Thread: Collectors?

Just curious as to how many here are straight razor collectors and how many are in it just for the shave? I started as being in it just for the shave, but after seeing the beautiful blades and scales im seriously considering collecting.

Originally Posted by benissimo777

Just curious as to how many here are straight razor collectors and how many are in it just for the shave? I started as being in it just for the shave, but after seeing the beautiful blades and scales im seriously considering collecting.

Seems to be the progression! Just set up a paypal account and get ready.

Yup, definitely a progression! First it was for the shave, then for me at least it was to shave with something older than my great, great grandfather. Then after that I just got more eccentric, suddenly 8/8 was puny...agreed with the advice above you will need a well funded paypal account.

"Hi...my name's Greg and I have RAD" "Hi, Greg!"

Now up to 15 blades, from 3/8 to 7/8. Became a fan of Wade & Butcher, so I had to have several of those, and they can go pretty high on Ebay, etc. Yeah, I'm now a collector. Sigh...

I'm into the working collection. The plan I keep trying to sell to myself is this... Only 7 razors, not counting ones from family.

I'm kind of curious how long that will last So far so good, I have more than 7 at the moment, but only 6 are shave ready (not counting the 2 I have from family). As I get the others repaired and up to shave ready I'll see how much I like the shave and feel. If lacking... off it goes (to fund yet another )

I'm just a user....but I have to admit that's mostly because I can't afford collecting.

I'm just a user as well.
Don't get me wrong, I really like the looks of damascus steel, mammoth ivory, ... But I can't justify spending all that money on something that is essentially just a tool. By the same token, I don't care about a 500$ escher when a 50$ coticule does the job just as well.

I have a whopping total of 3 daily shavers, a feather for traveling and an old shavette I don't use anymore.

I have a couple of restorations in the works, and I will sell them when they are done so I have some extra pocket money.

If I'd spend 500$ on a razor, my wife'd gut me with it.
We have an agreement that we discuss anything costing over 50 euros before buying it (not counting things like groceries etc of course) because we want to finish each month in black instead of red, as well as adding something to the savings account each month.

Originally Posted by Bruno

I have a whopping total of 3 daily shavers, a feather for traveling and an old shavette I don't use anymore.

That's spooky, that's the exact number /type of razors I have!

I started off thinking "must collect loads of razors and be like Lynn (etc.)", but over time I changed, and the reality of living on a budget kicked in fully. I do like the rare custom stuff, but first and foremost the razors are a tool to shave with. They have to be great shavers first, and if they're nice looking or rare then that's a bonus.

I slimmed my collection down from about 50 including 10 or so customs, to 3 traditional straights, a Feather AC DX and a Shavette which I don't use. The straights I ended up keeping were...

5/8 DD Satinedge
5/8 TI PT LE
6/8 TI SRP LE

Definitely a more manageable and affordable rotation!

I'm a hybrid (heh heh). I only have 6 straights, of which only 5 are shave ready. I shave with all of them in rotation.

But those 5 kind of have a collector's feel to them: one TI, one Dovo, one vintage, one wap, and one custom Mastro Livi.

I guess a very focused and working collection!