I remember reading a recommendation somewhere that you should start out with at least 2 razors. I don't know what the rationale was. Has anyone else heard that? It seems from reading here that most are starting with one, which makes sense to me.
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I remember reading a recommendation somewhere that you should start out with at least 2 razors. I don't know what the rationale was. Has anyone else heard that? It seems from reading here that most are starting with one, which makes sense to me.
While you really only NEED one, many of us have accumulated more. In my case I have about 12 now although I really use just a few regularly. In my mind the main reason for having so many is that to begin with I didn't know what I would like or what would work best for me.
My first was a 4/8 that I thought would do better around a mustach but now I find I prefer a 6/8 or even a 7/8. I also find that I like a round end a bit better than a spike. So after a while my desire for another razor has diminished to where I look for something exceptional. I still bid on eBay but no longer get into bidding wars. I set a max price I'm willing to pay and if I lose - so what - there will always be another.
So if you would like to acquire a few more - go for it. I would just recommend trying a few different makes and styles to find the one you like best. :tu
You need 1 well honed razor and you need 1 person (you) to learn how to strop the well honed razor, I am not sure what the rationale is behind having 2 razors.
Well, you will probably want one razor honed by a pro and one junker to practice your honing on. Its also nice to have a second or third razor in case your go-to razor gets dull or otherwise has an accident. That way, you have a back-up or two. :D
Jordan
There's a body of opinion that a razor should be rested for more than 24 hours between uses. In that case you would require two to alternate if you shave daily. A lot of members here seem to think this is a marketing ploy by razor manufacturers - I don't know who's right but I use the same razor daily and don't notice any problems.
Being a newbie, I put forth an order for a pair which I dare to learn to hone on myself. And a special third one that I can look at and call my precious:bow. Won't be able to buy it till the 29'th though :/
Unless you plan to send one to get honed by a honemeister this is not a good idea.Quote:
Originally Posted by Chady
My problem with this recommendation (and something someone may know the answer to) is what did barbers do? If a barber can do a haircut and shave in 1/2 an hour, and works 8 hours, that would be 16 razors per day for him. Did they really have that many? :shrug:Quote:
Originally Posted by trewornan
If they didn't, you have to assume that it is not a "real" reason, but a "luxury" thing like the 7 day sets.
Jim
I don't know about anyone else but I clucked my razor on the faucet during my second shave ever. Ended my shaving practice until I could ship it out and get it back. I wish I had had two. Since then I have been more vigilant but still sometimes one or another of my razors comes up dull for no real reason other than use, it's sometime a few days before I can get to them even though I do my own sharpening now. I'm very glad I have more than one razor on these rare occasions
I'm currently half-shopping for number two. I'll only buy one if I really find a deal, and probably only from the BST forum here. It'll be nice to have a backup and to try something new.
I had several razors when I was learning to shave and hone.
I have 1 razor now, but I may purchase another in the future.
- Scott
Soooooooo what you guys are saying here, is that RAD really is a disease, and I have it ??????
:roflmao :roflmao :roflmao
Quote:
Originally Posted by gssixgun
Yup, sounds like it. :D
These replies all put a very helpful perspective on things. Yes, I guess what I'd heard was something like "a blade needs to rest a day between shaves." I've read the same thing about pipes. For pipes I could understand the reasoning, not so much for razors. But having a backup, now that makes sense.
Not to mention the whole RAD thing.
I don't believe it for pipes either. You want to let the moisture from one burn dissipate but as long as you don't chain them I generally think you are pretty good with a couple of hours between smokes. That said I did always let my Merchams (sp?) dry out well between smokes but compared to my cheap briar's they are the pride of my collection. Of course now that it's been several years since I lit anything up it's kind of moot for me
I have been back in straight shaving for just a few weeks now after a long hiatus. I started with one, then got a second a week later, then they bred like rabbits. I have 10 now, all vintage. Polishing and restoring blades and making custom scales for most of them, with another 4 that I am watching very closely.
I currently have one, with a backup shavette that I started out with. I'll prob get another one in a month or so...Maybe when I get my tax return I can pick up the Dovo Micarta that I've been looking at.
I've got a Dovo for everyday use and my Wapi which I first learned on. I still use the Wapi quite often though, it isn't just a backup.
I have one that I use right now, one I'm
restoring for use, a Wapi on the way and
will probably buy a new one when I get
my tax money back. I also have about ten
that I will be restoring and selling.
John
30 or 40 will get you started pretty good.
http://straightrazorpalace.com/images/icons/icon1.gif How many razors to start?
Well the perfect number of razors to have is:
Just ONE more!!!
I was browsing through my heath insurance book to see if I could find a specialist that can cure me of this disease... Un?fortunately there were none...:shrug:
Quote:
Originally Posted by gssixgun
I was reading this old post and find it interesting that a razor would need rest between shaves. And the age old question of how many razors to have. For me 1 is to many and a 1000 is not enough. Any newer thoughts on these topics 8 years later?
I've had many, always wanting more, but I settled on two razors in the end and got rid of all the others.
I did have an irrational fear of something happening to my razors :confused: so I needed more!
If you're generally very careful and can take care of a razor well, I don't see the reason for more than 1. However, accidents do happen... If you send it out to be honed and need to be clean shaven, it might behoove someone to have 2.
There's plenty of room in my shave cabinet for a few more. Although now days I have refined and confined my purchases to brand new or NOS vintage. I don't use a razor twice in a row because I enjoy the variety.
You only need one razor to start -- the addiction. From there nature will take its course. After you've bought about your 10th, if you are married, your wife will take over this topic with, "How many razors does one man need?"
