Thread: Is using the same straight razor everyday a no-no?

I didn't know there was a singular for straight razors

2 weeks in, 4 straights of different types/manufacture already.

Yes, you only need one razor. One for today. Another one for tomorrow. Another one for the day after that......

There has been much discussion for years about letting razors rest. After tons of reading, and asking and testing, I believe it either untrue (that razor edges need to rest), or insignificant. In visiting with one of the early pioneers of this site, they said they have used the same razor exclusively for extended period of time with no problem.

Also, when learning, I think it important to use only one razor. You are performing an experiment to test a hypothesis. The first thing you do is reduce variables, preferably keeping everything the same except one variable. If you use two razors, there are too many variables!

"Was my shave worse because I stropped too hard after my shave? Well, heck! I can't even remember how I stropped that blade. Wish I wasn't using so many razors!!"

As much as I would love to say you need a new blade EVERYDAY (to justify my spending...) you don't. One'll do you fine, just make sure you tace good care of the edge and it will be golden. Thats the great advantage of straights- the edge doesn't deteriorate that quickly (provided good stropping and occasional touch up are employed)

IME it's easier to keep one razor going than it is to keep multiple razors going. The daily stropping seems to keep the razor edge keen, and your shaving technique adapts to that one razor. Also remember that the old barbers would use one razor all day. It's nice to have two razors though just to have a backup in case you drop or nick one.

I have two razors which I rotate every day. I use a pasted strop with ChrOx to touch up the edge when it starts pulling the hair a bit. As to how many do you need? I ask myself, how many did the folks back in the day had? I bet only one, which they knew how to use, strop and hone. The only exception being the affluent that had those seven day sets.

I have only one razor(all you really need)...for now
I am doing just fine, and I do not find the theory for stropping and resting to be valid. The only reason one would want to rest a blade is if it gets heated too much , which does not happen with stropping.

Make sure you strop before shaving, rinse the razor with really hot water after you are done shaving, then wipe well and let sit out for a bit to completely dry.Touch up on CrO strop when leather stropping does not seem to get rid of that slight pull on your beard. This routine should keep you in shape for some time.

can you survive with 1 razor yes .will i say go head use just same razor every day for shave answer is No.there is million theories and everyone has their own opinions and they believe in it.Try yourself see what you like.

Originally Posted by hi_bud_gl

can you survive with 1 razor yes .will i say go head use just same razor every day for shave answer is No.there is million theories and everyone has their own opinions and they believe in it.Try yourself see what you like.

That is the bottom line. We can ask all the questions and it keeps the forum interesting but doing our own experimenting is how we find out what works for us for sure.

I have a ton of razors and never shave with the same one more than once in a blue moon. I have tried to discipline myself to shave with a pair in rotation to see how long these particular edges last before degrading but I find myself deviating from the path and picking a freshly honed blade for a given day.