Thread: Why Rotate?

It's hard for me to give just one answer. The main reason I rotate now is that I have developed a case of RAD, and I would feel terrible if I spent the money on a razor and didn't use it.

However, there are other reason that aside from this. One of them is the fact that I do not have to hone my razors as much. Now I don't believe that if I was just using one razor that it would wear out or anything, but I have a reasonably heavy beard, and it's nice not to have to hone so often. I also like to use different razors because it's a preference issue. I have different grinds, different widths, and they all feel different. Some days I feel like one over the other. For example, you could wear one shirt all the time and jsut wash it each night, but it's nice to have variety.... plus I'm to lazy to do laundry every night.

Besides, how can I look forward to my favorite razor coming up in the rotation if i only have one.

Hay, fat panda look at carriem's answer. I said that on purpose.

Originally Posted by jbcohen

Hay, fat panda look at carriem's answer. I said that on purpose.

I am sure you did. Unfortunately, your message is completely out of context. I strongly recommend that you familiarise yourself with the minimal technical requirements for participating in a public discussion. Or stick to carrier pigeons.

Originally Posted by BeBerlin

I am sure you did. Unfortunately, your message is completely out of context. I strongly recommend that you familiarise yourself with the minimal technical requirements for participating in a public discussion. Or stick to carrier pigeons.

I think some people follow the on-screen instructions:


I must try out that tree view.

Originally Posted by Rajagra

I think some people follow the on-screen instructions:

Doesn't matter, that one will keep the threading intact as well.

Thank you all for your great replies! It does seem like to some it is a preference, and to others it may not be necessary. I am really curious about how facial hair can actually deform steel! I am a civil engineer and I remember some material laboratories in undergrad where we would yank on a steel bar until it yielded and eventually snapped. A Ton of force! How on earth can facial hair deform a blade? Is facial hair harder than steel?

Anyways, I have 4 blades here that I am sure I will be rotating according to my heart's content! The more important issue that I am wondering about is if different grinds feel different on a strop (say a wedge vs full hollow)?

Also, when learning how to shave with different grinds, is there a big difference between say a wedge and a full hollow?

should extra attention go into the shave when changing grinds?

Originally Posted by fatpanda

I am really curious about how facial hair can actually deform steel! I am a civil engineer and I remember some material laboratories in undergrad where we would yank on a steel bar until it yielded and eventually snapped. A Ton of force! How on earth can facial hair deform a blade? Is facial hair harder than steel?

Pressure (symbol: p or P) is the total force acting across (not along) a surface divided by the area of the surface. And a razor's edge is microscopic.

Originally Posted by fatpanda

Anyways, I have 4 blades here that I am sure I will be rotating according to my heart's content! The more important issue that I am wondering about is if different grinds feel different on a strop (say a wedge vs full hollow)?

They give different feedback, and make different sounds. You might find the following passage useful: Razor stropping - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Originally Posted by fatpanda

Also, when learning how to shave with different grinds, is there a big difference between say a wedge and a full hollow?

There is for me, the main difference being feedback. A wedge will give you next to zero, because it does not flex, or sing. This caused me to apply more pressure initially ("Hm. Doesn't make a sound, doesn't really respond. Let's try harder. Ouch, that bleeds.").

Originally Posted by fatpanda

should extra attention go into the shave when changing grinds?

Initially, I think you should, and instinctively will. Wedges can be serious fun, once properly honed.

Originally Posted by jbcohen

Hay, fat panda look at carriem's answer. I said that on purpose.

I don't understand what you are talking about...

Originally Posted by 8BallAce

It's hard for me to give just one answer. ...
For example, you could wear one shirt all the time and just wash it each night, but it's nice to have variety.... plus I'm to lazy to do laundry every night.

Exactly! Aside from variety, since I usually hone my own razors (and I'm not a honemeister so it takes a while), it's a lot simpler to set up the microscope, hones etc. only about twice a year and hone 6 or so razors over a couple of days. Of course, the chrome oxide strop helps a lot, along with an old barber's hone.

I haven't been at this for very long but rotate because I'm still learning. I've managed to accumulate 10+ razors. This is more than I intend to keep (famous last words) but they are helping me assess my hones and develope my honing skills. I use a different progression and finishing hone with each razor and note them on the blades with a marker. Once honed all razors are stropped in the same manner. When a blade produces what I consider to be a great shave, it's retired for the time being and I use an untested example for my next shave. If it does not pass, it goes back to the same hone for another try. My goal is to eventually determine which hones and which razors work best for me and those will be the keepers unless there's an upgrade.