Explain Rotaion please?

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03-03-2008, 06:12 PM
chancecatalyst

Explain Rotaion please?

Hi,
This is all in preparation, as my first razor purchase still has to make it to my door and then get sent to Lynn for honing.

I've noticed several people mention using a rotation of different razors, and I haven't been able to find any mention of why. It makes sense to me to have an extra (or more!) around for when one needs to be honed, but that doesn't seem to be the underlying purpose, especially after seeing entire 7-day sets for sale.
Can anyone clue a newb in on this whole rotation concept?

Thanks!
03-03-2008, 06:43 PM
Amyn

Well technically nobody needs to to have a rotation of 15 - 20 or even 50 razors. 1 razor can do just fine, but many are bitten by the RAD bug (myself included) and we are compelled to purchase the as many razors as humanly possible.

Trust me you will know in a couple of months what it feels like to have RAD :D

You can then come back to this post of yours and get a good laugh from it. :roflmao
03-03-2008, 06:45 PM
nickyspaghetti

I think rotation originated from the idea that the edge needed to rest before using again - an idea that I don't believe in to be honest. I think it was started by razor companies to boost sales
Now people use it to describe the razors they use most often because they have the luxury of choosing their favourites!
03-03-2008, 06:49 PM
LegalEagle

Part of the theory, people will tell you, is that if you touch up your edges regularly on a hone, then you can go longer between touch-ups and do all your razors at the same time in order to be more efficient. For example, with a 7-day set, if you like to touch up your edges every 4 shaves, then you can shave for a month before having to get the hone out. Then, once the hone is out, you touch up all 7 edges and you're set for another month.

While this may have been a valid reason at one time, now I think the rotation concept is just a way to rationalize RAD (which we all get).
03-03-2008, 08:31 PM
chancecatalyst

Lol, trust me, I think I've already afflicted with RAD. In my first day researching straight razors I made the mistake of looking at Lynn's page of Maestro Livis. Well, I managed to convince myself to "settle" for a dubl duck Goldedge. ...and I'm already shopping for a second!:D I'm not really worried about whether or not I'll take to straight edges. It's classy and I've decided to do it, kinda like when I developed my taste for single malt scotch.
03-03-2008, 08:35 PM
LegalEagle

Quote:

Originally Posted by chancecatalyst

I'm not really worried about whether or not I'll take to straight edges. It's classy and I've decided to do it, kinda like when I developed my taste for single malt scotch.

Good to hear. I was worried I wouldn't like it or would think it was too hard, but I don't think it's nearly as difficult or time-consuming as I had originally thought after reading up (for days) on here. I'm absolutely hooked.
03-03-2008, 08:48 PM
Jimbo

I like to think of rotations as more of a monogamy backlash/Harem thing. There's some deep-seated, sub-conscious, primal male instinct bubbling to the surface here, I reckon. :D

James.
03-03-2008, 09:02 PM
gssixgun

Rotation

Yeah that's it :roflmao
Let's see there is the working razor rotation 14 razors 6 days per week
The Dubl Duck & Shumate display cabinet rotation 20 razors Sundays only
And the second drawer rotation 22 razors Hmmmm whenever I open that drawer like once per month...
Then there is the restoration drawer 4-10 razors that are in process of going into my ROTATION :roflmao

RAD who me????????
03-03-2008, 11:39 PM
sebell

I'm going to take down the average razor collection in
this post by saying that my rotation has 1 razor in it...

;)

- Scott
03-03-2008, 11:45 PM
chancecatalyst

Quote:

Originally Posted by sebell

I'm going to take down the average razor collection in
this post by saying that my rotation has 1 razor in it...

;)

- Scott

You are a towering pedestal of self-restraint. Truly a good role model for the rest of us.:D
03-04-2008, 12:39 AM
snakeoiltanker

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amyn

Well technically nobody needs to to have a rotation of 15 - 20 or even 50 razors. 1 razor can do just fine, but many are bitten by the RAD bug (myself included) and we are compelled to purchase the as many razors as humanly possible.

Trust me you will know in a couple of months what it feels like to have RAD :D

You can then come back to this post of yours and get a good laugh from it. :roflmao

I already got the RAD bug. Just got 3 more razors with 2 more on the way. Now I'm shopping for a place to store everything!
03-04-2008, 12:42 AM
jbcohen

I have done just that with my double edges, I have eight of them that I rotated amongs them. I do not do this with straight razors, for the simple reason that I have only one.

My opinion is that each razor has a different touch to it so a little variety is always a good thing.
03-04-2008, 01:16 PM
RobertFontaine

I am finding it's nice to have 2 sharp razors just in case I oops. One hopeful that might be shave ready in case I'm feeling cocky and several in line.