I say aim for 10 then take stock, you will then realise you need at least another 4 that will take you up to 14 that gives you 2 two week sets, then you will definitely need a few Japanese + a couple of Heljestrands including a big Wade & Butcher FBU a couple of big Greaves, now we are just getting started.:D
I have 3 straights (1 at work and 2 at home) they are all special in some way or I would only have 2. I do also own one S/E safety razor which has recently come back into service for head shaving. I could probably learn to shave my head with a straight (per how I did the original haircut) however I find it a bit clumsy and also blunts my razor too quickly.
I have 4 shave ready razors, they all different: 1 small NOS Kiebitz, 1 new TI with French nose, 1 old USSR round point, 1 old W&B with square point.
Except that I have 1 restored razor form my grandfather, now it nice and polished, but have problem with geometry and can't be used.
So basically all my razors different and I use them all.
Technically I don't need any more, but still I have at least 2 which will added to my collection: Chinese ZY razor on which I want to practice in honing and have it as travel razor. And I will receive exchange razor from Whippeddog which I also want to make as travel razor or have at my parents house.
So basically you will never stop, always will find excuse to by more.
Recently I get my USSR razor and I really loved it, I can easily buy now 2-3 shave ready razors in excellent conditions for only 20$ each, they easily can be find in local classifieds. You can't imagine how difficult to resist RAD
No offense, but I don't think many barbers were busy enough to do 16 shaves/day, AND one can use the same razor (if well cared for and stropped correctly) for many shaves but barbers did have more than one (probably 5 or 6 in rotation), just like most mechanics have more than 2 screwdrivers. Razors were one of a barbers tools.
The point for you (unless you're a trained experienced barber, to have more than one is that they get dull over time, faster if you're new and not stropping and shaving well, and it's good to have one to shave with while you send the other out to be honed. Honing is not as easy as it looks, and quality stones are not inexpensive, nor are the razors which many new honers mess up learning to hone.
So, IMO, you need at least two, and if you enjoy it you will want more, for variety's and experiences sake. I have about 15. Many on here have hundreds.
Put another way, you've asked the wrong people :rofl2: ... but two is a minimum, I would say.Quote:
Originally Posted by jcarey9149
I know I'm one of the folks who subscribe to the minimum 2 razors and the reason is that "One is none, and two is one".Quote:
Originally Posted by rastewart
As pointed out earlier, it takes very little to put a razor out of service, a bad stropping, a light tap on the faucet in the sink or when putting it down... there are a myriad of reasons and when one of them happens, you can't shave with a straight until your get your straight razor repaired or honed, unless you have a second one.
There is no need for 2 new razors, or one for that matter.... vintage razors are just as good, if not better than some new razors. A couple of razors in good condition, shave ready, from the SRP classifieds should cost less than one new quality razor, and you will have an equally comfortable shave. A new razor is like a new car, it attracts err.... shall we call them "whoopsies"? My last new car was a magnet for dents in the parking lots, scratches... bird presents from heaven, you name it... Now it's 6+ years old and who cares! <grin>
So, I would much rather see someone starting out with a pair of vintage razors, so even if something goes badly, there's always that second razor to tie a gent over, until the first razor can be honed/repaired/replaced. Using only one razor and barring any mishaps, there's still the need for that second razor when you send the first one out for honing. Naturally, that is why I have about 30 razors, divided into a "Dull" pile and a "Sharp" pile! I like to save my razors up for honing so that I can make it worthwhile getting the hones, my bench and myself wet. I find I rarely get around to honing my razors when I want or need to, it's more of a whenever I can find the time.
One last advantage to the 2 razor deal is that you can keep that spare, sharp razor, at the ready so that if, by chance, you are not happy with the razor you are using, you can just grab the next one and keep on shaving. It's true that with experience, you won't often need that second razor, but I have been caught with a razor I was sure I'd honed to perfection, only to find myself reaching for the backup because it was harsh, or pulled, or [insert reason here]. Without that second blade, yer stuck.
Regards
Christian
I agree with you 100%
Always a good idea to have a back up.... the more the merrier.
I've been in the situation where I had only 1 razor....... Talk about being paranoid in handling it. If anything happened to it...... Nothing to shave with. Always good to have a back up.
:beer1:
Are you sure you want to shave this way?
It is a way of life, . Call it lifestyle.
If you have one. Well honed by a stand up lifestyler you are good.
That is a big if. Right now do you really know what you like??
2 gives you options. There are many shapes and sizes to sort through.
You have to learn your face in a whole new way. Hair growth. 10 razors and I found what I liked. 50 and I was amazed at all the options and face feels.
You have to learn what you like. 2 razors is a hook. buy in for the Line and sinker.
One. No need for another until you realize this whole program is worth the effort. If that's the case, buy another..or two..or
I started with one and kept only that one for about 6 months. At that time, I had to send my razor out to be honed and it left me without one:mad:
Of course that was unacceptable and I had to buy a second. Then I had to buy a third as another backup...
I agree with kaptain_zero. I started with one, to see if I liked it, and then got a second so that I wouldn't have to go to my DE (although that is another strategy) during sharpening. After a year now, I have four, mostly because, as well as having spares, I can try different sizes, styles, and grinds. I bought new for my first one, and got the free honing, and then tried some vintage razors, and later another new one.
The vintage ones, for me, are harder to hone myself, than the new ones. May have just been the luck of the draw though (I've read some people had some difficulty with new razor honing - may not have been the razor though).
It's pretty easy, as a beginner, to have a blade deteriorate in comfort quickly, due to stropping technique or dinging the edge (I did that in the sink, with my first razor), so having the option of a second razor, is a cheap insurance, IMHO.