Thread: Why sets of seven?

I have noticed that razors are sometimes sold in sets of seven. One for each day of the week. Why sets of seven? Is there something wrong with using one SR every day?

Why not? There are seven days in a week. It was something sold to the "Well Heeled ". As big spendur once said, just a nice luxury, and yes one will do, but why have only one? Tc

With a set of seven you or your valet did not have to worry about stropping the blades and they could be regularly stropped by someone else during the week and the gentile or his man servant need not worry about such a menial task.

Considering the number of razors some people own. I am surprised there isn't a 30 day set.

On an unrelated note. Someone can make a killing making 30 razor boxes for this crowd.

Why 7 day sets ? Because a 365 day set would be too heavy! But seriously,there is nothing wrong with shaving with the same razor daily. But it is nice to have that second or third (or seventh)shave ready blade handy in the event the first one is damaged or is in need of a honing. A seven day set assured the owner that he would probably only need the set honed once per year.

I really don't know about the 30 day sets. I do remember My grandfarther and him shaving. He had one razor. He shave about once a week or two weeks. Sometimes he would use soap and sometimes just hot water. I would think along the same line as RezDog. The more to do folks had the seven day sets and someone else would see to it that they were honed.

I had wondered about honing being a factor. It would make sense for people living in isolated regions, on campaign, or traveling, to have multiple razors to tide them over fir a year or more. I'm really imagining it starting as a necessity for an officer or wealthy traveler turned into a luxury item and mark of status.

Originally Posted by rhensley

I really don't know about the 30 day sets. I do remember My grandfarther and him shaving. He had one razor. He shave about once a week or two weeks. Sometimes he would use soap and sometimes just hot water. I would think along the same line as RezDog. The more to do folks had the seven day sets and someone else would see to it that they were honed.

It was tongue in cheek.

Originally Posted by Rami

Considering the number of razors some people own. I am surprised there isn't a 30 day set.

On an unrelated note. Someone can make a killing making 30 razor boxes for this crowd.

What about months with 31 days?

I've seen set's of two, three and of course seven, all had the idea of rotation of the razors and to spread out the maintenance.

With a 7 Day set, you or your servant could pop down to the local barber and have the entire set refreshed and you'd be good to go for another few months.

And let's not forget the old tale that many thought the edge needed to be allowed to, "fin" or reset for 24 hours between uses...so more than one was a good thing. You'll also see frame backed razors that came with two, three and seven different blades that you could swap out.

And of course, good marketing existed back in the day as well; hence exotic scale materials and fancy spine work and etchings....