Building a rotation

So, as I have built a not large and mostly focused group of razors. The question I have is there a specific reason for your go-to rotation? I currently have ten razors and five of them "standout" for different reasons as my go-to shavers. I find myself going for blades lately that have no specific connection of design or build more how they speak to me. Literally, I find myself longing to shave with some and therefore it's in the rotation. Just curious as I build further if a specific rotation may be my goal or just work through a huge and highly enjoyable cycle.

IMHO, YMMV
I would say having a few blades that you enjoy would be sufficient. But...I have added a lot of blades over the last ten years for every reason under the sun.
Do what feels good and that you can easily afford. It is easy to spend a lot of money on the "hunt" for blades.
Enjoy the hobby and the shaves and then consider what will be the best for you and your finances.
Be well and prosper!
~Richard

My go to changes all the time. I have a few that I choose more often than others, and that changes. Typically I will pick a razor and use it for a week or so. Some have a dedicated rotation.

I just use what i feel like that day.
Right now im in the process of going thru them all to check them for shave ready as my honing was hit and miss a few months back.

Some like to have just a few to use on a regular basis and its best to do what you want. Its all your choice.

I start with the top razor in the first cabinet and go to the next razor in the rotation until I get back to the first razor. It takes a while with 80 or so razors but I figure I bought them, restored a lot of them and pretty much honed them all, so I use them all.

I rotate through my soaps and brushes the same way.

The only exception is the "Sunday Shave," where I usually pick out something special.

Good luck in your persuit.

Pete <:-}

I have a seven day rotation. It makes it easy to keep track of the number of shaves between honing. I just make a note of the date the razor was honed and count Wednesdays or whatever. The population of the seven day set does change with the times.

I only really keep track out of a curiosity, but generally get 80-100 shaves between honing.

I have essentially three groups of razors.

My preferred ones, the good ones, and the standbys that I really should consider selling.

With exception of the last group, I pull out one of my razor cases in rotation (razors are in razor cases of 5-8 each - think “razor case of the week”), but in-between I sometimes reach for one of my favourites, or use a razor that I just had worked on and where I want to see whether it brought the hoped for results.



B

I would never like a set rotation of any of my shaving products, and enjoy whatever feels right at the moment. To save time in the morning, I generally pick out and strop a razor, and pick out a soap and a brush the night before. I don't have a clue as to how I choose these items, only I seem to be attracted toward some products and away from others. I rarely use the same products more than one day in a row, although I'll occasionally get a fantastic shave from a particular razor and decide to use it again the following day.

I do sort of separate the razors that seem easier to use (e.g. a 5/8 Puma) from those that require a great deal of concentration (MK 32). I often haven't gotten enough sleep on Monday mornings, and will pick an "easy" razor, one that I could almost shave with blindfolded. When I have the luxury of spending as much time as I like on a shave, I'll generally pick an 8/8 hollow ground razor, one that I shouldn't attempt to use while half asleep. I often pick soaps and scents based on who I might be with that day, such as those I know my wife likes, and perhaps more masculine scented soaps if having lunch with a friend. I don't like rotations and just try to have fun shaving each morning.

Every shave for me is a honing test.
I usually take 2 freshly honed blades into the bathroom, one for back up.
If I do have a bad shave I blame the shaving cream :)

I'm still figuring out what I like best, but I just pick whichever razor I feel like using. I'm gravitating towards larger hollow blades, but I'm not sure if I like full hollow or extra hollows better. I'll have to find some to try out!:hmmm: I've got a hollow blade about 6/8 I like, but I would like to try something larger.
I try not to worry about keeping track of number of shaves and which razor I used when. Maybe I will in the future, but right now I'm trying to keep shaving a simple/relaxing activity.:chapeau

I just turn off the lights and grab what ever.

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Some days I'll choose. But there are those favorite ones of the 7/8ths persuasion.

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Originally Posted by outback

I just turn off the lights and grab what ever.

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Some days I'll choose. But there are those favorite ones of the 7/8ths persuasion.

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What is an example of one of your favorite 7/8?

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Originally Posted by outback

I just turn off the lights and grab what ever.

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Some days I'll choose. But there are those favorite ones of the 7/8ths persuasion.

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I really like your "whatever." I want one of those.

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Originally Posted by evnpar

I really like your "whatever." I want one of those.

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Its a revamped jewelry box

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Originally Posted by JP5

What is an example of one of your favorite 7/8?

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Hmm..let's see.

Attachment 292560
A pair of Wosties

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A Frederick Reynolds

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George F Rohr

You Da' Man, Mike! :tu

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Originally Posted by outback

I just turn off the lights and grab what ever.

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Interesting, do you sometimes cut yourself when choosing? ;)

Nah! I think I can honestly say!
Mine is getting away from a 24 razor rotation to a larger one down the hall.
It's all nilly-willy, yet I know which 2/3 of them shave.
Whittling some down.
Anyhoo, I have always had a linear progression, and hope to come back to that.
For now, it's a free-for-all! Pretty neat!

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Originally Posted by beluga

Interesting, do you sometimes cut yourself when choosing? ;)

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That's why they're not all kamisoris. :)

I used to go from a to z in my rotation but now just take a few out at random and when they are done replace with another random pick.

Attachment 292570

Razors are stored in converted jewelry and cutlery boxes on top of an old high boy chest of drawers. The red holder, top left, is the rotation of eleven currently in use. Sort of like a ready use magazine. Note to self to get a larger box for storage after we move.

Bob

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.

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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.

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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?