Rockwell Model T Razor and Razor Blades - Shaving, Perfected

October Update - Fully-Assembled Razor!
over 7 years ago – Fri, Oct 28, 2016 at 12:39:12 AM

Dear Backers,

I’ll keep the update short and sweet this month, as next month will be quite meaty! First and foremost:

Assembled Production Razor Pictures!

Pretty self-explanatory - here it finally is!

We’re now going forward with a test manufacturing run to ensure that the Model T parts move and interact as expected. I’ll keep you posted!

A Successful Run!

The Rockwell Chrome Series has officially raised over $100,000! Thank you all for being a part of helping expand Rockwell into new price points to introduce even more people to adjustable classic shaving. If you missed the Kickstarter campaign, it’s not too late! The Chrome Series is going to be live on Indiegogo InDemand until shipping begins. Definitely check it out if you missed the previous updates about the campaign!

Backerkit Surveys

I’ll be partnering with Backerkit to allow for flexible address-adjusting up to the point of shipping. I expect these surveys to go out at the same time as the November Update (November 25th - the last Friday of the month). Stay tuned!

Well, that’s all for now. As usual, please leave and questions or comments in below!

Gareth
Co-Founder, Rockwell Razors

September Update - Chromed Production Parts
over 7 years ago – Fri, Sep 30, 2016 at 12:25:10 AM

Dear Backers,

A Huge Thank You

I wanted to take a moment to thank each and every one of you who have pledged to support not only the Rockwell Model T, but also the Rockwell Chrome Series. To anyone who hasn’t seen the newest campaign, I wanted to make sure you get a look at the finishes offered Chrome Series campaign, because they’re representative of what finishes will be available for the Model T!

First Chromed Production Parts

While the mold tweaks mentioned in the August update are still under way for the parts that are being cast, the machined parts are under final chroming testing and are looking fantastic! Here’s an example of an assembled handle in Brushed Chrome, including the laser-engraved dial numbers.

Packaging

I wanted to do something special for you guys on the packaging, and I think you’re going to love this. The Model T will be delivered in this leather and metal case, with a firm foam for the Model T, blades, and your leather sheath to rest on - the only thing missing from the pictures below are the embossed logo that will be on the final version of the box. Well, that and the razor, obviously.

Needless to say, this isn’t packaging you’ll want to throw away, probably ever.

You’ll also notice the genuine leather sheath in the packaging, as promised!

New Products

One of many unveils to come over the upcoming months, this is the leather travel bag that was widely requested by backers. The final grain of the leather will more closely match the sheath pictured above, and the final price is yet to be finalized, but I wanted to show you all where we’re currently at and see if you had any feedback!

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That’s it for this month, I’m looking forward to all your comments and feedback below!

Gareth

Co-Founder, Rockwell Razors

Introducing: The Rockwell Chrome Series
over 7 years ago – Wed, Sep 21, 2016 at 08:27:16 PM

Dear Backers,

Today, we're excited to announce the newest member(s) of the Rockwell Razors family: the Rockwell Chrome Series.

 

We've received countless requests from backers and customers for a more affordable version of the Stainless Steel Rockwell 6S. The Chrome Series, made of chromed zinc alloy, is made up of two models - the 2C (only Rockwell Sizes 1 and 3) starting from $20, and the 6C (all 6 Rockwell Sizes) starting from $40. The Chrome Series is available in 3 finishes - White Chrome, Gunmetal, and Brushed Chrome, and is only available on Kickstarter!

The Chrome Series will be shipping in March 2016, and will not be disruptive at all to your Rockwell Model T pledge. Even if you don't intend to pledge for a Rockwell Chrome Series, we recommend you check out the page because it features many shots of the exact three finish options you'll have for your Rockwell Model T!

One more thing: we know there are a number of you that are quite passionate about the work we do at Rockwell (thank you!), and we wanted to provide you the opportunity to help shape the future of a Rockwell product.

 

We have a limited number of Rockwell 6C in White Chrome that will be ready to ship out in November 2016. If you pledge to be a Rockwell Superbacker, you'll receive one of these first 750 razors, be able to give feedback on the construction and performance, and then get another Rockwell 6C (in the finish of your choice) in March 2017! We'll be taking your feedback into consideration while making mold and finishing tweaks before the full manufacturing run for the March 2017 shipment.

As always, feel free to respond to drop a comment on this update, or send us a message if you have any questions about the Rockwell Chrome Series - I’d love to help!

Gareth
Co-Founder, Rockwell Razors

August Update - New Finish Options
over 7 years ago – Sat, Aug 27, 2016 at 12:19:23 AM

Dear Backers,

I’ll get right to it!

