Varlet is moving to Order Form

Gentlemen, at this point, you are beating a dead horse.  I haven’t noticed anyone’s mind being changed by what seem to be the two basic sides of this discussion.  Perhaps it’s time to move on for the time being.

Gentlemen, at this point, you are beating a dead horse.  I haven’t noticed anyone’s mind being changed by what seem to be the two basic sides of this discussion.  Perhaps it’s time to move on for the time being.

Seems we covered all the major bases: ANGER, DENIAL, BARGAINING, DEpRESSION, ACCEPTANCE.

Gentlemen, at this point, you are beating a dead horse.  I haven’t noticed anyone’s mind being changed by what seem to be the two basic sides of this discussion.  Perhaps it’s time to move on for the time being.

Seems we covered all the major bases: ANGER, DENIAL, BARGAINING, DEpRESSION, ACCEPTANCE.

You forgot "Indifference".

And righteous indignation...

Indifference falls under Denial.
Righteous indignation under Anger.

How about "passive aggressive pontification"?
It's one of my favourites on shave forums.

The 5 stages of grief was something put forward by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross:

"The five stages, denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance are a part of the framework
that makes up our learning to live with the one we lost. They are tools to help us frame and identify
what we may be feeling. But they are not stops on some linear timeline in grief. Not everyone goes
through all of them or in a prescribed order. Our hope is that with these stages comes the knowledge
of grief ‘s terrain, making us better equipped to cope with life and loss. At times, people in grief will
often report more stages. Just remember your grief is as unique as you are.

Indifference falls under Denial.
Righteous indignation under Anger.

How about "passive aggressive pontification"?
It's one of my favourites on shave forums.

The 5 stages of grief was something put forward by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross:

"The five stages, denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance are a part of the framework
that makes up our learning to live with the one we lost. They are tools to help us frame and identify
what we may be feeling. But they are not stops on some linear timeline in grief. Not everyone goes
through all of them or in a prescribed order. Our hope is that with these stages comes the knowledge
of grief ‘s terrain, making us better equipped to cope with life and loss. At times, people in grief will
often report more stages. Just remember your grief is as unique as you are.

Thanks. I feel much better now.

I appreciate @“The Varlet” for reading this thread and considering what’s being put forth.

The purpose of this post is to touch on something that Aldo brought up and that it appears he is assessing.

To quote Aldo,

“As I mentioned previously, I've come to realize is that The Varlet most likely won't be a high production brand. I didn't have the knowledge or the foresight back when I designed the brushes to maximize the number I could make.

What I'm trying to achieve with the new format is balance. I'm trying to achieve a balance in my workload, maximize the quality of the brushes, and increase the level of service and communication I can provide. Also, I'm taking into account the overall purchase experience. I don't think making drops for a limited production brush is the best way to go about it. It creates too much tension out there. If and when I'm able to provide a brush that I can make in larger numbers, I'll reconsider making batch releases.”

I’m not clear where the “Everset” brushes stood or stand in the Varlet lineup but perhaps something like that could be the more simple and higher production model.

I don’t pretend to be knowledgeable on everything that goes into producing a brush but from watching many current makers on social media, it’s fair to say that they can all turn out a basic, no frills shape pretty quickly. Single color resin, PE instead of alumilite to speed up basic polishing, minimal or no engraving, and fewer knot size options but still offering a 29mm XD since that’s what I want

The comparison I’d make for how and why I think this would succeed are the Rolex and Tudor brands. Tudor isn’t a “bargain” Rolex, it’s a fantastic watch with in-house, COSC certified movements, at more approachable price points.

I hope Aldo can use some of these suggestions to create a long term and sustainable business model that appeals to as many as possible while still maintaining the brand he envisioned when he created it.

It is my perception that brushes, unlike razors, have a finite lifespan.
No one sets out to abuse a brush but it's highly likely that you will,
at some point, inflict some degree of wear on it. So I treat the
'heirloom' claim with some skepticism. 

In a section on its website, The Varlet states: "Proper pre-shave soaking in very
warm water is also recommended and ample time to dry with several days between
uses being optimal for long-term care." (for some reason this caveat is stated
only in the XD knot section)

To me, this is a tacit admission that brushes are susceptible to the vagaries of use.

When you are shelling out $500-$600 for a brush, I imagine you would almost
want a lifetime warranty without pre-conditions.

Now I know that isn't possible because different people treat brushes differently, have 
3 or 30 brushes in rotation etc etc....but find it hard to buy the theory that you can spend 
a huge amount of money on a brush like this and pass it down for generations.

It is my perception that brushes, unlike razors, have a finite lifespan.
No one sets out to abuse a brush but it's highly likely that you will,
at some point, inflict some degree of wear on it. So I treat the
'heirloom' claim with some skepticism. 

In a section on its website, The Varlet states: "Proper pre-shave soaking in very
warm water is also recommended and ample time to dry with several days between
uses being optimal for long-term care." (for some reason this caveat is stated
only in the XD knot section)

To me, this is a tacit admission that brushes are susceptible to the vagaries of use.

When you are shelling out $500-$600 for a brush, I imagine you would almost
want a lifetime warranty without pre-conditions.

Now I know that isn't possible because different people treat brushes differently, have 
3 or 30 brushes in rotation etc etc....but find it hard to buy the theory that you can spend 
a huge amount of money on a brush like this and pass it down for generations.

brushes are also not made of steel, so one could strongly assume that it might have degradation with use, unlike razors. whether someone wants to spend $500 or more for a brush is on them. I'm not sure why you keep fighting this so hard...

At the end of the day, it's Aldo's business and his decision as to what he prices his brushes at..

I'm not sure why you keep fighting this so hard...

At the end of the day, it's Aldo's business and his decision as to what he prices his brushes at..

I'm not sure if I have ever used any language in my post that suggests fighting.
As you can see from varlets posts below he welcomes discussion as long as it is civil.
Have I overstepped those boundaries? Let him put any price on them....I am raising a question
about these being heirloom pieces and being passed down through generations.

Also, and this is me being pedantic, but the price of a brush starts at $485...is this considered "low to mid $400s"?
That's not what I've learned about rounding off numbers.

First of all, I would like to say that any discussion and opinion about my business is ok with me...

I don't want to compare my brushes to other brushes, or even razors, but it does beg the question, if there are vintage English brushes out there still being lathered, why question the longevity of badger brushes? I've been told by many customers that my brushes will be handed down to their sons when the time comes, and that is just the greatest thing to know. It's why I build them like I do, with the materials that I do. It's why I engrave them too. But, just a word, care for your brushes! They really need proper care.

-Aldo

I have adjusted the prices of the brushes by about 8%. This puts most builds in the low to mid $400's, which I honestly feel is very fair for what is delivered.

-Aldo