Thread: Poll: are you a razor collector?

I didnt start out that way, it was all so innocent, and then RAD set in and I couldn't help myself, I needed MORE!!! Hi, my names Kelly and I'm a RADaholic.

I've been shaving for 8 weeks or so.

Was given 1 razor
Bought 5 razors
Sold 3 razors
Gave away 1 razor

Net: 2 - I decided I needed one to keep an extra around if I ever have to send one out for expert sharpening

Originally Posted by crichton

I just love my Pakistani razor....it's the only one I'll ever need......

...to use as a letter opener ?

I'll be the non-collector. I've only paid for four razors and three of those were a lot on e-bay, so I've only made two razor purchases. I've been given many others as gifts from friends or family who find out my hobby and think I could use the old ones they have stuffed in a drawer somewhere. If I didn't ask for it I haven't collected it.

Interesting question. I don't see myself as a collector, but my razor corral is growing. However, I do shave or intend to shave with every razor I've purchased.

I think there are at least three or four different classes of people in relation to straight razors:

1) IMO what would be defined as a someone who is solely a collector of straight razors. A true collector. This type of person would not actually shave with straight razors. My guess is that such a person would not frequent shaving forums. These are also the people that would pay a significant amount of money for a vintage razor with unique good scales, but which the blade would have a 1/4" (HUGE) chunk missing/unrepairable blade, but not visible when the razor is closed.
2) A collector/user of straight razors.
3) A user of straight razors before being a collector.
4) A user of straight razors that has only a few razors they use to shave with and shave with very proficiently.

I assume as years go by I'll be hovering somewhere between #2 & #3.

Chris L

Originally Posted by Bart

While I don't really consider myself a collector of anything, I have to admit I have acquired more razors than expected. I'm on some quest to try-out the different blade sizes, grinds, stainless/carbon alloys.
Is that how the much debated RAD starts out? He asks himself a bit worried?

Just keep in mind that referring to oneself as a collector is more respectable than referring to oneself as an addict.

A collector? No. An accumulator? Yes, definitely. A guy has to have a hobby....right?

I don't see myself as a collector. I just scoop up any nice razors I happen to see. I guess I'm a razor scooper.
Ernest

My rotation is only 3 razors. I can't be bothered to spend a lot of money on razors.
I do have a growing number of stones, but that is partially because I do restoration and it is very handy to have different stones for different purposes.

I have a pile of restoration razors, but these will all be sold as soon as they are restored. I generally don't hang on to fancy razors.
Though a couple will be kept for reference for when I finally make my own razors.

I would be in the accumulator category. With straights and DEs.
I shave with only two different DE's that I use when the mood strikes though I own more than 80 and have three straights in rotation though I have 52 of them.
I do not collect for rarity or anything like that. I accumulate working tools.
Part of it is my constant search for a deal and when found hard to pass up because I recognize the value of the piece. So if I see a good razor at a really good price I pick it up and pass it on to someone later. With the straights I am doing that as well and I am trying different razors to find my favorites as well as restoring.