Thread: Who has a matched set of razors?

I am just starting to get into Straight Razors. My first razor has not even arrived yet and I think I am addicted. lol. But anyway, after reading hundreds of posts and comments on these lovely sharp blades, I now have a goal to find my personal favourite type of razor and make a matched set of 7 razors for my personal grooming needs. Or maybe just 6, and save one spot for a rotation of new blades, to keep me interested in this fun hobby, and in case I ever find a type I like more. So I can make another matched set, HA!
But anyway, I am just wondering, how many people on this forum have found a type of blade they like, and have gone to the trouble of finding more of the same and are now a permanent part of a small rotation. I say small because I do not think it counts if you have a 50 blade rotation and 7 of them happen to be the same but each twin is separated from the next by weeks.
Or, for that matter. Who has started out with a number of matched blades, say from an antique seven day set purchase?

You might find this tread interesting:
http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...-day-sets.html

i thought about it for a while then kicked the idea around some more.......i still like the idea of a 7 day set but your still just using the same thing every day i would end up using monday every day until it needed to be honed then start using tuesday to the same effect.
but on the other hand a cased pair is more practical and cheaper... perfect for a weekend trip you dont have to bring a strop with you, the razors are in a protective case(one less thign to worry about) just a brush a bowl and some shaving cream

but it all comes down to what YOU want do you want to use the same thing everyday or would you rather use something different every day?

I think someone tried to do that with Spike's but is having trouble finding exact matches. Don't remember who or what happened with that. And I have considered a similar thing.

I think you will find as you get into it that it is much more realistic that you make groupings or sub-rotations than a perfect 7 day set, for example, 7 extra hollow solingens, and/or 7 Gencos (but different models), etc. This way you get the variety you will crave but still have some cohesion.

My personal strategy (that I have not kept up with due to lack of camera) is buy blades I will probably like, and pit them against my other razors. Winners stay, losers get sold.
Exceptions are collector pieces and specials.

So for me it looks like this:
J.A. Schmidt and Sohn, Friedr. Baurmann and Sohne, Robert Buntenbach, Hess 44, FWE Leader, Crown and Sword 1166, and a Hoffritz.
Exceptions (keepers): My resto-d Tally Ho and anything duck related- Goldedge, CS Bresnick SupreJ, Special #1

Just an observation from years of collecting straight razors. I have observed that in many 7 day sets there will be one or two razors out of the set that show use. The others will be pristine. I have also observed many old sets that are mint and unused.

I have two such sets and I haven't done more than wipe them down with a rust preventative. The original owners probably prized them having received them as a gift and kept them in pristine condition. Not the rule and maybe an exception but I've seen it often enough.

As for me I like variety so as nice as the sets are I prefer to shave with different razors on a given day. Usually something that I'm honing either for the first time or trying to improve from what I've already done. Too bad we can only shave once a day.

+1 wise words- variety is the spice of life!

I kinda wish I had a nice 7-day set as an heirloom though... JoeD has a 7-day set of Bokers in Ivory with Frenchpoints and it just looks so elegant.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Just an observation from years of collecting straight razors. I have observed that in many 7 day sets there will be one or two razors out of the set that show use. The others will be pristine. I have also observed many old sets that are mint and unused.

I have two such sets and I haven't done more than wipe them down with a rust preventative. The original owners probably prized them having received them as a gift and kept them in pristine condition. Not the rule and maybe an exception but I've seen it often enough.

As for me I like variety so as nice as the sets are I prefer to shave with different razors on a given day. Usually something that I'm honing either for the first time or trying to improve from what I've already done. Too bad we can only shave once a day.

Welcome to SRP this site is a godsend for new shavers don't be afraid to ask questions. I would like a seven day set but more for collectability, I enjoy using a variety too much to stick with just one brand/style. There are several guys from the region, we should think about a get together in the spring/summer

I've never cared much for the concept of a 7 day set. Who wants to use the same razor all the time?

I do have two matched pairs, a brace of Weltmeisters that Max rescaled for me, and a brace of Fillarmonica #13s, one in red scales the other in white. I only did this after falling in love with one, then purchasing the second. Both sets are made up of new-old-stock razors so any variance is kept to a minimum.

One other brace that I've kept is a combination of an 11/16ths Spike and an 11/16ths Case Red Imp 132. Very similar, yet nicely different.

I have a pristine 7 day set of Gems. I have used the Thursday as well as the Sunday, I dont think they had ever been used before so I haven't used them since in the 2 or 3 yrs I have had them, but they do look nice!

PensiveDragon

The closest thing I've got to a set is a Le Coultre frameback with a set of six blades. I've only got three working so far. As for seven-day sets I've never really hankered after one, but I'll be interested to see yours when it's complete. Be sure to post pictures.

goshawk