Thread: Razor rotation

I use to shave myself once a day and have a pretty strong beard.

So far I only have one straight razor, and 50 years old but quite nice Henckels nº14, how many razors do you think is good to have in order to rotate and keep the razor in the perfect shape?

Thanks for your help

Cheers

For more years than any of us are old most people had only one razor. Go figure. I guess one is all that is needed, two would be nice but what do I know? I think I use any single razor of mine once a year if I shave every day.

Part of the fun of this is not just shaving, but the collecting. "Old timers" only had one razor because it was just a simple daily tool. But for us, it's heritage and history. I enjoy several razors because I like having more windows and doors opening on to a by-gone age.

Shaving is the main thing, but collecting is fun too.

Realistically, I think two is the optimum minimum (if that makes any sense). I rotate between two razors for several months, then I'll move those two out of rotation and into temporary storage, and then move another two into active duty. I do it this way because I found that keeping more than two in my active rotation caused some problems with rusting, because the razors in active rotation are kept in the bathroom where it's usually quite humid. And living in Louisisana, the humidity is already quite high most of the time. And the reason for having two at a time is because it allows me to always have a sharp razor -- if one needs touching up I can use the other one until I have time to work on the first one.

After counting my "shave-ready" razors... I'm gonna have to say somewhere around 19 is optimal. That means I still "need" a few more.

Once I figure out this honing thing... I'll be in business.

Edit to add... @Sffone: I have no trouble with rusting. I don't keep the razors or the strop in the bathroom and I oil the razors with about 1/2 drop of Camellia Oil after each use. Keeps the blades clean and rust free.

Some gents here have large collection of razors and some shave happily with just one or two. Most are maybe something between.
In my opinion two would be minimum to secure comfortable daily shaves. If one gets dull, you can always pick another to finish the job.

As many as you can afford or as many as the wife or girlfriend will allow.

Just throwing some thoughts in. I had a single Korn straight razor for over 30 years. I stropped on my belt, and honed on a stone passed down from my Grandfather. It worked, and I never thought it needed to be different.
Then a friend of mine told me about ebay, SRP, and B&B. Wow, look at all the possibilities! My searches in the razor/computer realm only brought more.
I started to develope a collection. Wy wife suggests I developed an obsession. So, my rotation now covers a large portion of the year.

This same friend, who made me aware of razors on the web, told me when his Grandfather, father, and three uncles came over from Italy they had one razor and a hone. Their rotation consisted of passing the razor to the next guy to shave with it.
I would say have at least two. If you have to send it out to get honed you're still in business. Or, if you should have the misfortune to drop one and break it, you have another with which you are familiar. It can happen.
As others have said, one will do, more ain't bad either. A matter of personal choice.
But be forewarned; buying razors is very much like potato chips. You can't stop at just one.
I myself only need one more!

Ed
quicknicker

One is more than enough... hehe

I am already looking for a second razor and some guy in Spain offered me two Filarmonicas, actually one proper Filarmonica and a Ducal apparently at a good price, I will try to stay firm and only buy one...

Thanks everyone

Originally Posted by jpm7676

As many as you can afford or as many as the wife or girlfriend will allow.

Yep, or as many as the wife says you can afford.
I'm on 13 shave ready and not stopping yet.