Thread: Why do 7 day sets exist?

I wonder how often the average Joe shaved or got shaved.


Justin

I've heard that 7-day sets were kind of a luxury item. People would have their own razor/razors and keep them with their respective barber so that he could shave them. I have also heard that the common man did not know how to shave himself. There is also the matter of reusing a blade everyday. Supposedly this is bad for the edge as it needs at least a fresh day for the edge to "settle" before you strop and shave again. As for why people got a 7-day set of the same razor? I doubt most people had much interest in razors back then. Wouldn't they be considered more like how most people consider cartridge razors today? The only option to use to shave. Therefore, a rich man who could afford one for each day of the week would just get a batch of the same razors rather than try to get exotic and varying blades.

...Because an "8 day set" would be just plain silly!









C utz

Information and advertising. They weren't as quick or far reaching as we have today, You have to remember that people used horses and carrages. Cars were few and far between, and the car of that time could only go about 15 mph. it took days to get anything anywere. A sevan dayset might be ordered and not recieved for several months. These were also considered the best of there day, and may have to be made to order.

Phil

Seven day sets exist purely and solely so that on ebay can charge exorbitant prices for them and never allow someone like me to own one.

Whew! I think I'll just pop on over to Mark's 'Anger' thread for a minute.

James.

Originally Posted by C utz

...Because an "8 day set" would be just plain silly!



C utz

Thats good! Yep, show off your money. I like the theory of resting the blade. And seven is the number of completion and they will last longer so it's more economical own a bunch of them right?

and a six day set just comes up short like some other things!

Originally Posted by Firebox

and a six day set just comes up short like some other things!

Oddly enough I have seen a six day set. I was in an antique store, (not looking for razors ), and I saw a case. Thinking it was a seven day set, I checked it out. Much to my surprise, it only had six razors, and only six slots to hold the razors. I thought that was kind of weird. Since I didn't have the $130 I left it alone, but I may go back and see if it is still there. If I can remember where I saw it.

OK, maybe it was not an astrological thing....

But picture this, you mosy on down to the barber, have him hone up your seven day set of razors (or two day, or four day, etc...). He was your modern day Lynn Abrams Then you go home and use one of the razors with an amazing edge. If you buy into the 'rest the razor' or not, you use a new razor from the set each day (getting that fresh honed edge shave each time), and each razor holds an edge for 2 - 3 months until needing to be honed again.... Look how long it would be until you needed to get those honed again! At least a year and a few months....depending on the set.

AND, back in the day when cars were not around, and you lived way the hell out in east Bumblefu** it might not be a LONG time until you get back into town to get those razors honed.

I'm thinking it was a lazy (rich) man's way of not having to know how to hone a razor, but reaping the rewards of a great shave!

I know I know, not as funny, but I like the six day falling short hypothesis also

C utz

A good bit of marketing by the manufactures. Get a story going about how you need more than one razor to let the other one rest. Then go from there with the rich folk.One must have one.
Brian