One Big or Lots of Littles

Ok, so I'm sitting here thinking about all of the razors I have purchased, and I have spent a lot of money on razors that I have paid around $50.00 a piece for. I have some very fine vintage steel to show for it, and about 54 razors.

But it got me to thinking. Should I have just bought one or two really nice razors - like say a Livi? I would have spent about the same amount.

I did the same thing with pipes. I have 9 or 10 good medium priced pipes, and I could be smoking a Dunhill for the amount I spent on mediums.

So, what say all of you? Lots of littles or one big purchase?

(Or both):)

Both! :D

Credit cards are free money anyways.... Arent they..? (says the accountant...) ;)

Seriously though, I have a mix. Some of my razors have been under £20 and some have been over £200 but I got them all because I liked them. And thats really the most important thing..!

Some of my cheapest razors are my best shavers, so theres no correlation between ££ and performance.

Some of the more pricey ones I've saved for and the some of the cheap ones have been lucky wins.

And I also think you should buy the best you can afford and love it and look after it, whatever it is.

A razors condition is a really important consideration for me, so when I started buying straights I found myself somewhere in the middle of the two choices you presented. From there I realized that I was really drawn towards the custom makers as opposed to the vintage makers. This is just a personal choice, and I'm not saying that one way is preferable to another. As a result, my collection is fairly small numerically but I have tried to limit it to higher quality stuff, although not all from the custom guys like Livi, Zowada, et al.

This is exactly where I am at. Since my very first razor purchase (A Dovo "Best Quality") all of my purchases have been off of the classifieds here and all but one have been $100 or less. I am very happy with the razors I own, but I am now starting to think that since this is my passion, it is time to drop some $$ on a Wacker, Livi, TI, etc.

I'm torn on this, but I think while a $40 razor can definitely shave as well as a $240 razor, there is something to be said for craftsmanship and high quality.

Personally I would do it the way you have rather than invest in just one or two razors. My reasoning behind it is that you have had more of an opportunity to try different manufacturers, sizes and styles than you would have if you limited yourself to just a couple of higher priced razors that you may or may not have liked.

That being said, now that you have had the opportunity to try out different types of razors you should have a feel for the type that you really like and now would be the time to invest in a really nice one.

I've only splurged $50 on one razor - I guess you could call the rest of mine tinies or itsybitsies :) Adding them all up I doubt I could purchase a beat-up Fili

variety is the spice of shaving life!

It depends on your philosophy and how you approach this. When I started it was my aim to accumulate a collection of all types of razors and grinds and have a razor from all the main producers historically speaking. After having about 100 razors I realized it was going down like years ago when I started collecting minerals with the aim of collecting one of everything and then realizing that was almost impossible. You need to have a method to what you acquire. So for me at this point I look for Duble Ducks and I've acquired a decent number of newly manufactured custom class razors. At this point I don't just get razors anymore. It's gotta fit into my scheme somehow.

I was telling a guy the other day that I had 300 razors but my imagination got the best of me. I did an inventory and found it is only a bit over 200. Early on I was like a basking shark taking in every thing that was in my path but it wasn't long before I became more discriminating. Now a razor really has to speak to me before I shell out for it. It may be a high end collectible vintage piece or a custom. Than again it may be a lower priced piece that I find attractive. The last razor I bought was a Wester Bros Manganese Steel Wedge for $42.00. I bought it because I'd never seen another and it is minty. One thing that has slowed me down is that I absolutely stopped looking at ebay a month or more ago. It was almost like quitting smoking but once I got past the shakes it was okay and my bank account is feeling better. :)

It is up to you. Some collect and some have just one or two shavers. I think majority of us are something between. That is so nice about this razor thing: it is up to you really. There is no exact number of razors (or brands) that you should have.

I started with 2 razors and i just wanted to try if i could really do this all: sharpen the razor and shave. That was long before i knew about SRP. I thought i'm the only nut in the world.
After finding SRP i got temporary RAD, but i've gotten rid of it, mostly. I have about 20 razors and i've started to think that it is a way too much. Too far from the idea that i started with: keep things simple. Straight razors once were simple, cheap, effective, everyday tools that took some amount of practice before they rewarder with a perfect shave. Far from luxury. Just tools that in the hands of an experienced user became the perfect tools.

