Thread: Keeping records of what you have...

I'm looking to upgrade my tracking of what razors I have or have had. At the moment I have a few scraps of paper with scribbled notes, not very good ones at that

I'd like to do it on the computer so I can add pics to each listing and leave notes as to what I did to it while I had that razor and so on.

I was thinking of a spread sheet but only have a basic idea how those work.

What are some of the methods used by members here?

I know JoeD has a database, but I am 99% sure he wrote his own software.

I too am on the handwritten papers method, which made my gf laugh at me cause I'm a rather techie person... I do keep photos of all the razors too, though.

I started a spreadsheet in Excel a few years ago but didn't stick with it. I had the best intentions, logging such info as the razor details, date and amount of purchase, amount of sale if sold, etc.

I have a modest collection; even so, when I pull out all the razors occasionally, I forget that I own a significant percentage of the collection! "Oh, that's right, I have one of these???" "When did I buy THIS razor?!", etc.

Chris L

I don't keep records of how much I've spent on razors around lest the wife finds them...

Originally Posted by ChrisL

I started a spreadsheet in Excel a few years ago but didn't stick with it. I had the best intentions, logging such info as the razor details, date and amount of purchase, amount of sale if sold, etc.

I have a modest collection; even so, when I pull out all the razors occasionally, I forget that I own a significant percentage of the collection! "Oh, that's right, I have one of these???" "When did I buy THIS razor?!", etc.

Chris L

+1, I too forget that I have this or that one until I run across it . I never keep track of what I paid for a razor. Too depressing if I were to total it up and if it was discovered I might end up in a padded cell with a straight jacket instead of a straight razor.

I tried keeping a honing log and it is a great idea and I want to do it. I just haven't been able to discipline myself to stick with it. As it is now I usually won't remember which hones I used on a given razor. Not a big thing if you only have a set of hones but I have so many and vary which I use. A log would really help out.

You could possible use a Home Inventory software to keep track of them. I know it's a lot more than what you need, but the basic functionality is there: categories, items, dates, prices, pictures, etc.

Check out What You Own Home Inventory, it's free and the only I could find with a review by a respectable site, CNET.

Hope that helps!

I have an album on my Flickr with all the razor photos, one for SOTD, and another for posting stuff for sale. Last night, I played a photo slideshow of the latter, now all gone, for kicks. I actually regretted selling only one.

Originally Posted by RayG

I have an album on my Flickr with all the razor photos, one for SOTD, and another for posting stuff for sale. Last night, I played a photo slideshow of the latter, now all gone, for kicks. I actually regretted selling only one.

Cool idea, Ray. I haven't signed up for a flickr account. Do you know if anyone has started a razor group to share photos on flickr?

Chris L

I use Open Office Calc (a free spreadsheet program).
Using a spreadsheets is real easy.

For the last 570 days I've logged what razor I've used and at what time and what I did to refresh the edge. I don't record stropping. I wanted to see I long each razor would go before I had to refresh the edge.

On feb 13, 2010 I started recording which soap I use each day (I use 14 soaps). On marsh 11, 2010 I added which brush I use (3 boars an 3 badgers).

I've added other sheets to record the dates of purchase and prices of all sorts of stuff, not only razor related stuff.

Since I use it every day I add all sorts of notes just for fun (When I changed the batteries in my mouse, day I get a haircut, batteries in my watches, when I bought jackets, shoes, etc.)

It's just for fun and because sooner or later I'm wondering when I bought something or how long something lasts, and not knowing bugs me.

For example, there is a small paper in my wallet which says "bought Sear march 2002."

I wrote "bought march 15, 76" in the cover of a C-MON barber hone.

I tape a paper on my remote controls' batteries with the date I've put them in.

Etc,...


Regards,

McKie

I use the Open Office database. It's sortable, so I can use the report function to arrange the data by any of the column headings. My headings are: Maker; Model; Width; Point; Condition; Origin; Date Bought; Where Bought; Cost; Value, and Notes. Normally I keep them arranged by Maker, but if I want to know how many Sheffields I have I can sort by Origin and it will make a report with all of the locations listed alphabetically. Because I have over 300 razors it was a tedious process of inputting all of that information since I am not a very good typist. But, in the end, I feel it was worth the effort. I have more than half my razors photographed and stored on disc. I have a Photobucket account where I upload the photos that I have currently on the forum.

Regards - Walt