New Finishes

You asked, and I’ve been working away at making it happen with our chroming facility for a few months now. After extensive testing, we finally reached a chroming solution that meets my durability standards - so here it is: The Model T (and the optional Rockwell Stand) will be available in three finishes. Space Grey (pictured in the initial campaign), Classic Chrome, and (my personal favourite) Gunmetal. 

Because of manufacturing minimums and some limitations based on which finishes can be manufactured while retaining durability, these are the three finishes that will be available when surveys go out. Please note these are early renderings - they may be a shade or two different in mass production, but I'll have final pictures of each finish before you have to lock down the finish for your Model T. I hope you love them - best of luck picking one for your Model T!

New Products

Last month you guys were extremely helpful in helping me pick the handle design for the upcoming Rockwell Brush - your votes helped me decide to go with handle design C. Now I’m just finalizing the knot materials and customizing the bristles - I expect to have more to show you in 60 days or so!

Small Tweaks

After initial testing of the molds and further discussions with the manufacturer, I’ve realized there was an opportunity to slim down the geometry of the head of the razor just by a bit. I believe this will make the Model T even better, and the modifications to the molds will not throw off the March delivery timeline. For now I can only offer you a humble rendering, but here’s a more “zoomed-in” view of the tweaked geometries (in gunmetal, of course).

Question of the Month

I have something I've struggled with, that I think some of you may be able to help with. As you know, Rockwell makes razors that adjust to everyone's unique skin type or hair length, and can be adjusted mid-shave to best suit spots of thicker hair (that require a higher size) or sensitive skin (that require a smaller size). I've noticed that this is an easy concept to explain to those familiar with safety razors, or when I have a whole Kickstarter page to explain, but is a challenging concept to explain in 3 written sentences or 30 seconds to others. So here's where you come in: how would you explain razor adjustability to someone not familiar with safety razors or Rockwell Kickstarter campaigns?

Come Hang Out!

I’ll be at the MenEssentials Meetup near downtown Toronto on October 1st - if you swing by, by then I'll be able to show you all the new finishes for the Model T in person! If you’re interested in coming though,  it's super important that you please RSVP in advance here. I hope to see you there!

Follow Us On Kickstarter!

Kickstarter recently rolled out a "follow" feature on Kickstarter. If you like the work I do, I definitely suggest taking a minute to follow Rockwell Razors on Kickstarter (just hit the "follow" button next to Rockwell Razors) to make sure you're the absolute first to hear about any Rockwell-related news!

That's it for now - the next update is scheduled for the last Friday of next month - September 30th!

Gareth
Co-Founder, Rockwell Razors

July Update - First Machined Parts!
over 7 years ago – Fri, Jul 29, 2016 at 12:48:51 AM

Dear Backers, 

Production is still on schedule! Here’s a quick rundown: The molds are currently in initial testing and will likely go through several rounds of revisions (this is totally normal and was budgeted for in the production schedule). We’re just about dialed in on the parts that are machined (rather than cast) - there are pictures in this update! The next update will be on Friday, August 26th. Finally, please do actually scroll down this update to the survey link because I need your help deciding on the future of some Rockwell products. 

Production 

As mentioned, the molds are currently in testing, and are still on schedule. Here’s a picture of the aforementioned machined parts (before chroming). The details on the dial will be done by laser, rather being cast into the brass, because it looks frickin’ great. Of course, the final product will be chromed, but I wanted to give you guys an early behind-the-scenes look. 

New Products 

This is something I’ve been working on for a while, that I’m eager to get your feedback on: the upcoming Rockwell Brush. This is the first product I’m making that isn’t strictly razor-related, and as a result, I absolutely want to get it right. That’s where you guys come in - which handle shape do you like most? Here’s a link to a 1-minute survey where I’d love if you could rank your favourite shapes (1 being most favorite, 11 being least favorite). 

Question of the Month 

Would you like to see more video content in these updates? If yes, what are you most interested in seeing? If no, is there something else you’d like to see that I’m not currently sharing? 

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Reading List 

I want Rockwell backers to be excited to read these updates. As part of that, I want this footer section to be cross-promotion (advertising) free - contrary to typical crowdfunding behaviour. Instead, I’d like to use these updates to get to know my backers better. I get through over 100 books a year and every so often I come across one that’s really share worthy - so I figure I’ll share one of these books in each month’s update! As you’re a backer of this campaign, I suspect we share at least a few interests, so hopefully you’ll enjoy at least few of these books as much as I have. If you’ve read it, or dive in based on this recommendation, let me know what you think in the comments! 

Seven Brief Lessons on Physics: A phenomenal introduction to to modern physics, presented as coherently and as digestibly as I’ve ever read. It’s also a reminder of how much of our universe is yet to be discovered, and how many of our currently-held beliefs are ripe for disruption. It's also short enough to read in one afternoon - I recommend doing precisely that, on a Sunday, with a cold beer in hand (or other preferred beverage)

Gareth
Co-Founder, Rockwell Razors