[spiffy_chimp]

Several of you may have already seen this, but I thought I would share it anyway. The ad offers a straight razor mounted into a set of scales made from 10,000 year old mastodon ivory. The price is much too steep for most of us, but it sure looks like an interesting piece.

The ad claims the blades were chosen based on recommendations from the classic shaving community. I'm wondering if anyone from the SRP community was involved. I would hypothesize that the recommendation to include an option for a disposable blade holder probably did not originate from a true straight razor lover.

A link to the ad is here.

[Earthdawn]

pretty neat ... and im sure VERY expensive.

one thing funny is the link that gives you a background and care to the ivory.... the first thing it says under care is,

DO NOT:
Get the Ivory wet


LOL wonder how thats working out on a razor

[Ditch Doc]

Yeah, there was a discussion about this awhile back. The common idea is that these guys are a joke. Did you see the piano key "scrimshaw" amulets? They took an old piano key, did some no talent scrimshaw on it and sell it for 600 bucks. I'm glad you reminded me, I need to go get that old piano off craigslist...let's see, 82 * 600 is 49,200. OMG I'm going to be rich!!

[JimmyH-AD]

If you want a razor that is unique, has mammoth ivory handles and is probably half the price of one of those look no further then Straight Razor Designs. There is a Robert Williams hand forged 7/8s in mammoth with a worked spine for $500.00 here. I would buy it myself but things are slow. Robert makes some of the best there is. I have a few and they are all great shavers.

[thebigspendur]

First they talk about Mastodon then Mammoth. They are two very different species of animals so I guess they don't have a clue. It appears to be Mammoth which is really common stuff. Just an on line head shop.

[Ditch Doc]

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

First they talk about Mastodon then Mammoth. They are two very different species of animals so I guess they don't have a clue. It appears to be Mammoth which is really common stuff. Just an on line head shop.

for wealthy potheads!: roflmao

[Utopian]

Dude!
Let's get lit, get some chips and ice cream, and then shave!

[nun2sharp]

Originally Posted by Utopian

Dude!
Let's get lit, get some chips and ice cream, and then shave!

With that kind of humor I cant wait to meet you @ the mid-mo get together!

[Chady]

I think the little picture in a lens is kinda neat. And the blades they use are at least not zeepks. So I would give them credit for that. But their product does seem to not be aimed at people like this community as much as it is aimed at someone with a little money to spend and a lifestyle he wants to display through something he owns.
Yeah, looking at the prices of the other items and that some of them have been featured on some catwalk, they undoubtedly have a higher premium than a razor of same brand with the same scale and workmanship.

But I don't personally think the razors look tacky or overall bad. This is without taking their price into account.
And the disposable could be kinda cool if you're one of the few guys who just use a disposable straight for the convenience - again pending price.

[spiffy_chimp]

Yeah, their entire site seemed a bit off. The idea of Mastodon ivory sounds interesting, but certainly not for that price. Their claim of having consulted with masters among the classic shaving community was what prompted me to share this.

Did you notice the blurb about: Handcrafted 3mm Quartz "Stanhope" Magnifying Lens with Microscopic Vintage Erotica.

WTF? Microscopic vintage erotica isn't something I find myself seeking very often (ever), least of all while shaving.

I love the Craigslist piano key idea by the way.

[blueprinciple]

Dovo have been offering mammoth ivory scales for a while anyway..........

[Chady]

I would love a little lens with a picture in it with some sort of relevance to myself I just don't like their prices and their target audience.

[mbhodges]

You can get their lens with a custom picture in it for $150.....

[Chady]

yeah their prices is my primary problem with them

[malefunsio]

Hello Gentlemen,

Thank you for the comments. I'm Derrick, the guy that made the woolly mammoth straight razor and called it the Mastodon -- I just thought it sounded better, but was aware of the difference.

I joined the Badger and Blade web site a little while back when my barber friend and I were discussing making a new razor. I did much of my research for this project on that site. Since I already work with mammoth, metals and Stanhopes (I'm actually friends with the gentleman who makes these by hand to match the quality of those of the olden days) I wanted to give a razor a go to the best of my ability. After lots of research, trial and error and the help of Ken Rupkalvis of Ruprazor.com on restoration, I got just what I was looking for. I wanted to spare no expense finding the right folks and materials so as to present the best work and quality luxury razor I could make. I then sat and made a nice linen bag and wood box for it. The Stanhope, well, do a little research and you'll find that years ago it was a traditional curiosity added to knifes and the like -- I found the best ones I could find and added it to my razor. I'm kinda proud of them, they look awesome, feel amazing, are incredibly sharp and the experienced barbers I know love them.

The price, well I know, its not your everyday razor, its a luxury item for sure. I couldnt have one myself if I didnt make it here in my shop, but its all due to it not being a manufactured item that uses so many special parts: sterling lining, rivots and tubing; the nice old blades fully restored; the stanhope (which as one of you mentioned is about 100 bucks all by itself); the ivory; the box; the love for handcrafting things and the days it takes to make it. That kinda adds up, think about it.

So, imagine the cost of all that, then try to make a profit, then try to sell it to a store that wants to mark it up 2.2 times requiring you to do the same on your site so as to not compete with them and there you have it.

Anyhow, I really enjoy making them and doing my best to send out quality things out of my studio here. Its just me and a student that comes a couple of times a week to help. I know its expensive stuff, but its the necessary evil of profit and retail when you arent mass producing things.

Thank you all for your comments and keeping me sharp and honest. I hope I've answered some of your questions.

Best,

Derrick

[Bart]

Derrick,

Welcome to SRP.
I think it's beautiful work. I can't afford it, but I still find it stunning pieces.

Bart.

[Whiggamore]

Those stanhopes are interesting items and really add a lot of character to a razor. Or anything, for that matter.