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I know that a lot of members have a number of razors and rotate their way though them at some rate. Is that to benefit the blades, one's face, or just the need to have a bigger collection (I don't mean this in a pejorative way)?
Also, do you rotate brushes (it seems that some do)? Soaps?
I've come to the conclusion that I rotate through different razors, soaps/creams and brushes simply because I have more than one of each. It is only in the past 4 years or so that I did have more than 1 each thanks to various acquisition disorders. For 40 years before that I got along just fine with one of each and probably still could, Just spoiled by all the options available and don't want to go back. A rotation is a nice luxury if you can afford it but not strictly necessary to obtaining a good shave imo.
Bob
It's basically justification for the various acquisition disorders. Why use 1 razor when you can rotate through 14? :)
I have at least 50 badger brushes,but I only use two of them.
Man certainly is the proverbial collector, what ever his interest maybe ours so happens to be straight razors could you use just one for the rest of your days the answer is definitely yes, the question is would you want to own just one razor when you can have many?
One possible benefit could be honing the blades less often. If you used a blade weekly vs. daily, the edge wouldn't need honing (or 'refreshing') as often. This would also reduce the wear on the blade, but that occurs so slowly I doubt it is really an issue. You see how many old/used razors there are that are still in good condition.
I have two razors I'm learning to shave with (5/8" hollow and a 8/8" wedge). I don't rotate them though, I just grab the one I feel like using. I've got several others I'm fixing up and I would like to get them honed once their finished. I'll probably try them each out and find out which ones I like the best. After comparing them they will probably get narrowed back down to a couple that will be users instead of collectors.
A small rotation (2-3) can be advantageous if sending out for honing to ensure that you always have a shave ready razor. After that you are collecting just to have variety or for collections sake. Soaps and brushes are the same just variety or experimentation.
Variety is the spice of life............
+1Quote:
Originally Posted by DoughBoy68
Bingo!
Ding..Ding..Ding! A winner every time!
Pete <:-}
Y'know when I was a young man I did ironwork for a couple of decades. I found that if I bought two pair of work boots at the same time, and rotated them, it gave each pair time to dry out, and they would last longer than if I only wore the one pair day after day.
The same can be said for shaving brushes. Not that you'll wear one out, I used the same one daily for 35 years before I came around to the forums and caught the AD bug. But aside from liking different brushes for different reasons, it does give them time to dry out.
I've gone for a spell where I used the same shaving soap for an extended period of time, but it is nice to have a rotation of soaps/creams to enjoy the different scents, textures, and characteristics.
With razors I also like different ones for different reasons, and I think it is prudent to have at least one back up in case anything happens to your main shaver. Especially if you don't do your own honing. Other than that, it is enjoyable to have more stuff.
A rotation can be good for determining what type of razor you enjoy using most...width, grind, etc. Variety is also a good reason, though certainly a luxury. But if you have a number of razors, brushes, etc, you may as well use them. Same with anything else, but I see soaps differently, since they offer something to others that razors and brushes don't...a variety of scents. You know that person who clearly loves their cologne/perfume but you can't stand? If you're that guy for someone, having a scent rotation exposes folks to that frustration on a less frequent basis. Plus, your nose becomes a costumed to a scent if you wear it all the time; having a rotation allows you to enjoy the scent you're wearing all the time.
For me it pushes back the amount of time I need to hone razors. Also, I guess I'm just in the mood for different razors sometimes. I even throw a DE razor into my mix sometimes. Just personal preference, but I will say that using just one razor and one razor only, means more touchups and honing it more often.
Plain Lust.
Then get the rest of them in the dang Classifieds & stop hoarding them !!! Attachment 210887Quote:
Originally Posted by pixelfixed
Some days I'm in a Wade & Butcher mood,,,,, some days I'm in a stalking mood, so then its a Puma kind of day.
NO, Not goona happenQuote:
Originally Posted by Hirlau
So there were these two bulls looking down into the valley, at a herd of cows, and the young once says to the older one. “Hey, let’s run down there…
If you want to use the same, single, solitary, lonely razor day after day, then so be it. However, variety is the spice of life. Get a second if you find you don't like changing blades, then sell one and go back to the one. It's good to have choice and what harm can it do... which is why I had two wives... But the judge wasn't impressed!!
It seems like the concensus is "I could probably make due with", but if I really want to enjoy the experience, then "more is better".
I now have 7 blades. See below. I love the variety in styles. One thing not yet mentioned that I've read is: having more than one allows the blade to rest between uses.
Attachment 210918
Attachment 210919
In a similar way that Hirlau stated, different days and moods " require" different razors. I have three racks now: hollow grind 5/8s, small wedges, and 6/8 and up. Depending on my mood and amount of stubble, I choose a rack. Within that, it's whatever blade strikes my fancy at that moment.
Do I need that many razors? Of course not. But it makes shaving even more fun:)
And greed, indeed.Quote:
Originally Posted by Matheus
I am a pretty guilt-free sinner.
