain FDA complient for eye safe use. Currently CLASS 3B laser output maximum power output of 600mW @532nm - think laser pointers. Above this they are HEAVILY regulated since 2009 when people have been using multiple laser pointers (bundled together) to point at aircraft.

The video on the new site shows the laser barely cutting hair. Based on this I doubt my DE razors are nearing extinction anytime soon. Funny thing is they have almost reached their goal again so there are many that believe this is a viable product.

Say it ain't so.

Justin

I thought they did have a working prototype? I wonder what else was the issue...

The "prototype" was not fully functional, by their own description. They were unable to product the rigidly mounted fiber required. That meant they couldn't actually contact the skin, so their demonstration was iffy at best as well. That also means they have no way to test their claims about durability.

I think Kickstarter decided that all that uncertainty added up to "not a working prototype" for the purposes of the terms and conditions. And honestly, considering the bad press they've gotten about projects not following through, I am not surprised. Especially with a $4M project.

One thing I noticed today that I either skimmed over, or it wasn't on the original description, is the lifetime of the fiber. The IGG page says they expect it to last "several years." So does that mean $160 every 5 years? Not terrible, and still cheaper than Fusion cartridges, but it definitely changes the value proposition.

I thought they did have a working prototype? I wonder what else was the issue...

The "prototype" was not fully functional, by their own description. They were unable to product the rigidly mounted fiber required. That meant they couldn't actually contact the skin, so their demonstration was iffy at best as well. That also means they have no way to test their claims about durability.

I think Kickstarter decided that all that uncertainty added up to "not a working prototype" for the purposes of the terms and conditions. And honestly, considering the bad press they've gotten about projects not following through, I am not surprised. Especially with a $4M project.

One thing I noticed today that I either skimmed over, or it wasn't on the original description, is the lifetime of the fiber. The IGG page says they expect it to last "several years." So does that mean $160 every 5 years? Not terrible, and still cheaper than Fusion cartridges, but it definitely changes the value proposition.

The Kickstarter campaign stated a 50,000 hour life cycle. If you shaved with it for 10 minutes a day/everyday - that would be 300000 days or 821 years. So to answer your question it would be the last razor you ever bought. You would have to replace the AAA battery every month - that would be your only cost.

The Kickstarter campaign stated a 50,000 hour life cycle.  If you shaved with it for 10 minutes a day/everyday - that would be 300000 days or 821 years.  So to answer your question it would be the last razor you ever bought.  You would have to replace the AAA battery every month - that would be your only cost.

Interesting. Based on the Indiegogo page, then, they've backed off on that claim a bit.

The new fiber design has an extremely hard surface. We expect it to take several years to wear it out with normal use, but that can’t be tested until we have made it.

Or perhaps they meant 50,000 hours for the electronics, but nothing they've mentioned has indicated the fiber is replaceable.

I don't know that I would use one of these. Making and applying the lather is my favorite part of the shave, and the Skarp wouldn't work with that - or at least wouldn't need it. But I'm definitely interested to see how it develops. I hope it's a great product that happens to be developed by people with terrible planning and public relations skills.