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

I've read about the "7 day" sets......was that just an expensive option of the time or was there validity to using a different razor each day?

Originally Posted by AnglesMatter

I've read about the "7 day" sets......was that just an expensive option of the time or was there validity to using a different razor each day?

If a well honed good quality razor can last months with just good stropping, imagine how long a 7-day set will last between sharpenings.

I've read that some of the sets were for persons on Foreign Service. Meaning they as military or Politicos could not be assured of a good razor if one went dull or broke. Other than that, I believe, as you suggested, the wealthy had the money and pretty bribes were in fashion.
JMO
~Richard

Could be a sales tactic by the razor makers to sell 7 razors in one go, also offer fancy high end razors to fill the sets at a higher price.

All good suggestions......thanks guys.

I foresee a nice 7 day set in my RAS* future.

*Razor Acquisition Syndrome

I wonder just how "expensive" they were for the times? They were just razors after all. I'm sure they weren't something that everyone had but was that because they were relatively expensive for the times or just something that most people weren't that interested in?

Just like today even among the wet shaving community. Some people have lots of razors or soaps or brushes. Other's have fewer items but it's not really because they can't afford to have more.

I do think, as was mentioned above, that they seem pretty convenient given how long you could go between maintenance honing.

A 7 day set might actually be cheaper than 7 individual razors....we see this concept all the time. Ski condos often offer "deals" if one rents a whole week and a socket set is certainly cheaper than buying each socket at a time.

I saw a leather roll of razors on ebay....the razors were average with nothing special about those. I suspect that was a lower end version. Now the highly optioned sets would have gotten pricey for sure but it one had the means, it had to be nice. *Life is nice for those that have the money these days.

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.

Originally Posted by Legman

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.

Back in those days straight shaving was something a few folks did in the closet and you could buy any razor for next to nothing. Typical razors in good shape you had to pay for folks to take.

As late as 2005 on eboy if you searched straights you got maybe 1200 razors. Now its's over 10 times that amount.

In 1964 on my way to High School every day I walked right by the Duble Duck Store without giving it a second look. Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda, or if I only knew then what I know now.