Hi, Louie, whazzup? Where are you going with this huge fork? :rock:
F[QUOTE=Longhaultanker;1538018]I now have 7 blades. See below. I love the variety in styles. One thing not yet mentioned that I've read is: having more than one allows the blade to rest between use
Ha but we all know that's just an excuse for more razor but myth in reality,, so buy more razors so you can rest them for months on end!!!!!!! Tc
We need more than one razor for the same reasons a kid needs more than one toy, but in a more grown up, self justifying way.
Don’t forget the French Mood! (TI)
Currently I'm rotating through 9 different razors. They are all different sizes, different grinds, and different tips. I shaved with whichever one fits my mood at the time. Same goes for the brushes I own, different handles, different knot sizes, different lofts, different hairs - choosen based on mood, but sometimes dictated by my soap choice.
I only rotate with three razors and three brushes. I'm going to order a fourth razor pretty soon and I suppose I'll need my fourth Thater brush, too. Doesn't seem to save me much time with honing/refreshing, they all seem to need it about the same time.
A little variety is nice.
I have about 14 blades in my rotation & a few restores to do, but I am currently thinking about reducing this down again to about 2 or 3 blades.
But I know that after I do this the RAD will kick in again.
I've accepted that it's incurable but I'm OK with this.
Cheers Paul
I have 9 blades at the moment . Each one of the nine I really wanted and nothing was more important then getting that blade.
Now I'm constantly honing them.
When one is honed to a level that is beyond comprehension I leave it be and concentrate on other blades.
I guess its kind of like women or owning a few cars.....Its nice to have a different ride to suit you. I own 4 vintage SRs and 3 new and 1 vintage DC. As you get older it is nice to have some collections because you have worked hard and deserve it I guess. The razor thing is cheaper than Rolex watches I guess. Hey we have to shave every day might as well have the lux choice of picking your blade, brush, soap and cologne. It give life a variety with out having to go overboard.
I have 2 new SRs that I want to buy then I will be done for now....oh but there is some shaving bowls, new brushes and lets not forget some new scents of shaving cream and soaps. Also we need new shaving balm and aftershave and cologne for date night. There is always something to spend fun money on.
enjoy is the word.
For me, variety. Plus some razors in my opinion are better in different circumstances. There are 5/8 full hollow days and 6/8 half hollow days. I've stuck to seven or eight, balancing my RAD and my pocket, by selling on the clessifieds or donating to the giveaway. Some days I feel like a badger brush, others boar. Different scents in soaps, aftershaves etc, set a mood so for me it's really about... having fun.
For me, two reasons. The primary reason is interest, I just love shaving with a different razor every day. I could never really understand the idea of a seven day set; as nice as they look it also seems rather boring.
The secondary reason is difference in 'feel'. I rotate six straights, interspersed with a DE or SE from time to time. I follow a more 'aggressive' straight (like my Burrell Top Flight) with a more 'buttery' edge like my Wade and Butcher Special...
Carl
I rotate through 4 blades, 5 brushes, & 6 soaps.
Blades, especially as a novice honer, to have a good edge while wrestling with the others.
Brushes, because I'd get curious about different bristle-types & lofts.
Soaps, because the variety is stimulating, and also the curiosity factor (glycerin or tallow? etc.).
I don't have a rotation. I put two razors in a coffee cup by the sink. I use one razor predominately. However, if that razor fails then I have a second razor on standby. The rotation philosophy begins when I realize I can't guarantee the back-up razor is truly functioning correctly. So, I shave with the back-up occasionally. This leads to a lazy form of rotation.
I think the resting idea is rooted more in giving your face a rest from the same razor, than any real need to rest the steel, but I shave every other day, so I'll probably never know.
No rotation for me. I have three razors. one is rarely used, another occasionally used and a third - my favorite - is used all the time.
It's embarrassing to say this, but for like 6 weeks I've been wondering what this means. I'm sure there's a joke in there somewhere, but I can't find it. Would anyone care to help me understand?Quote:
Originally Posted by Euclid440
Oh, and as for rotations, well I seem to have more hones than razors, so for me it's more like one or two main razors but a different stone each day.
Young bull says lets run down and do some cows. Old one says let's walk and do them all.
It's the first half of a joke. Google "two bulls joke", or "two bulls on a hill".Quote:
Originally Posted by Frankenstein
I'm new to the SR addiction. I started with a Dovo 6/8 Bismarch and a vintage Wade & butcher 6/8 wedge. I have just made it thru the first week and already looking to add to my collection. I have a Boker "king cutter" 11/16 and a Boker "Edelweiss" 5/8 coming any day. I would like to get it to a 7 razor rotation with the best feeling blades. Only one way to find the right feeling blade. Get a lot of em. lol. Can always sell off the ones I don't like and keep moving forward.
I Know I need a thiers-Issard in the mix. NEXT.
