DO YOU TAKE CUSTOM ORDERS?
Although many of my pieces are built on “spec” because I just love to play in my shop, I am available for custom work. Please feel free to contact me at robert.d.quinn@eliterazor.com. Please see the available shapes I build in the “Brush Shapes” section under Shaving Brushes.
HOW DID YOU ARRIVE AT YOUR STANDARD RAZOR HANDLE SHAPE?
When I began building custom razor handles, I engaged a series of focus groups to provide feedback on a variety of handle designs.
The initial group reviewed 8 separate designs and were asked to shave with each for a week. Surprisingly, the ornate handles fared poorly in the week long test and the overwhelming favorite was the “cigar” shape that has become my standard. The shape was equally preferred by those who primarily grip the handle close to the head, as well as those who grip nearer the base.
Once a shape was determined, the next group tested varying degrees of profile, ranging from an almost straight 2 degrees of profile and incremented up by 2 degrees to a max of 16 degrees. These test results were a bit more variable. I expected the variance to correlate to hand size, but it was purely a personal preference. The results did heavily favor a grouping that only varied by 4 degrees.
So, most of my handles will fall right in the middle of that 4 degree “sweet spot”. Some will be a bit more broad and some will be a bit thinner, just to add a little variety.
DO YOU SIGN YOUR WORK?
I have considered for a long time the idea of branding my work and have elected not to pursue it. Many years ago (in my furniture building days), I was heavily influenced by the functional beauty and craftsmanship of Shaker furniture. These original pieces were generally not signed by the builder. The pursuit was simply to build a piece “which perfectly answers the purpose for which it was designed”.
While I try to accommodate beauty by the choice of materials, I strive for functional purpose in the design. I build each piece to be “owned” by someone else and I am merely holding it in safekeeping until they arrive. Once one of my razors or brushes is purchased, it has found its’ real owner and does not need my name on it.
Update: After much prodding from the marketplace, I have begun setting medallions in the base of my shaving brush handles as of March, 2018.
ARE THE HANDLES SLIPPERY WHEN THEY GET WET?
No, the wood handles have a finish that was designed for boat decks and is not slippery at all. The Neo-Resinate handles actually feel “tacky” when they are wet. The stone handles use a resin bonding agent that grips very well, as noted in the following comment from the owner of a Turquoise razor: “I know that it makes no sense, but it’s better than the original. Somehow the stone feels almost “sticky”, as rubber.”
HOW DOES THE WEIGHT OF THE HANDLE COMPARE TO FACTORY STANDARD?
The stone razors consistently weigh in to the factory standard. The wood razors, depending on the species of the wood, may be .1 to .3 ounces lighter than the standard. The Neo-Resinate pieces will consistently be .2 ounces lighter than the standard.
WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR KNOTS FOR SHAVING BRUSHES?
My Premium and Standard knots I have built to my specifications. I also carry a variety of synthetic knots.
ARE THE HANDLES WATERPROOF?
Yes, the stone handles and Neo-Resinate handles are naturally waterproof. The wood handles are all finished with 4-6 coats, depending on the porosity of the wood, of a marine-grade finish originally designed for sailboat decks.
ARE THE SHAVING BRUSHES HANDMADE?
Yes, all of the shaving brushes are created by me using a variety of materials, including wood, acrylic, stone and metal.
WHAT ARE THE SHIPPING COSTS?
United States and territories via USPS First Class Mail – $4
United States and territories via USPS Priority Mail – $8
DO YOU SHIP INTERNATIONALLY?
I am afraid I can only ship to U.S. addresses.
International customers may use a package forwarding service such as Shipito.com or USGoBuy.com. A Google search for “U.S. Package Forwarding Services” will show others. For a small fee, these companies act as your shipping agent, providing you with a U.S. shipping address. Please Note: (1) I have no affiliation with Shipito, or any other package forwarding service. I provide this simply as a courtesy for my International customers, with no specific recommendation. (2) Because I have no control over the package after it reaches a forwarding service, my shipping liability ends once the package reaches that service, based upon USPS tracking information.
