Competitors Should Compete

You still haven’t answered my question. If he was gouging the community, why didn’t you go after higher (and in some cases, much higher) priced 316L offerings from other makers? Wouldn’t that have been a service to the community to point out gouging there as well? No. It would have been a bad business decision on your part.

Wait. So you think I specifically targeted this small razor maker who was probably making 100 razors because I thought that would help me make more money? And you think the best way to do that would be to help them fix their pricing which makes them MORE competitive? Think about that for a minute. That’s so silly.

The other guys are established and have a reputation that allows them sell their goods for higher prices. And their designs are far more complex which permits the higher value.

Balderdash. Being “established” is not the key to the door for charging extra for a premium product. Some of the best products in the shaving community started out expensive and stayed that way because they are worth he asking price. You didn’t attack them because you’d face blowback, full stop.

The comment about the designs being “more complex” is A matter of opinion, an opinion I’m sure which many would not agree with.

Well, since you’ve decided you know my motivations better than I do, ignore my points, presume to know details of my business, and are turning this into a bigger deal than it is, we’re done here. There’s no reason to respond to closed ears with an agenda. Have a great weekend!

It’s an interesting perspective to tolerate blatant price gouging while getting up in arms when it’s pointed out. The company promptly lowered their prices, confirming my point. And you’ll have to let me know when I called anyone a “liar” because that’s something I’m aware of.

By the way, if I were being selfish it would have been far better for them to remain overpriced, giving me the advantage. But I’d rather stand up for the community that’s done so much for me. It’s hard to say if this is causal, but my inventory sold out months earlier than anticipated and preorders are soaring. So my sales are excellent and I appreciate you checking on me!

Why aren’t you calling out Wolfman, Paradigm, Rocnell, all priced in the same bracket? Your comment on blatant price gouging is unfortunate, and certainly not within the spirit of the community, is it? 

I just checked both websites. All of his razors are sold out and yours are not. Your razors routinely sell for 30-50% off retail on the BST. No one, and I mean no one, is selling his razors. Must be a good reason for this.

Lol. Of course that has nothing to do with the fact I’ve been in business for four years, have sold thousands of razors, and produce over a thousand razors per production run. This is my full time job and it’s enabled me to build a great life and I’m incredibly grateful to the community for making that happen. Your misinformed opinion about the health of my business is far off the mark and has no impact on me.

Look, you’re turning this into something it’s not. I have nothing against Carbon. I actually think the razor looks cool and I genuinely hope they succeed. I believe that when the pie grows we all win. As far I’m concerned they made a pricing mistake, but they immediately fixed it and apologized. That’s great and I applaud that kind of honesty! Problem solved. So now we move on with our lives and I recommend you do the same.

You still haven’t answered my question. If he was gouging the community, why didn’t you go after higher (and in some cases, much higher) priced 316L offerings from other makers? Wouldn’t that have been a service to the community to point out gouging there as well? No. It would have been a bad business decision on your part.

I don't follow razors prices too well (no need to, really), but wolfman razors, sold directly from the wolfman website, are way under priced, as witnessed by the secondary market prices.  demand far surpasses his supply.

A polished Wolfman stainless razor sells for in excess of $500. Carbon 316L was $299, now $250. Blackland 303 stainless sells for $230.

Wait. So you think I specifically targeted this small razor maker who was probably making 100 razors because I thought that would help me make more money? And you think the best way to do that would be to help them fix their pricing which makes them MORE competitive? Think about that for a minute. That’s so silly.

The other guys are established and have a reputation that allows them sell their goods for higher prices. And their designs are far more complex which permits the higher value.

Balderdash. Being “established” is not the key to the door for charging extra for a premium product. Some of the best products in the shaving community started out expensive and stayed that way because they are worth he asking price. You didn’t attack them because you’d face blowback, full stop.

The comment about the designs being “more complex” is A matter of opinion, an opinion I’m sure which many would not agree with.

Well, since you’ve decided you know my motivations better than I do, ignore my points, presume to know details of my business, and are turning this into a bigger deal than it is, we’re done here. There’s no reason to respond to closed ears with an agenda. Have a great weekend!

I have no agenda. Show me an agenda. Same cannot be said for you. 

And here folks, is an example of one razor maker trying to bully the new kid on the block in the name of “service to the community.” Just another example of a competitor trying to compete.

I don’t have a dog in this fight, but as a casual observer, Shane and Blackland are a credit to this community.  The reason I never owned a Blackbird is solely one of style and efficiency.  My Timeless Titanium 0.68 is my daily driver and clearly a different style than the Blackland camp.  The next razor that I am purchasing even though I don’t need it is a Janus.  Had the Janus not been available, the new Blackland Tradere would be my next razor.

I like the fact that an artisan can be an active member of this community and see us as more than just customers.  The Carbon may be a very good razor, but pointing out the high price from an unknown and unproven manufacturer by someone that knows what he is talking about is a service to us and not an attack on a competitor.  

