Thread: Why we need many razors

Originally Posted by Sec162

I do see your points. I tried like hell to buy one of bills latest. I loved the one he just did for JL and emailed him (apparently so did a few others) asking about some more like it. I have been working a lot of over time lately and thought I would treat myself. The thought of using something well over 100 years old everyday is really neat. I was looking forward to spending an obscene about of money on a piece of history like this but that didn't happen I work 3rd shift and by the time I got up they were all but spoken for already.

It was like trying to buy plywood in Florida during hurican season. Maybe next time

Don't feel bad I begged for someone to sell me a razor like that for weeks and weeks...finally Bill was kind enough to just restore one for me to perfection. I am very lucky, but I have a feeling he will have another round of them in a few months. How he finds those blades I dont know...if you get one...do yourself a favor and get one with desert ironwood scales with the CA finish....its unreal.

I had zero plans to get another razor for a while. I need to learn to use the one I have first I also have a $10 boker I picked up at an antique store. That one is for my honing practice, when I get one. I just contacted Bill to see how I could get one done in the future when I was ready......

But when I saw the ones he had for sale I was ready to part with my cash So I can see how these could get addicting. I just think it is neat to see a tool that can still be used and was probably used for many many shaves that is sooooo old. It works just as good in 2006 as it did in 1876 I imagine a wedge like that can last for many generations.

As you may have seen he still has one razor available. I passed on it because it just didn't jump out and grab me like the other three I really liked. I passed cause I would rather wait for one that is just what I wanted. I am sure you are right, 3 or 6 months down the road that one will become available and I will be glad I waited. I hope the lucky ones that get these share some feedback with the rest of us

Originally Posted by Sec162

I had zero plans to get another razor for a while. I need to learn to use the one I have first I also have a $10 boker I picked up at an antique store. That one is for my honing practice, when I get one. I just contacted Bill to see how I could get one done in the future when I was ready......

But when I saw the ones he had for sale I was ready to part with my cash So I can see how these could get addicting. I just think it is neat to see a tool that can still be used and was probably used for many many shaves that is sooooo old. It works just as good in 2006 as it did in 1876 I imagine a wedge like that can last for many generations.

As you may have seen he still has one razor available. I passed on it because it just didn't jump out and grab me like the other three I really liked. I passed cause I would rather wait for one that is just what I wanted. I am sure you are right, 3 or 6 months down the road that one will become available and I will be glad I waited. I hope the lucky ones that get these share some feedback with the rest of us

Thats the important part of it all....if you ONLY buy razors that really just jump out and grab you....the ones that you want to think about buying but then just simply cant stop thinking about...no matter how big your collection gets you will appreciate it and be happy about your purchase!

I started with a practical reason.. It takes less time to hone 10 razors at once than it does to hone 1 razor 10 times. Now I just want to try certain razors so I keep an eye out for them. However as my temp contract has expired and the census is over, I'll have to put my RAD on hold until I find a steady job.

My gauge is simple. I listen for two responses:

1. Damn! That's a whole lot of razors!

2. You have too many razors!!!

Response 1 comes from friends. Response 2 comes from my wife. If I go too long without hearing one or the other, then it's probably time to get another razor.

I started getting alot of razors looking for the right size and then the perfect blade. Then I just got addicted. However I have put a halt on my purchases of razors. Unless of course I find a more perfect blade...

I can give you a good excuse for owning at least 3 razors. A razor should be given two days' rest before being stropped. So, you need 3.

I'm not making this up Dovo says so, and I wouldn't even mention it if it didn't make sense technically. By now, we all know that the microserrations (teeth) in the edge spread out when you shave. They return naturally most of the way in 24-48 hours. When you strop, you push them back the rest of the way, making the edge thinner (sharp). You're pushing them back a short distance, meaning the bending is elastic and doesn't affect the teeth structurally.

Now what happens if you strop too soon, say right after a shave? Well, the tetth are way out there and you're pushing them back a large distance, bending them inelastically. This is like bending a piece of metal back and forth repeatedly. Eventually, it breaks from inelastic bending, as a result of fatigue. So, if you strop too soon, the teeth eventually break because of fatigue.

Don't get excited! it's not that serious. They're microserrations, so a little bit of honing resharpens the edge and gives you back the teeth. But you've removed all that material unnecessarily. If you had stropped the right way, the teeth would be there and would be refreshed once in a while. Who knows, maybe it would have been a month or more before you got to the point of having to restore the edge. But you get the idea, you're wasting the material. Now, it migh only last until you're 60, instead of your lifetime, you're son's, and your grandson's. So much for hierlooms!

So, if you don't want to waste your precious razors unnecessarily, you need at least 3.

On the issue of what you spend for a razor, let's look at new ones. You can get the best quality TI blade at reasonable price with a modest handle. You can spend a little more for a razor with an ss blade, and fortune on fancier handles, a limited edition blade, or a Damascus blade. That's all esoteric. The improvement in shave will not be remarkable. So, if the shave is the thing for you, the $150 razor gets it all. Beyond that it's gravy.

Of course, who doesn't love a beautiful razor with a worked back and beautiful wood or horn or MOP handles, or a limited edition blade. And there lies our affliction. We are ultimately collectors of art objects, things of beauty, rare collector's items and the works of fine artisans.

There's no such thing as too many razors; just too litltle money and storage space.

Originally Posted by PapaBull

There's no such thing as too many razors; just too litltle money and storage space.

Now here is a man after my own heart.

Originally Posted by RichZ

I started getting alot of razors looking for the right size and then the perfect blade. Then I just got addicted. However I have put a halt on my purchases of razors. Unless of course I find a more perfect blade...

A never ending search for the Holy Grail of razors.......



Terry