Thread: RAD

All I wanted was a straight razor to shave with. Seriously. that's it. I bought a nice restored pipe razor, ordered some soap, and have been poking around researching strop designs so I can make my own. I figured I was good to go.

I haven't even taken delivery of my original purchase yet (trans-atlantic shipping takes too damn long) and my fiance has gifted me with an old levering straight razor that's been in her family forever.

When she gave it to me the scales where trashed and the blade was rusty and corroded, so I figured it would be a nice gesture of appreciation for the gift to restore the razor to working order. After spending a weekend on it I've cleaned up the blade and replaced the handle. It looks nice now and I need to send it off to get it honed. That was my big mistake though because I *really* enjoyed cleaning that old razor up.

So I thought, that was so much fun I should get a nice little supply of crudded up old razors so whenever I want a project I can just walk out to the shop and work on one. I figured it'd be something nice to keep the hands busy come winter. So I did what came naturally, I logged into ebay and started following auctions, bid on a few, won a few. Less than a week later I've got 11 (my god, how did this happen??) razors in various states of decay in transit, and I'm actively following four more auctions hoping to get a "sweet deal" on some unusual pieces.

I'm about to order a set of hones and a brass tumbler, and I'm seriously lamenting my lack of a scroll saw and a belt sander.

I...I think I have ... RAD. Apparently it's contageous because I've got my fiance drooling over a couple of razors I've seen on ebay this week and she's like "yeah, that's gorgeous, you should definitely get that one". Is there a support group? or something? This is crazy.

I hear ya. There may be a support group somewhere, but this is an enablers group. Or a group that supports RAD, probably not what you meant by "support group."

Haha, yeah, sounds like you got it

I told a friend of mine I had it last night and she said I should go to meetings

I was just gonna get 1 as well...failed at that.

Got a set of Norton hones and C12k...then recently bought a Belgian Combo stone (should be here tomorrow! )

Now I need to get a grinder, wheels, and greaseless compound (getting tired of sandpaper )

I have access to the tools for making my scales (relative has a woodshop) so I don't need my own...right now. But at some point, I WILL have my own.

*sigh* I keep telling myself "it's just money" but still...

I think maybe (at least in my case) the RAD/HAD was inevitable, and addictive personalities make it MUCH easier to slip into it...is there a cure? I dunno...but at this point, I have to say:

If hating razors and hones is bad, I don't wanna be good!

Well I came from the SE/DE side to Str8s. Talk about a hard journey.

Welcome to the fold and it is a good thing that SWMBO is on your side.

The only known cure ....

i think you are all rad!!!!lol! i started my addiction three weeks ago now and i offically have 6 antquie straights...three shave ready and the other three i'm working on now with restoring...it is as icedog put's it one of the most sensual experiances a man can have! i believe he is right ...i helps you feel more of a man to do something so old..look at the hundreds of manufactures and nowhow few there are....it's crazy! plus the environmental effect...your helping mother nature no more wasted disposable razors....
i'm rad and have rad..lol
you all are rad!
have fun and keep this ancient art alive!
Wulfgar

Im on this SR stuff for 4 months. The last Razor Ive bought was, ups, today. And I have shaving soaps probaly for the rest of my life.

There is no hope my friend.

I wish that was my fiance's approach to me using and collecting straights.

But I have the RAD bad. It doesn't go well with my online bargain hunting skills.

I definitely feel ya. I have only been at this SR thing a few months and I can already feel the symptoms of RAD creeping into my head. Hell, when I started this and read about everyone's issues with RAD on this forum I said...

"I'm not going to get THAT involved. Just a couple razors, a strop, and some soap."

I'm not fully afflicted yet, I keep fighting the temptation, but it is a battle I believe I'm loosing.

Some battles are more fun to lose.

The bad part for me is that I spend a good chunk of money on safety razor stuff before switching to straights this month. I have acquired 7 straights and a blade for less money than I spent on the last 3 DEs I bought, without blades.