Thread: Building a rotation

I shave about 6 days a week. I have enough razors in rotation that I only use a specific razor about once a month. I was grouping razors by blade width, but recently decided to group more by vendor/type. So now I might be shaving with a 7/8" TI one day and a 6/8" TI the next followed by a 7/8" Aust and a 6/8" Aust., then Wacker, BRW, Jerry Stark, etc. I only have a few 5/8" thrown into the mix. I keep my razors in slotted plastic boxes with 6-7 razors per box. I use all the razors in one box and then move to the next.

The only time I use a razor more than one day in a row is if I get less than a stellar shave. Then I take the razor to the stones for a refresh and shave with it again the next day to make sure my refresh was successful, if not, back to the drawing board...uh...hones and strops.

I also have enough shaving soaps and a few creams to use a different one for each shave during the month. However, for these, I do not have a strict rotation. Each shave, I select the soap/cream that matches the mood I am in that day. Do I want an aromatic fougere, a spicy oriental, a bright chypre, a deep earthy or grassy aroma, or a barbershop scent that day? I have a friend who uses MWF every day. It is a great soap once you learn its nuances, but I like choices of soap bases and scents.

I have a variety of brushes of various types: badger, boar, horse hair, synthetic. I do not have enough for a monthly rotation. I tend to pick the brush based on the soap/cream selected for that day. Some soaps seem to work better with specific brushes. For example, I would tend to use a badger brush that holds a lot of water if I selected a thirsty soap.

It's been really cool to see everyone's setups and hear different reasons and choices for the rotation or lack thereof. One common thread seems to exist we all have certain razors we do definitely prefer to others. I am amazed that some of you in the extreme level of ownership volume have such a good recall for each razor.

You never forget the ones u love, or hate.

I've yet to say to myself "Don't remember this one" but I have said, " oh, I remember this one".

I don't have a rotation. I don't even own more than a couple of razors.
I'll shave with whatever razor needs to be test shaved at the time, and if I don't have one, I'll pick the first from my drawer that comes to hand.

Originally Posted by Bruno

I don't have a rotation. I don't even own more than a couple of razors.
I'll shave with whatever razor needs to be test shaved at the time, and if I don't have one, I'll pick the first from my drawer that comes to hand.

Shaving with a new snailforge daily must be a blessing and a curse. Do you ever use one and feel sad to see it go?