I may also find it nice to have 6 sharp razors and a new hobby.

We shall see.

-Bob
03-04-2008, 01:52 PM
Kenrup

I keep no more then seven razors in my stable. If I snag a razor that is a great restore, there has to be significant reason for me to take out one of current stable and place the new one. Consequently, all the razors in my rotation are incredible razors. I am currently holding one spot open, just in case I get the SRP Livi. (I hope, I hope, I hope)

I do have bunch on my bench but those for sales.
03-04-2008, 01:58 PM
emile

I had just such a moment this morning. I was shaving with a Joseph Allen I got off the Bay and had spent the better part of Saturday morning getting into shave-ready condition. I was halfway through my second pass, and rinsing a quadrant's worth of Valobra soap/cream/whatever it is off the blade, edge up as not to ding it on the porcelain, and somehow brought it up too fast, catching the lip of the faucet.

After I stopped swearing, I went to the rough side of my strop to see how bad it was. After I stopped swearing again, I realized that little guy is taking a trip all the way back to the 4000 side of my Norton, but in the meantime having a pinch hitter sitting right in the toothbrush holder meant I got to come to work this morning with a clean shave.

When your morning stupor's got you mourning stupidity, sometimes a fallback is nice...

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobertFontaine

I am finding it's nice to have 2 sharp razors just in case I oops. One hopeful that might be shave ready in case I'm feeling cocky and several in line.

I may also find it nice to have 6 sharp razors and a new hobby.

We shall see.

-Bob
03-04-2008, 11:59 PM
Utopian

Quote:

Originally Posted by sebell

I'm going to take down the average razor collection in
this post by saying that my rotation has 1 razor in it...

;)

- Scott

I've seen you mention this a few times, so I finally have to ask...
What is the one razor that you use?
03-05-2008, 12:01 AM
chancecatalyst

Quote:

Originally Posted by emile

When your morning stupor's got you mourning stupidity, sometimes a fallback is nice...

Heh, awesome wordsmithing:D
03-05-2008, 12:26 AM
gugi

Quote:

Originally Posted by chancecatalyst

You are a towering pedestal of self-restraint. Truly a good role model for the rest of us.:D

Uhmm, speak for yourself, please. I don't have role models with 1 razor, nor do I plan on it!
03-05-2008, 12:26 AM
sebell

Quote:

I've seen you mention this a few times, so I finally have to ask...
What is the one razor that you use?

I'm using my Dovo #41 Pearlex 5/8". I've had about 15 or
so different razors in the past, and my collection shrinks
and grows periodically. If I don't get an SRP Livi I might
spring for a Dovo Special Tortoise!

- Scott
03-05-2008, 12:55 AM
chancecatalyst

Quote:

Originally Posted by gugi

Uhmm, speak for yourself, please. I don't have role models with 1 razor, nor do I plan on it!

I would never presume to... :D
03-05-2008, 10:25 AM
Kenrup

Quote:

Originally Posted by sebell

I'm using my Dovo #41 Pearlex 5/8". I've had about 15 or
so different razors in the past, and my collection shrinks
and grows periodically. If I don't get an SRP Livi I might
spring for a Dovo Special Tortoise!

- Scott

I have a Dovo Special tortoise in 6/8. I absolutely love it. :tu
04-22-2008, 07:50 AM
AjuntaPall316

Hi everyone, I'm glad I searched and found this thread as it explains a lot. I could see the reason for having a couple backups, but I didn't really see the reasoning for a "rotation". I also was kind of wondering what this "RAD" thing was, and this did a good job of explaining that as well. This is a good informative thread for us newbs.

I decided I was going to learn this straight razor shaving thing and dove right in, and I bought all kinds of neat new toys. I'm still waiting for my first "real" razor, so I can turn around and send it right off to Lynn, from which I bought that DVD and am waiting for that as well.

I can see already that this "RAD" is going to cost me :D. I have always been really into swords and knives, so I'm surprised it took me this long to try a straight razor. I've never liked shaving, because of irritation, etc., but I'm pretty confident I will like, seeing as how it's an actual blade, which I like a lot, and not this "5 blades in 1 bull%^&*". Although I don't really have this great interest in collecting these older "vintage" blades. At least, I don't right now. But I can see where these custom ones are going to end up costing me a lot. I haven't even shaved yet and I'm already trying to design one. But I know I need to try several before I know what kind of blade to make, such as: wedge, hollow, or in between; 5/8 - 8/8; or Carbon, Stainless, or Damascus.

So anyway, this is my long-winded introduction, in a random thread. And I look forward to learning this skill with the other newbs, and learning from you veterans here. Until next time...

PS. In future reference, and as an apology in advance... I tend to have this knack for going :OT... Sorry.