$100,000 Iridium Razor with Sapphire Blades & Platinum Screws By Zafirro.

A $100,000 razor? Damn, that had better be one close shave.


above photo by Leah Verwey

The Zafirro Iridium razor is custom made from the strongest, purest, and most durable materials available anywhere. The handle centerpiece is crafted of Iridium, a rare metal - ten times rarer than platinum - and the most corrosion-resistant metal known. Iridium is frequently used in rocket components because it can withstand temperatures as high as 2000 degrees celsius and is one of the most durable substances found on earth.



The sapphire blades are hypoallergenic, oxidization and corrosion resistant and Zafirro claims that due to their sharpening process using ionized particles, are five thousand times thinner than a human hair.



The pure platinum screws, engraved serial numbers and the option for a personal monogram add to the exclusivity of the razor, of which only 99 will be produced.

The following text is from the manufacturer:

Introducing Zafirro Iridium


How do you inaugurate a new era of technology – not an incremental step forward, but a quantum leap: from vacuum tubes to transistors, CB radios to the iPhone? The introduction of the first razor with sapphire blades poses that challenge. The Zafirro Iridium is our answer. Utilizing expertise in fields as varied as rocket engine manufacturing, nanotechnology, and particle physics, the Zafirro Iridium combines some of the rarest, strongest, and most technically advanced materials in existence. The resulting combination of exotic materials pushes the boundaries of technology while creating an aesthetic that could be the centerpiece of a gallery collection.

Due to the rarity of the materials, and the expense associated with manufacturing, production of the Iridium line is extremely limited.


Pure Sapphire Blades


The result of years of R&D, utilizing experts from around the world, our solid white sapphire blades launch a new era of shaving. Hypoallergenic, impervious to oxidation and corrosion, and an order of magnitude more durable than any other shaving blade.

Atomically Sharp


Zafirro sapphire blades are sharpened using high-energy, ionized particles creating a blade edge less than 100 atoms across, or 5000 times thinner than a human hair.

10 Year Blade Life Guarantee

Zafirro provides complementary servicing and professional cleaning for Iridium customers, as well as resharpening if necessary, to make sure your razor remains one of the most advanced and finely tuned consumer products. Ten years of servicing is included.

Pure Iridium Centerpiece


The razor handle centerpiece is 99.95% pure iridium, the strongest and densest functional metal on the planet, mainly derived from meteorites, and 10 times more rare than platinum. One of the primary uses of iridium has been rocket engine components because of its extreme durability.

Pure Platinum Screws


The platinum hexagonal screws on the Zafirro Iridium are custom machined to extremely tight tolerances on CNC Swiss screw micromachines designed for advanced biotech applications. The screws are 99.95% pure platinum, a far higher purity than most expensive jewelry.

Due to the limited global supply of iridium and the expense associated with manufacturing, only 99 of the Iridium line will be made. Each razor is engraved with a serial number to ensure authenticity, and can be monogrammed to your specifications.

Limited Edition of 99, price $100,000.00 (£62,631)
To order you must contact them by e-mail

UPDATE: Zafirro Gold is now also available. The same razor only crafted of titanium and 18k gold in limited quantities. $18,000.00





Zafirro is a Bright Light Ventures company. The Bright Light team has dedicated the majority of the last three and a half years to the research and development required to bring this new technology to market. Expertise in fields as varied as rocket engine manufacturing, nanotechnology, and particle physics were required as well as manufacturing and technology expertise from around the world. Zafirro is now an independent company but will continue to draw on the Bright Light team’s expertise and resources as it grows and expands its product line.

all images courtesy of Zafirro

Lucian Freud Remembered. Images of (and links to) his Astounding Work.

above: Lucian Freud self-portrait (one of many), Reflection, 2005

British realist, figurative and portrait painter Lucian Freud, who was one of the greatest artists of our time, passed away at the age of 88 on July 20th.

Noble Handcrafted Tonics. Syrups And Vinegars That Taste As Good As They Look.

I was seduced by the packaging of these beautiful maple syrups and vinegar tonics distributed by Seattle-based Mikuni Wild Harvest when I spotted them on GiltTaste.com so I researched them a little further.



According to an article by Janet McCracken for Bon Appetit, the Vancouver based tonics, have been popping up on the menus of chic restaurants and are favored by chefs like Thomas Keller and Mario Batali for their specialty produce.




The Noble Handcrafted Tonics, of which there are five thus far (rumor has it they will be introducing a molasses) are beautifully packaged in attractive glass bottles with cork stoppers, melted wax and labels reminiscent of Knob Creek Whisky.




The elegant package design was created by Graphic Designer and Wedding photographer Heather Nguyen of Vancouver.


Noble Tonic 01 -Tuthilltown Bourbon Barrel Matured Maple Syrup


NOBLE didn't choose just any bourbon to create the subtly spiked edge of Tonic 01. Tuthilltown Spirits is New York's first whiskey distillery since prohibition, distilling some of America's most prized spirits. Their handmade bourbons, produced with locally sourced grain and fruit farmed less than 10 miles away, contain no added flavor or color and are not chill or carbon filtered. Tonic 01, originally sourced from heritage sugar shacks in the ancient maple orchards of Quebec, has a hint of raw bourbon flavor thanks to 6 to 9 months spent in New York State's Tuthilltown Distillery's charred American oak barrels.

