They said they will send invoices in the order of how you signed up on the batch 2 list. Im going with the head only option. Did you choose satin because the mirror scratches easy?
Exactly. I read and saw pics of B1 heads that already had several scratches. Plus, Matt said that in future releases they probably won't offer the mirror finish. I barely missed batch 1. I'm really excited that it's nearly here.
I have a stainless steel polish that works great. I use it on my guns. It's called "Flitz". You can get it on Amazon for abut $8.00 for 1.76 oz. It will remove scratches and scuffs.
The Mongoose is an incredibly beautiful and functional design. It's been called a game changer. A lot. IMHO, unless the blades are manufactured on a level close to what DE blades are, I don't see it as a game changer. The proprietary blade might be it's achilles heel. They are available now, but in a limited selection and on the expensive side. What happens if in a few years the manufacturers stop making this type of blade available to consumers and focus instead entirely on use by pros in the hair salon/barber industry(it could happen)? Yeah, you'd probably still be able to get them, but, again,what happens to the price? The wider availability of DE blades trumps the snot out of this, for me. I already have a razor that uses a proprietary blade, and am looking down the road at when the blades for it are no longer available. Not looking for a repeat scenario. YMMV.
The blade that the Mongoose uses is stiffer than a DE blade which many feel gives you a better closer shave. These blades are really made for the Feather Artist Club straight razor which is very popular. So we have several straight razors using it and also the Cobra razor and now the Mongoose. The DE razor is really a small niche in the grand scheme of things and we could see production stop on DE blades also. But yes there are more companies making DE blades. All things considered, I think it's a safe bet blades will stay about the same price or go down in the near future.
Therein lies the rub. You're gambling that this will happen when you buy the Mongoose, and with $150. I'll stick to vintage DEs and SEs. At least if this happens with De or Schick blades, I'm not out much on a single razor. And I doubt I'll suffer re quality of shave. Again, YMMV. And the DE razor is only a niche market in developed countries. Literally tens of thousands shave with a DE in less fortunate countries, which is what drives DE blade manufacture. The same cannot be said for the feather pro blades.
The blades are and have been being used by many "non-professional" shavers for years in disposeable blade straights or shavettes. All the barbers giving shaves with them now, since they can't use regular straights makes it highly unlikely the price will go up or the blades will go away. The Mongoose has a a good price for a well made stainless steel razor. Compare it to the Cobra for design and price.
In countries where the DE razors are made, in less fortunate countries, the people there cannot afford a razor made there such as a Parker. The price is too high for them. That's why Gillette came out with the cheap plastic single blade aimed at this market in India and other such countries.
I own 5 straights and use them often. Just giving my opinion, and reasons I won't be buying the Mongoose. Still my opinion, and still the reason. To each his own, and ymmv. As I said before, it's a beautifully engineered razor, and I wish the makers all the success they can get.
There are tons of really cheap DEs also aimed at that market. And being used by them, for a long time now. They come up on the 'bay for $2 all day long. They're not buying or using Parkers. Gillette is certainly trying to gain that market share, but the jury's still out.
Like many of us here I already had extra handles to use with my Mongoose. I even bought an Apollo stainless steel handle for it also. But then I went ahead and ordered the Mirror finish head and handle. You just can't have too much shaving gear.
Yes, Gillette is selling the Guard in India and taking away from straight razor and DE razor market. I think DE blades are more likely to stop being made at some point in the distant future than the Feather and Kai and Dorco SE blades. (The Dorco blades are dirt cheap.) Hopefully not, though. And yes, the Mongoose is costly, but not so much for a high quality stainless steel razor. People in poorer countries could get any kind of handle, say the CJB or whatever to hold the disposeable straight blades. The blades last several more shaves than the DE blades, as well. The Mongoose is just a much better deal than the Cobra Classic or Cobra King...for those who can afford it, but basically all these razors, DE's or SE's or just different handles to hold a blade. There's a thread on TSD about someone using GEM SE blade without a handle. That's the cheapest way to go.
I take your point. I just wanted to point out you're getting a good deal for your money compared to Cobra or even some of the Feather and Kai shavettes. The best deal for a good shave is still the Schick injector razors for a minimal cost...or as I've said, the straight razor....if you can just stick to one.
And keep in mind for those on the fence about buying now, Mongoose prices will definitely go up for the next batch. They are selling these for the prices they gave weeks ago, but have found costs of manufacture are much higher than they anticipated.
That's why I went with the Mirror Polished head & handle. They said, (Mongoose team) that the cost of polishing was much higher than expected. They also said they may not even offer the Mirror Polished razor again.
