Thread: Walk, Don't Run

So well said. I hope every new member reads this before RAD gains its grip on them. Thanks Obie.

You're 100% correct, you never should have purchased those little razors not to mention all that other stuff you have that you never should have bought. My solution is to just pack it up and send it to me. I will agree to say 'razors I love you all" every day. By now they probably know you don't love them anymore and if you used one they would take their revenge upon you. Not only that but they are probably plotting against you turning your other shaving gear against you.

Really this mates well with the "if I had only known then what I do now thread".

If I had learned that 20 years ago with watches I'd be a wealthier man now.

Great thread Obie and well written as always. I wish I had this piece of advice when I was getting started, but alas, I did not. Now I too have a few razors that rarely get a chance to slice through a hair. On the other hand, I once regretted getting into a bidding war on the bay for a Torrey, but I used it last night to shave off 3 days growth and it performed like a champ. I am glad it's in my rotation and it was worth every penny, and by penny I mean lots of dollars.

Originally Posted by ReardenSteel

Great thread Obie and well written as always. I wish I had this piece of advice when I was getting started, but alas, I did not. Now I too have a few razors that rarely get a chance to slice through a hair. On the other hand, I once regretted getting into a bidding war on the bay for a Torrey, but I used it last night to shave off 3 days growth and it performed like a champ. I am glad it's in my rotation and it was worth every penny, and by penny I mean lots of dollars.

You and I must have been bidding on that Torrey. I tried really hard but you just kept out-bidding me. I am glad you are enjoying it. I had to settle for another Torrey for a lot less money.


Happy Shaving!

I agree with much of your wonderful post. My only question is how do you experiment to find out what you like with at least buying some various styles and sizes? Perhaps you are referring to excessive, thoughtless, or undisciplined razor purchases?

From the beginning, I developed a plan for my razor purchases and adhered to the plan. Out of 28 razors I have collected, I only regret one purchase, a razor that I simply cannot get to be a smooth shaver. I purposely bought representative razors from the USA, Germany, France, Sweden, England, and Spain. While I slightly prefer heavier 6/8 size razors with a quarter to half-hollow grind, I still enjoy using all the different grinds and sizes in my collection. I tried to be judicious and purchase razors in very good shape, representative of the best models and brands for each country, but at a reasonable price.

Another great, well-thought post. I too prefer the heavier grinds. I do have a 5/8 Dubl Duck SatinWedge that has become my go to razor. Used it today and had a DFS shave. Also bloodless. I love that razor. It has been re-scaled and the bolster transfer was not done very well, but the blade is a work of art. Thanks for your thoughts Obie, I always enjoy reading your posts.

It's not so much a question of excess when one has a broad taste, DLB. To buy, therefore, in order to satisfy that broad taste is perfectly acceptable to me. Excess intrudes when we cast our arms at everything in sight and grab almost indiscriminately. We do so because we don't know better. We run instead of walk.

Originally Posted by Obie

It's not so much a question of excess when one has a broad taste, DLB. To buy, therefore, in order to satisfy that broad taste is perfectly acceptable to me. Excess intrudes when we cast our arms at everything in sight and grab almost indiscriminately. We do so because we don't know better. We run instead of walk.

Thanks Obie,

We are very much in agreement! Whenever I see a Newbie who has bought a really bad brand of razor or a good brand in terrible shape, I get a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach. Even worse is when they have paid way too much for the razor. Ultimately, I would rather have one really good razor than 100 mediocre razors. If I had to reduce my own collection to one razor, I would keep my 6/8 Thiers-Issard Le Grelot. I love shaving with this one razor because it feels like an extension of my arm and hand. That said, when I shave with a 4/8 Heljestrand No. 24, I am thrilled and amazed at what this little razor can do. It fills me with a sense of excitement and wonder. That is why I enjoy the variety of styles. I love whatever razor is in my hand.

However, all of my purchases were carefully planned to add a very specific type of razor to the collection. Had I bought willy-nilly, I would have wound up with just a hodge podge collection. To avoid the frantic, indiscriminate buying of razors you are describing, I think it is important that a person set some goals from the very beginning. I addressed some of this in a previous post:

http://straightrazorpalace.com/begin...ng-razors.html

When a person has no goals for their razor purchases, I think they are even more likely to fall prey to the "grabbing" of any and all razors in sight, ultimately leading to a fair amount of dis-satisfaction. The more clear the goals, the better the collection and the more rewarding the experience will be. I also think the goals will be different for each person. While one person may only want one good razor, another may want a 7-day set. Some may want only wedges, some may only want extra hollow grounds, while others may want examples of both. The same principle holds true regarding razor widths. Ultimately, if one hasn't thought through all of this and made goals, they will likely do just as you described and that is a true sorrow.

Thank you for your well written and well crafted post. It is a subject that can save people a lot of grief and money.

Regards!

Well said, my dear thebigspendur: "If I had only known then what I do now." Yet all this is part of our growth. The only thing is that I wish some of us would grow a little slower. I have not used the 4/8" razors in ages, and only a few of the 5/8" razors. The 6/8" and the 7/8" blades are my favorites, and among those, I far prefer the heavier grinds over the hollows. With some exceptions, I'll eventually trim the racks to hold only the bigger razors. Another thing, when I score that bestselling novel, I'll send you some of the 5/8" blades — if I have not sold them by then. Stay well.