Expensive razor vs cheaper

Has any one started with reasonably priced razor such as Edwin Jagged, and gone on to something like top of the range feather? If so, did you get a better shave, smoother and closer?

I went the other way around - After a Rockwell 6C, Merkur Progress, Gillette Slim and ATT SE1 I'm getting my most exciting shaves out of an Ever-Ready 1912 that I exchanged with a pal for a tub of soap. The others are excellent and in my rotation, but the 1912 excites me because it's so loud when it cuts and has so much personality.
 
I don't see SS or bronze as superior. Brass is ideal for DE, and SE razors. Zamak is should be avoided.

I agree that you could argue that brass is the best material for razors, but Fatip is the only mainstream brand using it unless you go vintage. SS has the advantage that it doesn't need to be plated to keep it looking nice and not smelling funny.
 
I agree that you could argue that brass is the best material for razors, but Fatip is the only mainstream brand using it unless you go vintage. SS has the advantage that it doesn't need to be plated to keep it looking nice and not smelling funny.

Brass is however nowadays expensive. As well, the old industrial stamping eqpmt. used "back in the day" has gone the way of the horse & buggy. Actually, I don't think as many are as concerned with what material is used as forums would lead us to believe. I am sure Merkur & EJ make more money than artisans. Zamak, while hardly ideal for longevity, is not a concern for most as no one buys a new razor nowadays thinking they will bestow it upon their descendants (primogeniture & entail invoked however ;) :D ).
 
Actually guys I want to buy a 'for life' razor. I'm willing to spend a bit more than for a Merkur or Muhle (though they are of course excellent). I love my Rockwell 6S and want something of at least that quality and with a bit of bite to it!

What do you all think??

I have got to say the Rockwell was worth the extra money by the way - I can use it every day on the most aggressive plate.
 
I agree that you could argue that brass is the best material for razors, but Fatip is the only mainstream brand using it unless you go vintage. SS has the advantage that it doesn't need to be plated to keep it looking nice and not smelling funny.

Some modern SS razors are plated anyway, because they are only corrosion resistant, not corrosion or stain proof.
 
Brass isn't what I'd call expensive, and it's much cheaper to machine than SS, and it polishes easier. I'd like to see German silver, "nickel silver", used for modern razors.

Actually, I was thinking that Gillette probably used the more expensive bronze or even "gun metal", i.e., a bronze alloy of 88% copper, 10% tin, and 2% zinc which is very water resistant and won't corrode easily. However, that is just an educated guess as it was quite commonly used in New England, especially in early Winchester firearms. But...….I dunno. :confused:
 
Some modern SS razors are plated anyway, because they are only corrosion resistant, not corrosion or stain proof.

That is true, brass is much more corrosion resistant than SS and is an argument in favour of it being the best material. With that said, uncoated SS is more than corrosion resistant enough to face your average bathroom without worrying and it'll still look good doing it. As long as you're not storing it in sea water it'll be fine. While it is purely aesthetic brass looks grungy pretty quickly if you don't keep it polished.

I'm not a fan of coated steel razors, if I'm buying steel I want to see it.
 
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