There must be a reason that certain vendors such as Blackland are held in such high esteem by the community.  I have no doubt that should a legitimate issue arise with a Blackland razor it would be quickly rectified.

Shane, please continue your posts and supporting the community.

I don’t have a dog in this fight, but as a casual observer, Shane and Blackland are a credit to this community.  The reason I never owned a Blackbird is solely one of style and efficiency.  My Timeless Titanium 0.68 is my daily driver and clearly a different style than the Blackland camp.  The next razor that I am purchasing even though I don’t need it is a Janus.  Had the Janus not been available, the new Blackland Tradere would be my next razor.

I like the fact that an artisan can be an active member of this community and see us as more than just customers.  The Carbon may be a very good razor, but pointing out the high price from an unknown and unproven manufacturer by someone that knows what he is talking about is a service to us and not an attack on a competitor.  

There must be a reason that certain vendors such as Blackland are held in such high esteem by the community.  I have no doubt that should a legitimate issue arise with a Blackland razor it would be quickly rectified.

Shane, please continue your posts and supporting the community.

If you truly believe this to be true, I suspect you have been hoodwinked and bamboozled. The main premise of his original argument was that a 316L razor does not cost as much as he thinks Carbon pays and therefore, on the strength of his own opinion, it must be priced too high. Only now does he add the bit about it being ok for established manufacturers to charge whatever they please.

This is the problem with these forums. People like Shane interact with a customer, so therefore he must be a nice guy, who is friendly, who, at the end of the day, has my back so I won’t be taken advantage of! Perhaps one of the greatest marketing tools available to him, as evidenced by the fact that his comments have gotten likes thourghout this thread. Meanwhile, members (who I certainly will not name) message me here privately agreeing with my points.

Why aren’t you calling out Wolfman, Paradigm, Rocnell, all priced in the same bracket? Your comment on blatant price gouging is unfortunate, and certainly not within the spirit of the community, is it? 

I just checked both websites. All of his razors are sold out and yours are not. Your razors routinely sell for 30-50% off retail on the BST. No one, and I mean no one, is selling his razors. Must be a good reason for this.

You still haven’t answered my question. If he was gouging the community, why didn’t you go after higher (and in some cases, much higher) priced 316L offerings from other makers? Wouldn’t that have been a service to the community to point out gouging there as well? No. It would have been a bad business decision on your part.

I don't follow razors prices too well (no need to, really), but wolfman razors, sold directly from the wolfman website, are way under priced, as witnessed by the secondary market prices.  demand far surpasses his supply.

A polished Wolfman stainless razor sells for in excess of $500. Carbon 316L was $299, now $250. Blackland 303 stainless sells for $230.

$500 is still probably low, honestly. I'm aware of the pricing on the carbon 316L. I thought it was a little high when it first came out myself and not fond of their original handle. they listened to the community, dropped the price some and turned out 2 more handles which I think people have liked thus far. I still think they're leaving some $$ on the table by not offering a head-only option, but to each their own...

I don't see anything on Shane's site for $230..maybe I'm missing something..?

I don't follow razors prices too well (no need to, really), but wolfman razors, sold directly from the wolfman website, are way under priced, as witnessed by the secondary market prices.  demand far surpasses his supply.

A polished Wolfman stainless razor sells for in excess of $500. Carbon 316L was $299, now $250. Blackland 303 stainless sells for $230.

I don't see anything on Shane's site for $230..maybe I'm missing something..?

The polished versions of Blackbird ($230), Sabre ($230), and Vector ($240).

A polished Wolfman stainless razor sells for in excess of $500. Carbon 316L was $299, now $250. Blackland 303 stainless sells for $230.

I don't see anything on Shane's site for $230..maybe I'm missing something..?

The polished versions of Blackbird ($230), Sabre ($230), and Vector ($240).

ah, it didn't change the price until I told it to not add an inkwell.

I don't see anything on Shane's site for $230..maybe I'm missing something..?

The polished versions of Blackbird ($230), Sabre ($230), and Vector ($240).

ah, it didn't change the price until I told it to not add an inkwell.

gregcss is correct of course, But you still have a point. There are large price gaps between Blackland razors and many competitors, not to mention the fact that Blackland’s “in stock” record, if not perfect, is still pretty darn good.

Well, since you’ve decided you know my motivations better than I do, ignore my points, presume to know details of my business, and are turning this into a bigger deal than it is, we’re done here. There’s no reason to respond to closed ears with an agenda. Have a great weekend!

I have no agenda. Show me an agenda. Same cannot be said for you. 

And here folks, is an example of one razor maker trying to bully the new kid on the block in the name of “service to the community.” Just another example of a competitor trying to compete.

Actually, it's becoming pretty clear your agenda is just to troll and badmouth artisans you don't like. In 2 days i've seen APR, Declaration Grooming and now Blackland. 3 of some of the finest makers in the game.