Thread: Did the "Seven Day" sets have a function or were those a fad?

The multi-day set long predates what you could call 'modern' steel -- the stuff that really took off in the 1760's with Huntsman. The razors made before then needed regular honing, so multi-day sets helped make sure there were always razors ready to use. Owning your own razor(s) was originally a sign of luxury. As late as the 1770's the Reverend John Pye paid an annual shaving contract, in Sheffield.

7 day sets were not common. They were marketed for the well heeled and often times they were top of the line pieces with fancy ornate scales and fancy boxes. It wasn't something the average Joe would ever acquire.

Most folks owned one or two razors and that was it. Even though you could put together your own 7 day set for less (just like now) once you matched and labeled them and got them in a presentation case the markup was huge. TI had a 7 day set a few years ago, they might still have it. The price will take your breath away.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

7 day sets were not common. They were marketed for the well heeled and often times they were top of the line pieces with fancy ornate scales and fancy boxes. It wasn't something the average Joe would ever acquire.

Most folks owned one or two razors and that was it. Even though you could put together your own 7 day set for less (just like now) once you matched and labeled them and got them in a presentation case the markup was huge. TI had a 7 day set a few years ago, they might still have it. The price will take your breath away.

Here is a modern Thiers Issard 7 day set for sale for under $2000 Canadian (ABOUT $1500 USD). Given the cost of the presentation box, the spine engraving and price to buy the razors individually, that’s not a bad price. Too rich for me, but there are folks who pay a lot for NOS individual vintage razors.

https://www.fendrihan.ca/collections...traight-razor#

This is my 7 day set. It's not really a 7 day set but it's what I have ended up with after buying and selling a lot of razors and I finally decided I just wanted to end up with 7 razors total that I really liked and to sell the rest.

There are five pictured here that I'm keeping (not the one on the far left), one that isn't pictured and one that hasn't arrived yet. My total cost including the wooden cigar box is $400.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

7 day sets were not common. They were marketed for the well heeled and often times they were top of the line pieces with fancy ornate scales and fancy boxes. It wasn't something the average Joe would ever acquire.

Most folks owned one or two razors and that was it. Even though you could put together your own 7 day set for less (just like now) once you matched and labeled them and got them in a presentation case the markup was huge. TI had a 7 day set a few years ago, they might still have it. The price will take your breath away.

Is this it?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Thiers-Issa...cAAOSwxN5WZvot

Here is a 7 day set from the TI web site.

https://www.thiers-issard.fr/en/stra...s-napoleon-604

Note that the handles are made of "legal" ivory. No price listed but bet it is eye watering.

Bob

Originally Posted by bcw

My understanding is that a gentleman had a "gentleman's gentleman" who kept his clothes and accessories in good order. A sharp razor was one of those expected accessories to always be correct. Good old days...

Above explanation comes close to the point, I believe.


Over time, I picked up two 7-day sets and they do come in handy.

Whether you had a manservant, took the set to the nearest barber to have him hone and strop the set for you, or took care of the set yourself, there was a convenience in starting the week with an entire set of razors stropped and ready to go.

And when the week was over, the set was prepped for the next week.
As mentioned earlier, it was probably something for the well off and only a few could spare the coin for it, while the rest made do with one or two razors and may only have shaved 2-3 times a week.

Rising at 5 am, I certainly do appreciate an opportunity to save a few minutes — although it does not go as far as reaching for a can of shaving foam and a system razor.

A 7-day set comes equally handy for travels. Firstly, many came with a suitable razor case that made it easy to pack them safely in a suitcase, and secondly depending on trip length there was no need to pack a strop.


B.

Check this out guys...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCSECOzKszE

beluga,

No need for a strop? Reason enough right there!

A few years back DOVO produced a seven day set of 5/8 Round point Pearlex. Many years ago, before I started straight razor shaving I saw a seven day set, don’t Re the brand but I remember they were German. They had genuine elephant ivory hand carved scales. They had never been used. They were made in the late 1800s and came in a beautiful Mahogany Velvet lined case. No scratches on the case. This was 1979 I think. The lady wanted $500.00 and I nearly bought them just for a collectible. I have quite a few razors. I keep 8 razors shave ready and shave with a different one each day so the edge on my razor last a long long time! When the time finally comes to refresh one I tune all of them up at the same time.

Beautiful razors. I wish I hadn’t seen it. LOL.