New Product Idea

[White&Nerdy]

Hello everyone,

I have a question that I would like to direct first at the forumites, and second at the Spyderco design team.

Would there be any interest in a Spyderco straight shaving razor?

To the forumites: consider the benefits of the straight razor. First, you get to learn a whole new skill (to most), you would have a piece of functional art, and an excuse to spend time honing and stroping the razor. Finally you would be reducing your carbon footprint as the energy to produce and transport the razor would only be paid once, not over and over again like a disposable cartridge.

To Spyderco: a product like this has some advantages. It would allow you to enter a whole new market, there would likely be less restrictions from customs as this is not a pocket knife (I'm just guessing of course), and it would allow you to explore a whole new aspect of knife design. From a sales standpoint many straight razor shavers collect all different kinds of razors (just like pocket knives) so there is a market for future designs. Finally, a straight razor is mechanically less complicated than a folder (no locking mechanism) so it may be easier to produce (or maybe not).

Like Spyderco's entry into kitchen knives, I would be very excited to see how they would approach a project like this, from steels, to tip design, to handle material. Couple that with Spyderco's legendary QC and there would be something for the shaving market to get excited about.

Something to think about....
(Want to learn more about straight razor shaving? Try badgerandblade.com The people on that forum are of a similar caliber to ones here.)

[jackknifeh]

First, welcome to the forum.

Second, straight razors have been discussed quite a bit. I don't know what Spyderco's view is on making them but the thought has been around a while. Keep thinking though. Lots of good ideas appear here.

Jack

[SQSAR]

Welcome Aboard! I like the idea of a Spyderco straight razor, but I doubt I'd get one. Still, it would be interesting to see what Sal and Company would come up with.

[razorsharp]

I just use the knives for that job :p :D

[VashHash]

Some of my spydercos can pull double duty for a straight razor

[butch]

welcome i love straights and the thought of a spyderco straight

you are rigght about the not having a lock open but may states and maybe over seas consider them to be gravity knives thus not legal

the other thing is that the grind is the tricky part even a guy that knows what they are doing can take more then an hour to grind a proper hollow grind on them let alone honing to the proper sharpness

[Jazz]

Welcome! Nice to see someone from Alberta. If I used a straight razor, I'd probably cut myself good, and I have lots of thick whiskers. I like the idea of less waste a whole lot, but I already dislike shaving enough to not prolong it any more than I have to (stropping, etc.).

- best wishes, Jazz.

[butch]

once you get used to a straight and are willing to take a little more time its a much nicer and smoother shave (your not passing 3-5 blades over your face all at once )

also jsut swapping to good shave soap or cream and making your own lather will make even a crappy multi blade razor shave better

i mostly shave ever other day and 90% of the time i just shave with the groath of hair

[gijoe945]

I hate to shave. It is a waste of time and dangerous to your health if you are on blood thinners. The only excellent straight razor to me are the ones made by Boker. It takes tremendous skill to make one. If Spyderco produced one, I would buy it and try to use it every other week. Has anyone priced razor blades lately? Do the math. It wouldn't take long to save enough to buy one, even at the going price of $500. I shave once in a while so I wont embarass my daughter.

[White&Nerdy]

Thank you all for the warm welcome.

Hmmm, it is disappointing to know that idea has already had a lot of airtime, I suspect that unless there is a major outcry for a straight razor Spyderco will not be tempted.

Like anything else proper technique will greatly improve your results, having the proper tools makes it that much easier. @gijoe, the economics of straight razor shaving are easy to see, I agree. I am now more curious about Boker, especially since Warriors and Wonders just started carrying them, thanks for the tip.

[skatenut]

Have to pass, woudn't dream of shaving with a straight razor. I frequently manage to still cut myself even with an electric razor. When I did shave with a safety razor in my long gone youth, so as not having to shave before going out at night, people used to ask me if I had gotten into a fight. :mad:

So, I've used electric razors for the last several dozens of years. :D

[sal]

Hi W&N,

We can always discuss it. That's what forujms are for.

I shaved with a straight razor for about 15 years. I think it's a great experience. I learned because I felt it was something I should know how to do. I shaved with various knives as well to work on different steels. Re-shaped a Spyderco kitchen knife and used it for a year or so.

(I was also a beekeeper for the same reasons).

We came close once, contacted Dovo. They had good steel and we wanted them to grind blades for us, but they were at capacity. I guess that ws about 10 or so years ago.

There are quite a few on the market, and more all of the time. Also customs. Tim Zowada makes a beautiful razor.

sal

[Slash]

I shave my head and face while in the shower. I thought about trying out a straight razor. But, I would be to afraid to take off an ear with it.
I have lots of dull blades laying around and saw some infomercial that sharpens them. Maybe, that could be a possible option to consider if it works. I'm sure there's a patent on it though.

[Niles]

I'd buy one if it was less than $100. Also it'd have to have a four way clip and screw together construction.

Alright that last part was facetious, but the first part was true.