Thread: Showing Your Collection to the Uninitiated!

Having developed a collection of 28 razors representing the USA, Germany, France, Sweden, England, and Spain in a variety of sizes and grinds, I enjoy the collection and find it fun to share it with interested friends. However, after the first couple of experiences, I have become concerned about the lack of care in which an uninitiated person handles a very, sharp straight razor. More than once, I have saved one of my friends from really cutting themselves. No one in my circle of friends use a straight razor and most of them have never actually held a straight razor before.

My friends don't seem to realize how sharp a razor is and that you don't test it by running your finger down the edge or hold the razor by closing your hand around the blade.


I keep all my razors in a beautiful 14" x 7" x 3" wooden display case and it has to be opened to even see the razors. I feel awkward showing them the razors and either not allowing them to handle them or having to give a set of instructions or warnings before I do let them handle them.


While I am, of course, a little concerned about damage to the edge or the razor, I am more concerned about someone seriously cutting themselves. My wife always wants me to show the collection to our friends but I am getting really gun-shy about it. After some near-call incidents, showing them gives me more stress than satisfaction. I am about to the point of keeping a bread-knifed razor for show and tell. I really like my case but I see why some people put their collections in glass cabinets; more to protect the uninitiated than to protect the razors.

How do the rest of you handle this situation.

Only razor people come to my house. Or friends that I've been friends with long enough that they know better.

I have my shaving razors in a stand outside my bathroom, except for the one I will be shaving with next. My friends that come over and ask about them I gladly show them the razors....if they wanna hold one or give closer inspection to one, I let them look at one of the ones in the to be restored box....namely one with a cracked blade that I wont be able to repair or use (no worries if the razor gets hurt). It's a razor I let them know how sharp even the old rusty ones can be. One of my friends asked and was curious enough to start shaving. Luckily I have no children so I know kids won't get into them, and when my nephews come over I put them in my gun safe....better safe than sorry.
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After having a friend to thumb a blade like some do a pocket knife and cutting himself...almost dropping the razor I have developed a look but don't touch policy. I have a glass front display case that holds 22 razors that works well for this.

I have shown a few of my friends razors that I own. I only tell them one thing; be careful, don't drop it.
I'm more worried about them damaging my blade, than I am about their curiosity for it's sharpness.
I figure as adults, they know that razors are sharp. I don't allow kids to touch them, not even my son.
Thank God no damaged blades or cuts, yet.

I intend to build a little display case with a locking transparent front door and "hidden" compartments for some desiccant gel sachets. Right now my little collection is kept in my bed side drawer away from inquisitive fingers and if I show them to people they get warned.

Under lock and key in a Pelican Case in my bedroom! Trust no-one!

There used to be a store here that specialized in Glass Ornaments. Almost any color you could imagine! It was really very nice/I bought my mother some blue glassware that she still has/I gave them to her in 1969!

Anyway, all throughout the store were these place cards that said:

"Pretty to look at and precious to hold.
But if you break it, consider it sold."

When I show a non-straight razor friend a razor, I ALWAYS hold it and just let them look! I have a very modest collection, but I know that the 'uninformed' and haven't got a clue about how really sharp they are, or how easily they can be damaged!

My little restorations "alcove" is just off of our living room. This is a bonus in some ways because I usually have two or three razors on the go in there all the time. Friends can see the stages of restoration, scale making, and of course may fondle a dull blade if they like. If they persist and want to see a finished product, I hold it while I "explain" a few things (mostly about how I finish the wood)...rather boring.. but it provides a forum for me to slip in "oh yeah....and then I hone them and shave with them. You can hold it if you like, but please don't touch the blade."

So far, that speech seems to work. However, I also bring out a "regular" razor, as opposed to some of my more personal and favorite stash.

DLB, I suggest you invite fewer morons over for tea.

I guess I live in a strange part of town. When I show somebody my razors they kinda already know they're 'razor sharp'.