Bon Appetit says "Like we said, this is made for candied bacon. I would not say no to some corn johnny cakes with this, either." $20


Noble Tonic 02 - Tahitian Vanilla Bean & Egyptian Chamomile Blossom Matured Maple Syrup


To harness the unmistakable flavor of Tahitian Vanilla and the buttery, apple aroma of Egyptian Chamomile Blossom, the artisans behind NOBLE's Tonic No. 02 infuse maple syrup with the blossoms and vanilla beans. We absolutely love the floral aromas in this maple syrup with toasty corn bread, or as a substitute for brown sugar in cinnamon buns.

Bon Appetit says "This syrup is more delicate, and in order to taste the chamomile and vanilla, I would eat this on some plain greek yogurt or a simple waffle." $20


Noble Tonic 03 - Maple Matured Sherry Bourbon Oak Vinegar


This vinegar's truly unique flavor is developed while aging in bourbon oak barrels at Tuthilltown Distillery in New York State. For 6 to 9 months, NOBLE ages genuine Spanish sherry vinegar in bourbon barrels, received only one day after the bourbon has been drained.

Bon Appetit says "If you mix this with a terrific olive oil, it becomes a dressing for a Spanish salad of greens, marcona almonds, and manchego." $18


Noble Tonic 04 -Pharaoh's Heirloom Lemon Matured White Wine Vinegar


Tonic 04 is a 5-year barrel aged, white wine vinegar infused with organic, heirloom Egyptian lemon peel. The bright, sweet and citrusy flavors are balanced by woody, spicy flavors from NOBLE's barrel aging process at Tuthilltown Distillery in New York State.

Bon Appetit says "I really like the idea of vinegary beverages, like kombucha or Pok Pok's new drinking vinegar, Som, and this is so good that I would mix it with soda water and drink it like that. The lemon flavor is complex and spicy, and brings a unique brightness to the flavor." $20


Noble Tonic 05 - XO Aged Balsamic Vinegar


"XO" signifies refinement and age in the world of Cognac. This extraordinary vinegar is no different. Tonic 05 is a sweet, syrupy refined finishing vinegar. After aging for 3-4 months in New York State's Tuthilltown Distillery's Single Grain Bourbon barrels, the lids are removed and replaced with cheesecloth to allow for evaporation. This unique air aging process concentrates and enhances flavors of bourbon and vanilla.

Bon Appetit says "This splurge is on par with any good balsamic. We like to keep it simple, drizzled over asparagus or vanilla ice cream." $95

Buy them here or at GiltTaste.com if you are a member. If you are not, feel free to use my personal invite link.

photos courtesy of Gilt.com, Mikuni and Heather Nguyen

Cutest Smoke Detector Ever. The Chick-A-Dee Chirps You To Safety.

Smoke alarms, which are traditionally functional rather than decorative, are a vital tool to help protect your home and your loved ones. That's why the Dutch Association of Insurers held a competition to design fire prevention solutions, with entries from students taking various design courses in the Netherlands.



The Chick-a-Dee® by Louise van der Veld was the winning entry. The Chick-a-Dee is a well-designed smoke alarm in the shape of a bird.





The bird is perched on a branch, which also serves as a mounting system. The Chick-a-Dee ® comes in 5 color variations and can easily be fitted to the ceiling.




The Chick-a-Dee design is based on the clip-on birds one often sees as decorations on Christmas trees. The designer chose this shape because birds have always been known for their warning calls. It is a well-known fact that that birds warn each other of danger by calling loudly. In the previous century, miners used to take canaries in small cages with them into the mine, because these birds are sensitive to poisonous gases such as carbon monoxide. These gases are both colourless and odourless and can hardly be sensed by man. As soon as the canaries showed even the slightest sign of distress (by no longer singing and chirping) it was a clear signal to evacuate the mine as quickly as possible. The bird's presence gave the miners both a secure and pleasant feeling.




The Chick-a-Dee ® takes its name and appearance from the American Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapilla). This name is a tribute to its warning call, the phonetic Chickadee sound. At the smallest threat, the bird calls chick-a-dee-dee, and in more serious circumstances, the call becomes a loud dee-dee-dee sound. As soon as smoke is detected a 85 db alarm signal is activated. The alarm signals that the battery is dead by playing by playing the alarm signal. Under normal conditions, a control light flashes once a minute. The Chick-a-Dee can be tested by pressing the test button. The batteries are easy to replace.



The Chick-a-Dee smoke detector was specially designed for the Baby and Kids market. The Chick-a-Dee smoke detector is equipped with a 1.5 year battery lifetime and a three-year warranty. Dimensions: length 17 cm, width 17 cm, height 12 cm


images and product description courtesy of Chick-A-Dee and The Initiator and Company

Buy it here

Or buy it directly from Chick-a-Dee in various colors here.