Thread: I have started it!

I bought 20 razors in my first month after starting a thread arguing that we do not need many razors to enjoy straight shaving. Now I am trying to live up to these words. I know, many here will laugh at me...

I think I'd like to end up with 7 or so razors eventually, maybe even less. Only the ones who feel truly outstanding for my face, my hands, with my honing skills are going to be left for use, not collecting. For now, razors from some famous brands seem to be in. Others, often by the same brands, are going to be out.

I have put up my second razor for sale, a 7/8 WKC from mr_barrence. To me it still looks beautiful - gold etching, worked back, custom 3 pin wood handle. Yesterday, after listing it I took it out, touched it up on the Lithide and stropped it. Did some test shaving, and it was very good. Suddenly I was thinking that I don't want to sell it... This is HARD! But I don't really need it, and it is not as outstanding as some of the others that I have...

I LOVE straight razor shaving, but would like to settle in with a limited number of razors (including something from the Maestro maybe for Christmas) and take back control of my life. Lately I have been an ebay hound and I hate this...

Wish me luck

Cheers
Ivo

Ivo, there's no way you'll give up on all of them. You may get rid of some but then your severe case of RAD will make you buy even MORE razors! Don't fight it. Give in and enjoy the ride!

Ilija,

You are absolutely right - there is no way I will give up ALL of them! I just need to get the number from 20 down to 7 or so... Then I'll get a Livi.

And let me state in advance - when I get it, if the Livi is not as outstanding for use (vs. just looks) as the other selected members of my rotation, I will not keep it!

I just think modern people have / want much more than they really need and are very attached to material things. I like material things too, just trying to be reasonable - and it's not easy...

Cheers
Ivo

Most of my razors are cheap oldies that I rescued from the clutches of obscurity. The reason I'm so attached to them is that I made'em useful again, so I'll keep my full rotation. Once all's said and done, I'll have a rotation of 10 razors, unless I come across a good find of 2 specific brands that aren't easy to find at any price.

Originally Posted by FiReSTaRT

...Once all's said and done, I'll have a rotation of 10 razors...

That's very reasonable and exactly how I feel (give or take several razors).

I also understand collectors. It's their thing. My thing is not collecting, it's finding several outstanding personal items and using them as much as I can - this gives me more pleasure than collecting.

So, Ilija, you don't want a Livi? Come on

Ivo

It's like asking me if I don't want a Ferrari. Ofcourse I do. However, I'd still have much more affection the little Audi that I found at a junk yard and fixed up for my own use. Actually, if I had only two razors, one of them being Taylor and the other one being Livy and had to expose one of them to the risk of travelling, guess which one I'd value less and take with me.

I usually use the best I have / the thing I like most. For all I know I have one life, and it's not infinite

Ivo

There's also the risk/reward consideration. There wouldnt' be a much higher reward factor for taking my favourite razor on vacation, but chances are that it will be seen by someone without me even knowing it and baggage handlers/tsa people have been known to steal not only items but whole bags full of stuff. So if I leave my favourite at home, chances are I'll use it more where I do most of my shaving.

when i first came to these boards and professed my desire to keep my razors few, someone told me to come back in a few months and repeat it. well, it's been three months and i still have only two razors, and i use the second once every three weeks or so, just to see how my honing is coming along. just wanted to interrupt as a voice of reason here and say that it's possible to enjoy straight razor shaving without going nuts. having said that, though, i can respect the urge to restore old pieces.

I've been straight for a while, but most of that time was spent with a rotation of 1 or 2 blades. Most of my rotation came in the last 40% of time since I went straight.

Edit: So don't think you're in the clear just yet