Why? I see people on here with 10-20 different razors. Are they collectors items? I'm new to the straight razor scene.
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Why? I see people on here with 10-20 different razors. Are they collectors items? I'm new to the straight razor scene.
Because, in general unlike women, we can get away with trying and keeping a wide variety and we can pick and choose any one of them to play with whenever we want to!
Well there are a couple diffrent reasons, one is that diffrent types of razors shave diffrently. If you would compare my w&B full hollow to someones dovo half hollow there would be 2 diffrent feels to the shave, Another reason is because they are collectors items by some people especially vintage ones because they are no longer made. Another reason is because people like to have a rotation of razors, that old saying virety is the spice of life includes straight razors. These are just some of the reasons why some people have multiple razors, im sure there are many more reasons.
They are my children, they love me!
This is a good question.
There are varying degrees of quality within the different razors, and as such, many guys like to experience as many as they can. Plus, there's a "cool" factor that plays a part in this phenomenon.
However, I think the biggest reason is that this is turned into a hobby that a lot of guys can dive into for relatively little money (compared to car restoration, hunting, fishing, etc.) so they collect razors, hones, and strops. It's kind of fun, but at the same time, I think it can retard the learning process to a degree. It wasn't until I put down most of my "rotation" that I really learned the value of stropping for maintenance. Many guys hone so much that they don't really have to worry about keeping an edge going on a strop because their razors last forever due to sheer size of the rotation.
I have 10 straight razors in rotation. Having many cuts down on the frequency of sharpening, keeps your skill level sharp, and makes the enjoyment of each shave a little more fun. Each blade has its own characteristics they we enjoy and when we have just the right mix, maybe we can stop buying the darned things!!!! Or not!! :medvl:
That makes sense. I'm a poor college student, so I'll have to stick with 1 razor for awhile :P
it's like a dad says to his son.. "give it time.. you'll understand"
Vintage razors are highly collectible, check Ebay for Filarmonica, Double Duck, Goldedge, Wonderedge, or even the elusive "Lifetime"
Besides that, it's an addiction, same goes for hones, some guys have more hones than razors....
Hi,
I've here since January of this year. Still pretty new and thought the same question but never asked. About 3 month later I had ebay buy then an other. All my razors are vintage. I have 5 in rotation and working honing up 4 more. I think part of it, for me, is testing my honing skills with a shave.
Then you share your interest with someone and they will get you a straight razor to be thoughtful. You have to use it. You don't want to be rude that gift and leave it sitting in your shave kit unused.
And so the rotation grows more and more razors. :)
- Mike
I just thought it was because "he who dies with the most toys wins"
Oh well you just have to try them all out to find a few of the best to keep
Somwhere along the way you just forget to pass along the rest
Kid, it's like this. We buy all these razors... because we can.
Everything else everyone's said here is just justification for us to throw some money at something we like. If it wasn't razors it'd be something else. For some of us it is razors and something else. Or two something-elses...
And my justification is it's cheaper than buying a boat.
But not by much. :)
#1 Because I can and they are usually pretty cheap
#2 It's really cool to develop the skills needed to bring something 100-150 years old (or more) back to working condition and use it.
#3 Some can be almost works of art
If you get the disorder you will understand very fast!! :) :eek:
I'm up to 4 in my rotation and no where near done. The current rotation consists of all vintage shavers and all but one I bought under $15 "in the raw". I haven't developed the skills to bring one back from the bowels of hades, but if it just takes some sanding and honing and the scales are kinda tight, I'm up to the task. They vary from a quarter hollow W&B to a full hollow Wilbert. Sometimes you want to take the Porsche out on the back roads, and somtimes you want to cruise down the highway in the Lincoln.
Because we can.
Reading these forums is not much different than other forums.
Some people are happy with one or two special coins, stamps or china plates.
Same thing also happens with straight. But, when you are passionate about an item...well you get the drift.
It is special to piece of equipment that was made X years ago, that still works as great as it did when it first used.
It is small. Even when restoring, very little space and tools required. Maybe that's a draw back. When I work on a bike, progress is meassured in weeks or months. On a blade restore, often, at end of an afternoon I often get a similar satisfaction of completion.
I really love the idea of maintaining a tradition that's been going on for generations, and also I think many are gorgeous pieces of art. Also, being fairly new at this, I've been trying to get as many different shapes and styles as possible. I've got different profiles, sizes and origins, from wedge to full hollow, spike to round point, 8/8 meatchopper to 3/8 precision trimmer. And, it's fun! :D
I think it is really cool that I use something everyday that was from another time.