Some of my best shavers are minor brands. I have filly 14 but it doesn't beat my Swedes or Spike Union Cutlery, so it will probably go to local internet auction. I've never paid more than € 30 for a razor, with most i've paid much less.
All that is left from my RAD that if i'm still to buy another razor then i will also sell few to give some space. In the end i will only have about 5 - 10 razors i've judged to be my holy grails.

This is how i see my razors now. You just have to decide the direction you want to go. Having 100 or more razors is ok. There is no rights or wrongs.

We simply are borrowing this steel for a time. Many of our blades have seen numerous "owners" over the years. While we shave or collect them, we must keep in mind that these things don't belong to us, we will leave them behind, hopefully in better condition than when we acquired them.

While we have them, enjoy using and admiring them. Should you spend big bucks for the latest beauty? Why not, if it brings you pleasure. We should also remember that the more "things we own, the more the things own us". Only you can decide how much is enough. Sorry guys I'll get off my :soapbox:

None of my razors cost me more than $22. Now I would love to trade them in for an Alex Jaques, but I also consider...


....what is the "aw *&@^!*" value if I drop one of my current razors vs. one Alex Jaques. :D

Fancy customs are nice and make for great eye candy, but you have to ask yourself if that $1000 Livi is going to shave you any better than a $50 vintage "no-name" Solingen?

Quantity-wise, my razor collection is likely downright pitiful compared to most guys here. But quality-wise they are priceless, at least to me. I feel I have a good mix of the well known brands, grinds, styles and origins, which was my intention when I started out. Not to say some of them didn't cost some $$ (Wonderedge, anyone?)....

But in the end, who am I kidding? One of these years when my wife isn't looking I'll probably order that Williams/Livi/Zowada that I secretly wanted :)

I have only "collected" 5. But I have been having the same thoughts, that a razor has to be really special now. Been looking at the Henkel stainless 7/8. Perhaps I'll get an early xmas present??

Yes, I know it would shave just the same, but I just like the look of it.

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Originally Posted by jeffegg2

Been looking at the Henkel stainless 7/8. Yes, I know it would shave just the same, but I just like the look of it.

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I have one of those with custom scales, and is one of my showpieces. It's the only INOX in my collection and a nice razor.

I happen to have a foot in both camps. There are around 50 to 60 razors in my collection, but 4 of them represent most of the dollars spent.

Now I really enjoy those 4, but some of the others are outstanding shavers that just are not getting the use they should.

As I near retirement I consider packing my boat lighter. Besides, what are the kids going to do with them? They don't know a Dovo from a Livi.

Ultimately I foresee selling off all but 10 to 15 that I just could not do without, but not yet. No, not yet. :D

I am happy with how I am going about my purchases. To start I bought a couple from Dylan. Then a few more. I was wanting to save cash, but try as many different styles as possible. I have spent very little compared to many others and have tried many different types of blades. At this point I have few favorites and have become relatively proficient at each blade. I even went back to a blade that I hated before and now really enjoy.
At this point I have bought about a dozen or so shave-ready and another dozen that I have played with. I feel confident that I could handle any western style straight with comfort and ease. Now if I ever am able to procure a custom or even a sought after razor I will be able to appreciate it and utilize the blade to its potential.
So I guess I agree with the concept of both. Knowing what I know now I would buy a bunch of different grinds and points as well as countries of origin, then a custom or two when and if I am at that point in life.

-G

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Originally Posted by Alembic

Ok, so I'm sitting here thinking about all of the razors I have purchased, and I have spent a lot of money on razors that I have paid around $50.00 a piece for. I have some very fine vintage steel to show for it, and about 54 razors.

But it got me to thinking. Should I have just bought one or two really nice razors - like say a Livi? I would have spent about the same amount.

I did the same thing with pipes. I have 9 or 10 good medium priced pipes, and I could be smoking a Dunhill for the amount I spent on mediums.

So, what say all of you? Lots of littles or one big purchase?

(Or both):)

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With 54 razors...... "some fine vintage steel" you are
way ahead of the shaving game.

