Thread: what was the point of making 7-day razor sets?

Ok, I get the "One razor for everyday of the week" part, but why?

Why not just use your one razor every day? I think I read in wikipedia there was a theory that a razor "had to rest" and therefore that was the reason for 7-day sets.

I wanna know

Oh that theory just developed as was a way to allow people to convince their significant others that they needed more razors (ok maybe not, but who knows)... They make seven day sets because there are seven days in a week and because they can and people will buy them. You certainly could get by with one razor, but what's the fun in that? Just sit back and let the RAD (razor acquisition disorder) sink in.

There are two schools of thought here.

The one you mention is that the microscopic striations on the edge need time to realign between uses, hence 7 day sets and the recommendation that you have at least two razors.

The other school (and the one I have found to be true) is that it doesnt really matter! Stropping is the key to keeping your razor in good condition and as long as you strop before and after each shave you will keep your edge in good condition. Oh, and making sure you dry it off correctly before storing it.

When I started out I only had one razor (as most of us did) and I used it every day for several months with no ill effect. I just did my normal stropping (25 material, 50 leather before and 10 material and 15 leather after) and made sure I dried the razor off properly and it was absolutely fine.

So you CAN get by with just the one, but wheres the fun in that..? :-) If you really want to make the "7 day set" guys go crazy, get yourself a 365 day set..! Hehe! And feel the RAD!

Interestingly, none of the old farmers and ranchers I knew when I was a kid in rural east Texas had more than one straight razor at a time, and they sharpened their razors themselves. The idea of someone else sharpening thier razors was completely unheard of. Also, they didn't spend any time fussing over honing technique.

We Americans look at things a bit differently than our British cousins. As an example take shotguns. Our American shotguns were heavy, robustly made and not particularly attractive field pieces. They were tools, that's it. They did their job very well putting meat on the table and dispatching vermin.

The Brits on the other hand made elegant shotguns, highly engraved and stocked with the finest walnut. Balanced perfectly, they were often made in matched pairs (an expensive proposition even with today's CNC machinery). They were (and still are) works of art.

Straight razors are probably similar. To us, a tool, nothing more. It removes facial hair. Why on earth would you spend extra money getting seven of them, with fancy handles and engraving even! Why it made no sense to our country's settlers!

But to a "refined gentleman" of means? Why works of art are in order! That is why we have Purdey shotguns and Ferraris, Saville Row suits, and custom made fedoras.

A tool is a tool. I will use a Craftsman wrench, but I love to use my Snap-Ons!

Originally Posted by flylot

Straight razors are probably similar. To us, a tool, nothing more. It removes facial hair. Why on earth would you spend extra money getting seven of them, with fancy handles and engraving even! Why it made no sense to our country's settlers!

So why do Americans like their gas guzzling muscle cars that come with a gazzilion cup holders, soggy suspension and more horse power than you will ever need as long as you are not towing your own house?

Compare that to the european cars that emphasize the functional aspect of a car, and try to be as economic and efficient as possible.

Originally Posted by flylot

We Americans look at things a bit differently than our British cousins.
..... Why on earth would you spend extra money getting seven of them, with fancy handles and engraving even! Why it made no sense to our country's settlers!

But our country's settlers were British...

Originally Posted by flylot

The Brits on the other hand made elegant shotguns, highly engraved and stocked with the finest walnut. Balanced perfectly, they were often made in matched pairs (an expensive proposition even with today's CNC machinery). They were (and still are) works of art.

Holland and Holland & Purdey still make elegant made to measure shotguns. I've just read the review for an H & H , yours for £40,000. The sad thing is that the basic working shotguns that I grew up with; B.S.A., Webley & Scott and Greener, to name but three, have been superceded by foreign imports. My first shotgun aged 9,was was a Webley .410.

Originally Posted by sffone

Interestingly, none of the old farmers and ranchers I knew when I was a kid in rural east Texas had more than one straight razor at a time, and they sharpened their razors themselves. The idea of someone else sharpening thier razors was completely unheard of. Also, they didn't spend any time fussing over honing technique.

They just wanted to get 'er done, they had vegi-tables to pick, and pigs to slit from ear to ear, cows too

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