Think about this: How many folks do you know that have something that is 100 or so years old and they use all the time in he same manner it was meant to be used?
Seems pretty neat to me.
Why so many? I have no clue!!
Utopian and Glen aka. gssixgun are right on.
I wish I could buy many more cars and guns too. :ziplip:
I can understand people buying razors to try out different sizes, brands and grinds, but once you find what works, I don't know why people don't sell off the excess and keep one blade.
Maybe there is no perfect blade for them so they like to keep many near-perfect blades?
I seem to be like this with everything I do. Motorcycles comes to mind. Some are fanatics about 1 particular make or model. I love everything with 2 wheels motorized and have gone thru a bunch. They all have their own area that they excelled in.
Of course my wife says it's my ADD............................................... ...
Please post in this thread when you buy your next razor. :)
You send the one out to be honed or whatever, and you realize, "Hey, I need a backup razor!" Then you experience the ever-so-subtle difference between your main razor and your backup, and you start watching the classifieds for those sub-$50 razors.
Next thing you know you're asking your significant other to go antiquing with you. Then you're buying metal polish and sandpaper and you start reading the encyclopedia of How to Hone Your Own Razor in our threads and wiki.
Your path might be different, but the destination is always the same!
Because they're pretty! :D
And they're different to shave with, plus I like honing them so I keep getting more so I can keep honing.
Theres also the fun of shaving with a razor thats over 100 years old, the joy of bringing a razor back to life by cleaning it up and the looks you get from people when you tell them you collect razors! Most people are pretty interested in it and usually want to know more about it.
I have two and use one!
When I feel I have mastered this razor (consistently getting the edge just right with stropping, touch-ups, honing and how I shave with it), then I'll probably pick up the other again.
I've managed to avoid RAD - partly because I'd like to play around with razor making down the track, partly because I want to master one razor... which is pretty amazing for someone who usually dabbles!
So yes it is possible to have a 'monogamous' (or should that be monorazorous?) shaving relationship :)
All the best,
Michael
We buy them -but we don't own them. We are the caretakers of a great piece of history for a period of time, we restore them, appreciate them, use them - and then it's somebody else's turn.
I personally love the thoughts of the guys who invented them, the guys who gathered the raw materials, the guys who crafted them, the guys who sold them and the guys who used them. They are functional works of art and I love collecting them.
Every time I purchase a razor I find I need just one more to complete the collection.
My mother always said, You most have from any nice item that you own actually have 2 of them.
So do we, from every razor we try to get a second. But you must first have a pair of razors to double up:)
And that is so fun and addictive.
they're really shiny, men are genetically predisposed to wanting shiny things!!
its very rare for antiques to be useful and so well made. part collector, part admirer, part utilitariast, partly wanting for simpler times, thats why I collect them.
Hiya,
The perfect DE razor for me was discovered through lots of trial and error, and that's the one I'll use as a control when trying a new to me blade. There's another 5-6 other DE razors I'll use on occasion as well, since they're also enjoyable in their own ways. Yep, each one has it's own endearing features.
It's kinda pleasant having the right banana to satisfy that day's particular monkey, which is riding securely on my back.
Martin
I have 6 in rotation right now, 2 new, 4 vintage that I have cleaned up/restored myself. I have several more waiting in a display case, can only work on about 2 at a time. I enjoy using a vintage blade that I fixed up myself. I also like the artistic part of creating a new set of scales. Then there is the challenge of patience, in all aspects of shaving, whether it be waiting for a great deal on eBay, sanding away rust on a blade, making/sanding a new set of scales, or honing a blade you have restored (this last one is the most difficult, 200 strokes on a 220 to get rid of a tiny chip). Why so many? Cause there is so much variety. Straight points, rounded, shoulder/no shoulder, straight spine, smiling, barbers notch, etc.
Most of my razors are of different makes although I do have a few repeats. Several customs but again, each is different. My razor purchases have slowed quite a bit over the past year. Now a days I look for something unique. My last purchase was a big 9/8+ chopper. They are just fun to have, nice to look at in the display case and fun to restore. I have about 60 in my shave rotation.
Like everything else I do:
If a little is good, then more must be better.
Pipes and razors- my two favorite addictions. I love usable art!
When I first started it was like getting an old coin from each mint. First a Solingen, then a Sheffield, then a Eskilstuna, then a vintage American and so on.