Ockham Razor Launches Kickstarter Campaign for Streamlined Razors Designed Via 3D Printing

To shave or not to shave?

It’s an edgy dilemma today, and a contemporary question more so for men than women, although there are plenty of granola females out there who prefer to eschew the razor off and on, and believe me, the idea has crossed my mind once or twice. Modern men sport more hair than ever though, and it’s completely socially acceptable, from the man-bun to the ponytail and from the goatee to the full beard.

The bottom line is the hair has to come off sometime—and usually at least some of it has to come off on a daily basis. Most will agree that there’s not a better look than the classic, clean-shaven man. The Ockham Razor Company, driven by the idea that shaving should be an ergonomic, tranquil process, knows that the razor is an instrument that you are going to have in your bathroom pretty much, well, forever—and that goes for the male or female.

In the long run, obviously it’s better to purchase something permanent—like in the case of the Ockham Razor Company, a razor that is lasting and supports mainstream cartridges you can buy in any store. We’ve reported on this stylish startup previously, as their 3D printed razor prototype had just been finished earlier in the year.

With the aesthetically pleasing and affordable razor ready to go into production, but with funds needed for manufacturing the tooling for casting the razors, finishing, and packaging, Ockham Razor has launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise £19,000.

“The two new phenomena of crowdfunding and 3D printing were major reasons for me taking the plunge and trying to design and sell a new product,” Ockham founder Rob Hallifax told 3DPrint.com. “They both significantly lower the financial risk in starting a business, and that gives you the chance to test your hypothesis, which is all a new business is at first.”

The Ockham Razor Company was developed in the minimalist vein of inspiration from William of Ockham, a somewhat controversial medieval English friar, theologian, and philosopher. Ockham embraced the idea of simplification in culture and concept, and was responsible for Ockham’s Razor, a problem-solving principle based on choosing the most simple and clear hypothesis.

Designed by The Ockham Company’s founder, Rob Hallifax, the razor is meant to be a utilitarian tool that’s a work of art in its streamlined simplicity.

“The Ockham Razor doesn’t vibrate, it doesn’t have flashing lights or lasers and it definitely can’t tweet or post to your timeline. But that’s why we like it,” says Hallifax and his team.

The goal of the London-based Ockham team was to produce something that would look good in your bathroom, permanently, and be affordable as well. Hallifax also believes in the peaceful, meditative act of shaving in itself, which cannot be attained half as well if you are shaving with a low-quality piece of plastic.

The Ockham razor boasts a slightly longer handle and a more balanced weight, along with a smooth design that doesn’t allow for crevices that harbor germs or product buildup.

“We believe great design shouldn’t be expensive,” says Hallifax, a trained engineer whose work has ranged from that of an artist to an English teacher in the Himilayas. “I like to solve real problems for real people. I care about experience and I think products should always be beautiful as well as useful.”

Hallifax began handcrafting the razors himself, but after a short period of time and frustration turned to 3D design, and then had his prototypes 3D printed by 3D Hubs. Without the progression to 3D printing technology, the team would not have been able to create the streamlined design.

“I’m glad people have crazy ideas and do silly things with it, but for me the incredible power of 3D printing goes way deeper than that,” Hallifax says in his blog. “As I’ve now experienced first hand, 3D printing has become an indispensable tool in the armoury of makers. Without it, the Ockham Razor Company may never have got off the back of the proverbial napkin.”

Kickstarter supporters, depending on their pledges, will all receive one of the quality razors with a cartridge, shipped in cardboard, recycled packaging. Shipping is estimated to be begin in September 2015. Examples of rewards follow:

• At £30 (approximately $44 USD), supporters receive the classic Ockham razor; personalized/engraved at £50.
• At £60 – the special edition black razor; personalized/engraved at £80.
• At £70 – the special edition copper razor; personalized/engraved at £90.

“We care about design and strongly believe that beautiful products are a pleasure to use,” says Hallifax. “If you appreciate a well-crafted watch, the elegant lines of a beautiful pen or, dare I say, a classic typeface, then the Ockham Razor is for you.”

Will you be supporting the Ockham Razor campaign? If so, which razor appeals to you the most? Would you choose to have it engraved? Tell us your thoughts in the Ockham Razor forum thread over at 3DPB.com.