Any UK artisan razor makers

neilwf said:
I may be having a sense of humour failure here, if I am I apologise.
I feel that what powers the lathe is not relevant, in this video. All the power does is rotate the work piece. It's what guides the cutting tool that's important. There's a handle that moves the cutting tool towards and away from the work, and another that moves it along the length of the work. He's using his hands to move those handles.
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He doesn't make a razor though, just a handle - a round piece of metal. I think with your definition of artisan there is not a single "artisan razor maker" (I exclude straights in my claim) in the world. Even my beloved Bunny V3 razors which in my heart I know to be "artisan" are mostly CNC made and don't qualify. Commercially available artisan razors do not and cannot exist.
Soaps, brushes, bowls and even razor handles - yes. DE/SE Razors and blades - no.

Looking at the initial post - @Roy - how do you define artisan?
 
riverrun said:
He doesn't make a razor though, just a handle - a round piece of metal. I think with your definition of artisan there is not a single "artisan razor maker" (I exclude straights in my claim) in the world. Even my beloved Bunny V3 razors which in my heart I know to be "artisan" are mostly CNC made and don't qualify. Commercially available artisan razors do not and cannot exist.
Soaps, brushes, bowls and even razor handles - yes. DE/SE Razors and blades - no.

Looking at the initial post - @Roy - how do you define artisan?
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I don't automatically disqualify a one man shop who uses CNC machinery IN HOUSE as he is the one making it. I do not however consider say two or three Poindexters who use a "kickstart" and then farm everything out to a shop to be artisan. As an example, I would consider the Wolfman maker to be an artisan/machinist.
 
Bogeyman said:
I don't automatically disqualify a one man shop who uses CNC machinery IN HOUSE as he is the one making it. I do not however consider say two or three Poindexters who use a "kickstart" and then farm everything out to a shop to be artisan. As an example, I would consider the Wolfman maker to be an artisan/machinist.
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So artisans need to be rich enough to be able to afford their own CNC machines?
 
Significant* in-house design and production combined with owner(s) active in the business (as opposed to passive investor) is my working definition of an artisan producer, but feel free to rip it to shreds.

* outsourcing label packaging production wouldn't disqualify as an example
 
riverrun said:
He doesn't make a razor though, just a handle - a round piece of metal. I think with your definition of artisan there is not a single "artisan razor maker" (I exclude straights in my claim) in the world. Even my beloved Bunny V3 razors which in my heart I know to be "artisan" are mostly CNC made and don't qualify. Commercially available artisan razors do not and cannot exist.
Soaps, brushes, bowls and even razor handles - yes. DE/SE Razors and blades - no.

Looking at the initial post - @Roy - how do you define artisan?
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I feel we are reaching agreement. Commercially available artisan DE/SE razors do not and cannot exist. An artisan made product is unique, no two are exactly the same. It's slightly different to the next one that's made. There is no form of production line, producing hundreds or even thousands exactly the same.
 
neilwf said:
I feel we are reaching agreement. Commercially available artisan DE/SE razors do not and cannot exist. An artisan made product is unique, no two are exactly the same. It's slightly different to the next one that's made. There is no form of production line, producing hundreds or even thousands exactly the same.
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Fair enough. Artisan DE/SE razor makers don't exist and the OP was merely after 'small companies' making razors, I assume.
Although - I still don't fully understand why my Bunny V3s are not artisan products.
 
neilwf said:
I feel we are reaching agreement. Commercially available artisan DE/SE razors do not and cannot exist. An artisan made product is unique, no two are exactly the same. It's slightly different to the next one that's made. There is no form of production line, producing hundreds or even thousands exactly the same.
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I will take issue with that definition per se. Would this not as well apply to artisan soap makers who are consistent? I think we can find common ground between someone using water power in a grist mill type scenario and someone who uses a CNC machine or pantograph. I would call a Holland & Holland shotgun artisan and they use modern methods as well as repeat models.
 
BillS said:
Indeed, I too am a sucker for a well made British product. So I will be investigating the previous forum posts about the Hone. They are describing the Hone 15 as a "mild" shave. A dangerous claim I understand, as I doubt any manufacturer would describe a product as "really aggressive, likely to take your face off" My interpretation is D89=mild. Can any owners out there corroborate pls?
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I would say that the Hone 15a (aluminium) is a relatively mild razor that gives an excellent shave. It's not as mild as a Feather AS-D1 and I would put the shave as somewhere around the DE89 mark.

The brass version is an awesome razor with a similar level of efficiency as the 15a but much heavier and smoother. It's a really nice bit if kit and, in my opinion, is well worth the cash.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
ajc347 said:
I would say that the Hone 15a (aluminium) is a relatively mild razor that gives an excellent shave. It's not as mild as a Feather AS-D1 and I would put the shave as somewhere around the DE89 mark.

The brass version is an awesome razor with a similar level of efficiency as the 15a but much heavier and smoother. It's a really nice bit if kit and, in my opinion, is well worth the cash.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Oh what a welcome summary @ajc347 as I've just gone spending daft and bought the brass one. DE89 level is great with me and a heavier model perhaps increases the aggression, perceived or otherwise. My wallet is cowering in a corner feeling like it's been sparring with Mr Joshua and about to call an abuse hotline!
 
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