Does "Artisan made" equal quality?

[UKRob]

There is a similar argument applied to 'custom made'. When looking at straight razors there are quite a few makers who will make a blade to a specification - that to me is a real custom blade. However you can get problems when the same maker offers a range of options in terms of say steel type, blade size, dimensions and scale material. If I specify my requirement it's deemed to be a custom made item - however, I could visit his store and find the exact same razor already on offer - which seems to negate the custom classification.

 

[SeanC]

Quality can apply or not apply equally to both artisan and mass production. Where artisans usually score more highly is when it comes to creativity.

 

[Chris]

As a friend of mine recently remarked: "anyone can push a button on a computer-controlled machine."

But not just anyone can design the parts and then program the machine. It may not be the same skills as operating a lathe, but it definitely requires skill.

To address the original question, to me "artisan" in this context simply means that whatever it is is produced probably in smallish numbers by an independent person / team as opposed to a big conglomeration. Some of them are truly excellent, but the artisan moniker doesn't necessarily mean that it will be.

 

[PLANofMAN]

...
Switch our eyes States-side and I am sorry to say, but I do see a huge factory with a random name generator down the far end of a conveyer belt churning out stickers for pots. I've tried a LOT and I have yet to be impressed. I fear the desire to turn any kind of first success into a business is the primary instinct and that is not artisan - that's just amateur. Artisan takes time, reflection, appreciation and a desire for constant improvement. Cash success is secondary.

...

I should point out that at least half of the "artisan" soap makers in the U.S. use a generic bulk shaving soap purchased from the largest soap ingredient retailer in the U.S.

They then add their own cocktail of scents to the soap and congratulate themselves for being an "artisan soap maker."

 

[Redd]

In a word.... no.

 

[Merkurologist]

A very interesting topic. I'm not quite the artisan that we are used to seeing on these forums.... I'm full of admiration for those people that can mold a rotating object by feel and vision.

As a hobbie, I taught myself to build bicycle wheels a few years ago. Now people pay me to build their wheels.... which is something like football players getting paid to play ... obviously not on the same financial reward scale.

I'm trying to remember your whole post.... but there was a bit where I thought "why do I bother spending the time in trying to create something beautiful, strong, reliable, etc,etc?"
For me the answer is very simple.... pride in what I produce. That's the only thing that is on my mind, quality.
At the beginning of the year I had a problem with a rear wheel..... it was rather noisy and I spent hours in testing, taking the hub apart, servicing and putting everything together... but nothing worked to my entire satisfaction. I eventually rebuilt the wheel with a new hub. It turned out that the small store I bought the hub from had built the hub with one very small incompatible part . (I try to support small British business..... not that one anymore though)
After all that, I was happy to see a happy customer. That is one reason to go hand made, artisan, etc.

Most reputable builders will not use inexpensive parts to compete with factory made wheels.... so that is another reason not to go factory made.

All factory wheels look the same. Going hand made / artisan you can be unique.


Wheel builders have a small window where they make a difference. Simply because what it is available to us component wise. We can seriously build much better wheels in that price bracket £200 - £500. Then we are compiting with companies that build their own components and also build good wheels. £500+ so in that respect I have to be honest to my customer and say if you have a £1000 to spend on a set of wheels.... I can't buy the parts at a competitive price. Go directly and save cash.

I'm thinking that brush, razor and soap making is different for most people but I'm sure that pride and passion are words on these people's mind.

 

[ESBrushmaker]

There is a similar argument applied to 'custom made'. When looking at straight razors there are quite a few makers who will make a blade to a specification - that to me is a real custom blade. However you can get problems when the same maker offers a range of options in terms of say steel type, blade size, dimensions and scale material. If I specify my requirement it's deemed to be a custom made item - however, I could visit his store and find the exact same razor already on offer - which seems to negate the custom classification.

What a great point! To me, "custom made" connotes collaboration between patron and maker. The patron (I don't care for the word, "customer") lists his--and increasingly her--requirements which, in the case of a brush, typically include handle style and material, knot type, size, and loft while the maker has responsibility to evaluate the practicality of those requirements and, when necessary, offer suggestions to either mitigate potential problems and/or improve the end product. The objective being to ensure the patron's delight.

I should also add that when--not if!--the patron's requirements are either totally impractical or exceed the maker's capabilities, the maker is under obligation to suggest alternatives or, if the patron resists, then to politely decline the commission rather than attempt to produce an unsatisfactory product.

 

[1morepasswill]

Unfortunately the values Brad holds dear are not always shared by everyone who calls themselves an "Artisan" be it soap , brushes or otherwise. Some people in this game whom I have bought from have did everything the can to wriggle out of the responsibilities they assume when they offer a service under the banner that most of us are right to assume should mean high quality , not only in product but in customer service as well. So at the risk of repeating what everyone else has said , no ; Artisan does not equal quality but for the most part for me it has.

What I expect or assume from an artisan is a product by its very nature will not have flaws but perfect imperfection , if that makes any sense. A true artisan would be someone who doesn't necessarily have to take a huge amount of time to produce ( by default) but with the skill and ability they would possess to call themselves an artisan will produce a product of obvious quality that would be apparent immediately and that time , skill , attention to detail and a love for what they do and produce will all have came together in perfect proportion.

There is a place for mass produced if uninspiring mathematically "perfect" products but we all know what we are willing to pay for each and do so accordingly. The character of true artisans when dealing with them is also what I'm paying for and investing my time in because as I've said some who are not true artisans but claim to be are mainly interested in their bottom line. That is important but if a product delivered by a true artisan for whatever reason does not meet the usual high standards I've found the over riding factor for them is to resolve any issues of dissatisfaction ( often at their cost) to maintain their standing and product name rather than trying to claw back any money lost as in the case of so called "artisans" out there.

 

[Gordy]

I should point out that at least half of the "artisan" soap makers in the U.S. use a generic bulk shaving soap purchased from the largest soap ingredient retailer in the U.S.

They then add their own cocktail of scents to the soap and congratulate themselves for being an "artisan soap maker."

Do we know who any of these soap makers are? Half is a lot!

 

[PLANofMAN]

Do we know who any of these soap makers are? Half is a lot!

The vast majority are not huge sellers. Think Etsy and eBay.

 

[Gordy]

The vast majority are not huge sellers. Think Etsy and eBay.

So none of the bigger names in the US that we'd know, for example, Catie's, Mikes, retail names mostly?

 

[PLANofMAN]

So none of the bigger names in the US that we'd know, for example, Catie's, Mikes, retail names mostly?

I remember reading a thread years ago about how many of the "Artisan" soap makers were buying shaving soap base, and in some cases, their own custom soaps with custom packaging. The so-called "artisans" actually had nothing to do with the creative process other than picking the scent blend and labels.

It's been so long ago, I don't remember the thread title or even which forum it was on, or the vendors mentioned.

At that time, there was only one big soap making supply vendor and it was a simple process of comparing the ingredients list to the vendor's ingredient list.