Your thoughts on OneBlade

good discussion guys

Yes sir!

NeoXerxes I of course sympathize with your hesitations. They're reasonable, given the $300 asking price. But, first, there's a really easily-obtainable coupon (hang out on the OneBlade site for a few seconds) that takes $30 off. Not nothing. Next, consider that this is an exquisitely-designed razor made of metal-injection molded (then PVD-coated) 316L German steel, using an expensive, high-precision process (that's why it's manufactured in China, by the way: that's where they found facilities to do it to spec) — so this is already a different sort of thing than the (excellent) Wolfman or ATT manufacturing. Finally, it's a more complex design: it includes a carefully balanced Teflon-coated-spring pivot, and the whole thing is put together and guaranteed for life. Whether or not the whole ends up working for you or is something you want, it's at least understandable why it's priced at a premium. It does help that it shaves fantastically. :-)

Also, it's unfair to factor OneBlade's official blade recommendation into your calculations. First, the Feather blades are available for less elsewhere (not to mention, you effectively get 40 blades free with the razor: 10 packed in, plus a coupon for 30 more free). But also, these blades last more than one shave. I'm going for two shaves each, but could do three. Other people get five, even seven. But even two shaves per, which is very normal, is twice the "official" value of the blades. So no, they're not that expensive in the end. And that's not even mentioning GEMs and their excellent longevity.

You made an analogy to high-end soaps and creams, and that's apt here. Sure, no soap is $300, but no soap is designed to last the rest of your life, either. :-) The OneBlade is equivalent though: necessary? Nope. You can get a great shave with a $25 razor. The top level of performance; an exemplar of human design and craftsmanship? Yep. It is what it is: a premium product delivering exceptional performance. Not for everyone. But, like luxury soaps, the folks who like this sort of thing will recognize it for what it is, and really, that's the audience.

Hmmm very good points mate, especially about the manufacturing method and the blade cost. Incidentally, I'm not familiar with this blade type (since I don't use SE) and I was only following the company's comments - I was under the impression that they are made to be used only once.

You've effectively refuted my objections and barriers to entry. Now all that is left is to complete my comparative research on SE models and decide.

Well done sir.

:-)

I'm not trying to convince you to buy one; I really don't know if it's for you or not. I only mean to offer my thoughts on why it's priced as it is, and correct the misunderstanding about the blades. That said, I do happen to think it's an excellent razor. As you can tell. ;-)

I think that just about any experienced shaver first looked at the One Blade as a joke. But let's not forget it is not marketed to people like us. When I first looked at it I thought the blades were proprietary and I'd be stuck with their subscription service. Thankfully a few brave souls like Hector took the plunge early and let the rest of us know what this razor could do. Once I discovered that the Feather blades could be bought in bulk from Connaught and then Sharp Spine found that the GEM blades would also work I was more at ease with the purchase, especially with the 10% coupon. There has been overwhelmingly praise for this razor which should tell you something. I don't believe I have read one negative comment on it other than the price. There is no getting around the high cost though.It shouldn't cost $300 but again, their target market is likely not as hesitant about the cost. I hate to return things but I would have sent it back in a heartbeat if it had not lived up to my expectations. I have had it long enough that the newness has worn off and I still use it often and more than any other razor by far. No other razor is as smooth or shaves as close.

but using their blade subscription service and the one-and-toss method would cost me the same amount for one month of blades as it would for one year of normal DE blades

Yeah but the thing is here that the "subscription" service isn't meant for you or anybody who frequents any shaving forum. It's meant for their target demographics who just want stuff automatically delivered to their door and really don't care about the cost. They aren't clipping coupons or looking for sales.

Different target audience. They are 54 cents in bulk. Get the on sale and they are under 50 cents. And you use them however long you choose to. That's up too.

This is not a reason to not buy this (But I am not advocating anyone do).

I also believe that a review of the R&D that went into the development must be considered. This product uses 316L German Stainless Steel, which is in fact of a higher grade than ATT razors. It is a totally new concept for a razor and completely different that what you get from the likes of Wolfman and/or ATT. They say they spent over a million on R&D. I'm not sure if I believe that, but even if they spent half of that, you have to consider that into the cost of what you're paying. To my knowledge, small companies like ATT and Wolfman took concepts from razors that have been around for a hundred years, and made them better with their engineering backgrounds and tight tolerances due to improved manufacturing processes. They did spend hundred of thousands or even millions on R&D. When you take these things into account, I don't think the cost of the razor is that high. Especially with their current 10% off or their 30 day trial where they give you a bunch of stuff that you can easily sell off for at least $50-60 if you didn't want to keep any of it.

My two concerns with this product are its longevity and the sustainability of the company. This razor will certainly not become a mass market item. How much profit does the company have to make in order for it to stay in business. They have to pay a CEO and several employees. I'm not sure the razor business will be enough to do that. I also worry about the spring action on the razor. Will it still work in 10 years, 20 years, or even 30 years? I have my doubts.

FYI Wolfman uses 316 SS.

Well, maybe they will be around long enough to honor their lifetime warranty, hopefully my lifetime, lol......

My two concerns with this product are its longevity and the sustainability of the company. This razor will certainly not become a mass market item. How much profit does the company have to make in order for it to stay in business. They have to pay a CEO and several employees. I'm not sure the razor business will be enough to do that. I also worry about the spring action on the razor. Will it still work in 10 years, 20 years, or even 30 years? I have my doubts.

These are reasonable questions, question I thought myself. But in the end, I didn't really care. Why?

If the spring breaks, then it breaks. Stuff happens, but they do warrant the unit for life, so as long as they are a viable company, I'm not going to worry about it. But what if the company goes under?

Then in the big scheme of life, its no big deal. Companies go bankrupt all the time. I kind of doubt anyone actually paid $300 since they are about always on "sale" so maybe $250 or so (I forget what I paid). But even if its $300, if its a mistake, then its a mistake. I'm sure I have made far more expensive mistakes in the past and will make more in the future. It happens.