I don't own any Rockwell Razors BUT the description of the T2-SS sounds like they have given it a lot of thought and have attempted to purposefully improve upon previous versions by replacing much of the old zinc with Stainless. True, the internal assembly could also be made using more stainless rather than brass but I don't know (I lack the knowledge to comment on) how that would impact the final design, longevity and function.
Price/cost is a very subjective feature but I agree that every attempt should be made to ensure product descriptions are accurate and complete so we can individually decide if the sales price is "worth it". I would certainly expect to pay more or less for a a razor based on what kind of metal it is made of, even if all other details were the same. Personally I typically prefer the extra weight of a steel razor vs aluminum or zinc, unless the zinc version of the T2 is very similarly weighted I don't think I would choose it over the heavier stainless steel option.
@Scuttlesoap, aside from the razor not being completely SS as you expected, do you get the impression it is well made/designed? Feels good in hand (is it appropriately "heavy") and would provide an enjoyable shaving experience? Based on the specs shown on the website the zinc version weighs 103grams and the stainless 106g...that seems SO very close to me, I don't know if I would feel the difference.
From a build perspective and a shave performance perspective - no doubt this is a good razor and I would think that this would serve most who purchase it well. In inspecting the razor itself, there again- it is well built and It should last a very long time, though I fully doubt that as a daily shaver - this would be that lifetime shaver - the parts they chose to make plastic will probably fail.
However, I am a collector of fully stainless steel razors - I am not a snob - this is just what I have chosen to collect. I think there are many, many razors of different materials that are very fine, if not truly gems. They are just my style - I love the heft, the style, the color, and the durability.
And I know the full history of the development of what is know this T2 razor. Rockwell had set out, in its crowdfunding effort, to develop a fully stainless steel TTO razor. It didn’t work out and Rockwell did the right thing in giving people the option to get their money back or to continue with the Model T but with mixed metals. From a stainless collector standpoint (and I know most people don’t track this) - this was pretty well known - most did not hold a grudge - that’s the whole point of crowdsourcing and prototyping - sometimes it just doesn‘t work out - or you find out it just isn’t cost effective. The second version - which they dubbed the T2, was advertised up front as a continuation of the mixed metals, but with some improvements based on what they learned and from customer feedback.
Fast forward to now - Rockwell fully engaged in an advertising campaign to promote this as the Holy Grail - they had finally executed what they intended in the original Model T - a stainless steel razor. I like to give companies the benefit of the doubt - but I can say that the YT reviewers they selected are very popular - but not wont for making criticisms. But one thing was clear - they promoted this as a fully stainless steel razor. No YT mentioned the various parts that were not. On the sales portion for their website - there is a thrust to focus on the it being stainless steel. Ironically, they do state that there isn’t plastic (which isn’t true as well)…..and the links to the release ad and to the blog - which are not readily seen - are the only portions. Given that Rockwell fully knows the history and that a portion of their buyers are collectors - or at least enthusiasts - it from the surface seems like guilt by omission to me. They could have easily stated that most were stainless steel.
I myself wouldn’t have purchased it - had this been more upfront in the adverting. Now that I have read the blog - which again, while you can get there - it is promoted as though - ”Look, we’ve done it - a fully stainless TTO and see our blog to how we did it.” Instead it is more like - be wary of the fine print. As a collector - there is not enough difference at their previous model which is $100 less, which is significant.
From a pricing standpoint - I think my experience with this niche area - I can make some critical comparisons. If you look at my collection of stainless steel adjustables only - those range retail anywhere from $250- $800. While I believe sellers and creators can mark their price to whatever they desire and what may be valuable to me is not for another…..there are a couple of things that would command a higher price (which is true in any hobby or collection - not just shaving)…..(1) is it first to market in its field or does it offer a function that its competitors do not. In this case, yes. The Rockwell T2 SS is the only TTO on the market (or had it been fully stainless - it would have been both first and the only adjustable that is TTO), (2) what are the competitors prices? Are the comparable. Again, if you look at the stainless steel adjustable market - the price is on par. (3) Is the design complex. Yet again, this is made up of 20 parts, which if you compare it to the REX Ambassador, a complex razor in its own right - only has 10 parts), (4) Is it art. This is a gray area - but I would not believe there are many that are collecting it because of its “artisanship” - it’s industrial look is basic and the razor, consider its other Rockwell brethren, is utilItalian, meant for purpose. A good comparison is a BMW is considered functional - but your intention woul be to drive it everyday….whereas your Bentley, you would take it out on Sunday drives. and (5) is its manufacturing process one that also adds to its price. In this case, and in my opinion, should be the heaviest weighted. All its competitors (REX, HML, Rocnel, Denali,etc) are CNC machined. This significantly adds to the price. In addition, the competitors, even in their machines brushed finishes, do require an effort for the basic polish. Rockwell razors are injection molded, its parts are manufactured overseas (it is assembled in N. America) reducing its cost, and now that I see the significant amount of parts that are brass or plastic……the price on its front is high compared to the market and the fact that its other T2 razor is drastically less. Plus, the parts that were made brass and plastic - there was not need - it was purely a cost cutting measure and margin decision, these could have easily been made stainless and people would have still bought the razor at the adjusted higher price to accommodate.
Again, I’m a collector, not a Doctors Without Borders. This isn’t a tragedy in the grand scheme of the world. But in life, I believe in honesty and integrity and I do believe this is guilt by omission. If I were a baseball card collector and purchased what was advertised as a first run Babe Ruth in a glass case, and then found out I could have gotten the same card by buying a 10 pack of cards - and that one even comes with a gum stick, there is a level of disappointment.
