Rotating Rotations of Rotated Rotary Rote

I keep seeing discussions of "rotations" of everyone's shavers... so I guess my question is, how often should I switch razors? I'm especially keen on extending edge life of each razor yet setting up a pattern such that when one needs to hit the hones (which for now, at least, means I'll have to ship it out) and still have one that shaves smoothly.

I have two razors, a duck Satinedge and an Ern no.126. Currently I favor the Ern as its light weight seems more manageable especially when I attempt to scrape the dome (I have yet to have a nick-free head shave off the duck). But should I really be leaving the duck in the drawer with a coat of oil (its current state)?

My current plan is to wait until its time to ship out the Ern for honing and then break out the duck and then be using that; I figure that by the time the Ern is returned I will be used to the duck's heft and it'll be my "favorite"...until it needs to get honed and and the Ern takes its place, becomes a "favorite" and the cycle begins anew. Ad infinitum.

But in the shave o' the day threads, it seems the same guys have a different razor every day...should I be doing that instead?

Thanks!

I don't think it really matters. I think they way you are doing is just as fine as the switching everyday. The only upside to switching to a different razor everyday instead of switching out every few months is that you don't get proficient with one razor and not the others. Of course switching out every day downside would be that when its time for one to get honed its probably time for the other to get honed and when they are out for honing (if your not going to do it yourself) then you have no razors with which to shave and thus you need to buy another one....actually thats not a bad idea.

Of course like you said when you send out the ERN to get honed you will be forced to use the DD you won and get used to it. If you still don't like it then I will trade you the GENCO that I got for the second place prize....It shaves great and is one of my favorites now if not my absolute favorite.

Each razor is different, but your face remains the same. So, while stylistic adaptations might be required for each one, due to size, grind, point, and weight, the underlying technique remains the same.

With only two razors, I'd be alternating them like underwear: one day on, one day off, and wash 'em both on Saturday.

Many of us use a different razor every shave. I have enough to use a different razor every day for 2 & 1/2 weeks. And I think I have a small rotation compared to some others. The base idea of 2 razors is to have 1 shaevable blade at all times. You could use one then the other alternating days, weeks etc or one till it requires honing then the other till it requires honing. It depends what works for you. As you will note much of this is ymmv. All ways work its just what works best for you

Yes, my ultimate goal is to keep one shaving at all times; I think rotating every day would get them dulling at least close to evenly, which would mean I'd be razorless when they require honing at the same time.

If I send a blade to CS or SRD for honing, how long does that usually take before I get it back? Just on average... if it's the sort of case where I'd have my blade back in less than two weeks, well that means a 2 week rotation cycle would work, but if it takes longer it may make more sense for me to cycle as they dull...

The one time I sent my razor out it was to some one on here that didn't do pro honing and they offered to do it because they had some free time and they lived somewhat close to me. I sent it out thursday and it was back monday or tuesday. So I don't know how long it takes. Maybe Glen or one of the others will tell you how long there turn around time is.

Only 3 straights are in my rotation at a time, but I use a DE Gillette 3 to 4 times a week also,,,so my straights get plenty of rest.

I decided on a 14 day rotation for no known reason and have 14 different razors and a variety of grinds and points. I think the reason I went this way is that I have a new challenge each morning and have to get the brain going to remember how this particular blade shaves and see if I can do it without pseudo suicide (nicks and weepers). Today was my 4/8 Spike. Gotta work on alleviating memory loss. Face 60, nicks and weepers 40.

I pick my razors pretty much whatever I feel like shaving with. Yesterday, my skin got a bit sensitive and rashy, so this morning, I took my smoothest shaver. I have favourites that get most of the use and others just sit there and wait for attention. Come to think of it, prettier razors get more shaves.

To prevent dulling at the same rate, you could use one on work days and the other in weekends. Or buy more razors ;)