Cataloging my collection

Like many I've jumped into the deep end and started acquiring a lot of straights, hoping to experience as many styles and brands as I can, and always scared that I'll miss out on a deal. I'm finally starting to get over that last bit.

I want to keep track of what I've purchased, and I'm wondering what systems others may have developed for this. Best would be a simple database, but I'm leaning toward low tech using 3x5 cards and a nice little box. Seems to fit the hobby better than Microsoft Access, even though the latter would have the benefit of making it easy to include pictures.

I'm wondering what fields I'll want besides the obvious of brand, blade condition, scales condition, price, etc. For instance, when purchasing "shave ready" blades I'm asking the seller what honing regimen they used so I can try to compare edges. But I doubt that info. is going to be useful to me long term.

Anyone else worked out what data they find meaningful in keeping track of their collection?

Thanks,
Jack

I always keep track of the date of the razor's last honing. Unless you have only a couple razors, it's easy to keep track of. If you have a ton of razors, it's easier than using the memory. :D

I've bought a lot of razors as well, and the nice ones will go into a display I'm planning on making.

What I do when I buy something from the classifieds, or a web site vendor, is copy and paste all the info about the razor into a word doc. For example, for every razor I buy off the classifieds (whether for display or shaving), I copy the complete ad, including the forum username of the person selling it. All this goes into a word doc on that razor.

I then create another file for that razor in which I place all the .jpg posted in the ad.

When I receive the notification from paypal on the purchase, as well as the notification from the seller (most guys send an email to acknowledge the purchase), I copy and paste the seller's name and email address into the word doc below their forum user ID.

When I receive the package, I put their physical address into the word doc as well. (And some of you guys really need to work on your handwriting! I look at some addresses and can't figure anything out from them. I swear some of the guys here selling on the classifieds must be doctors or something!).

That way I have everything about the razor on my computer.

I would like to put a tag under each razor that I put into display with the name of the person I bought it from, but have really yet to figure out what the best approach to that would be. I thought it would be a nice touch in the display, as well as to honor the guys I bought them from, because they put a lot of work into restorations of the razors.

As to making index cards--way too much work for someone as lazy as I am!

Kent

I started keeping a ledger of what I got, but it makes for hard days finding any one razor. I like the idea of the 3x5 cards, maybe a printout shrunk doen to 3x5 so a pic can be added??

With my latest crash on time many blades went un logged so I may have to scrap past info and find a system I can keep up with that requires little time or thought :p

boy am I messed up..I just base it off the shave...I haveabout 20 in two mug by the sink tht are the best shavers..Henkels, Dovo a Wacker on the way I got a steal on....But saying that I also have a Hibbard Spencer tht shave just as well as the big boys.....SO, the way I do it is I keep 5 for te most imrtant unday shave and evrything else slowly filters out..No use i keeping tuf you don't shave with,;One man's trash is anaothers treasure...One point I always make is my Sub Zero...Worht bigbucks,but to big for me to shave with...I trade it to a buddy gave me a bizmard and an Engels..I like both bettter, and he thanks me everytime he sees me.