When the game switches from shaving to collecting art
you are just beginning a long and very different adventure.

With 54 razors you sort of have your work cut out giving each a
full shave evaluation. Saving for a week with a single well honed
blade is about the minimum evaluation period for deciding
if a blade is or is not a fine shaver and keeper.

All in all this sounds like fun way to spend a year.

I prefer to get the one big one.

This is just because I know what I love and want. So I know that the one I want it more worth it than lots of small razor purchases that I will never really shave with.

Why limit yourself. I've chosen to plant my feet firmly on both sides of this aisle. I have a few razors for which I have invested more than I imagined I would, and a number of inexpensive razors that give me great shaves as well. Ultimately, do what makes you happy!

I've often struggled with this question. I have to say that I am fickle. Sometimes it has to be the Livi regrind, the Robert Williams, or one of the last of the Le Grelots. However I love my little Dubl Duck collection. They were relatively cheap. Sometime it's just buying a nice Swedish Eskilstuna. I guess, at least for me, I simply like collecting razors! Now that I've said all that, I realize that I have not even come close to answering your question. Time for my nap!

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Originally Posted by Fbones24

This is exactly where I am at. Since my very first razor purchase (A Dovo "Best Quality") all of my purchases have been off of the classifieds here and all but one have been $100 or less. I am very happy with the razors I own, but I am now starting to think that since this is my passion, it is time to drop some $$ on a Wacker, Livi, TI, etc.

I'm torn on this, but I think while a $40 razor can definitely shave as well as a $240 razor, there is something to be said for craftsmanship and high quality.

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As one esteemed and unnamed member told me: 'If you buy one, you'll buy more'. He was right. It was killing me to watch a 3-pin bone spanish point go on this board, but I'd just taken delivery of #2 & 3. The only reason I use anything else is that being a noob, I feel I should get the skill down so that everything I can do on the 1/4 hollow & wedge, I can do on the hollow. So I got a hollow wacker.

I think the best is to wait patiently until you find something you really like for a great price, and make sure you'll have the money for it when it comes along.

Holli raises a great point when he mentions that "you have the money for it when it comes along."

Don't get me wrong....I like being a consumer. Spending money on stuff I really like feels good, BUT....only to the extent that it's already in the bank.

There is a Wacker on shavingshop.com that I've been drooling over for months. I really want that "something big". But I need to delay my gratification. Until then, I'll enjoy everything about my "lots of smalls".

I will have my cake and eat it too....it just sometimes takes me a little longer to get the cake in the first place!

M

I have found that all the razors I have had work for their intended purpose.. but I also found that if it sat for more than a month without being used I would end up selling it. So I now have a single straight razor that I use and have told my wife if she wants to get me a nice present I would love a high end artisan razor. All the purchases I make now I refurbish and if I end up going back to my original one then I will either sell the or give away the one I refurbished to get others into this great hobby.

For me the answer is: "it depends". If I were interested in collecting straight razors, then the more, the better. Since I am interested in razors as shaving tools, I do not buy a lot of them. I am very fond of Filarmonica razors because my first razor was a filly and I like the way they shave. I buy more fillies when I can find them in the condition I like at a reasonable price. I have small herd of them but I would say that I am a RAD sufferer. At some point, budget permitting, I would buy some custom razors too. I definitely fit in the middle category (a few mid priced but excellent razors).

Since you have over 50 razors, you already have an idea of what grinds, sizes, brands, etc. work best for you. I have found that they all work as long as the steel is good and they take a good edge. The possibilities are unlimited and you make the final decision.

Al raz.

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Originally Posted by Alembic

Ok, so I'm sitting here thinking about all of the razors I have purchased, and I have spent a lot of money on razors that I have paid around $50.00 a piece for. I have some very fine vintage steel to show for it, and about 54 razors.

But it got me to thinking. Should I have just bought one or two really nice razors - like say a Livi? I would have spent about the same amount.

I did the same thing with pipes. I have 9 or 10 good medium priced pipes, and I could be smoking a Dunhill for the amount I spent on mediums.

So, what say all of you? Lots of littles or one big purchase?

(Or both):)

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