Thread: Shaving with the same razor every day

Today I decided that I was getting tired of shaving with different razors everyday.
I only have around 15 razors and have 7 that are keen enough to shave with, the others I need to get to the hone so I was rotating these 7 on the days of the week. Every razor gives a bit of different shave and have to use varying techniques with each as some are different lengths and grinds. My 4/8 wostenholm which up till now was one of my best shavers had to make its way into the stash of shavers that needed some hone work, this left me with 6 keen ones. then another one went, and I realized that they were all going to start failing one after the other pretty much in succession. So now I am starting with my wapi and going to hit it for 7 days then switch to the next so at least I can now get consistent shaves with each shaver and not have them all have to go to the hone at the same time so I can spread out the honeing process instead. Not that I mind honeing at all its just that its been a few months and I suspect my skills might suffer from the time gaps as well.
This I see as giving me two advantages:

* consistent shaves with single shavers
* spread out my honeing so I stay keen (pun intended)

Just thought I would share and see if others out there find this method to be of more value.

Sean

A couple years ago, I could be found shaving with any one of the couple dozen razors I had. Now I switch off between a Dubl Duck Pearl and an Eskilstuna (Engstrom), each for a day or two. It's nice having to hone only a couple razors every few weeks and as you mentioned, know the shaving characteristics of the razors you're using.

Now and then I'll have an urge to prep another razor that I used to use and add it into rotation, but I have to remind myself the added work this would involve. This doesn't mean I plan on selling any of the other razors though. I might end up using them someday. LOL

I used to have 6 or 7 in rotation. I found myself not looking forward to the next in rotation on certain days.

Now I have 4 favorites. A Thiers-Issard "evide sonnant extra" 5/8 roundpoint, a 5/8 Joe Chandler custom with Desert Ironwood scales,a Dovo "Bismarck" and a Mastro Livi "new grind" with Pau Violeto scales. All give great shaves. No sense in shaving with a razor you don't care for.

I don't mind having to hone. I absolutely hate it when I get finished shaving and wishing I had used a different razor.

Honing is like riding a bike. You never forget or lose the skill. I have over 90 razors and have them divided up with about 25 I rotate through during the week and another 40 or so I use on a weekend rotation and the others are kind of in reserve.

Unless you've chipped them, it should only take 5-10 minutes to touch the edge up on each one.

I use a Puma 39 (11/16" half hollow) on a daily basis and I have an Imperial (Eagle) razor(6/8" full hollow) that I use as a backup. The Imperial is stiffer and lighter than the Puma but still a great razor and great value for money.

The Puma will last a good month between light touch ups and I like it because I can shave daily with it with total comfort.

The advantage of using just one razor is you get a consistency of shave and your razor is always in tip top condition being stropped on a daily basis.

I tried a rotation and every day I got a slightly different shave. I didn't enjoy this. For example, I have a Taylors Eye(1000) razor which is superb in every way. However, I find that it gives me too close a shave. By that I mean I don't need to shave the next morning, after using it. I don't find that convenient and so I go with the razor that works best for me. Somebody else will prefer the Taylor's eye or a another make which suits them just fine.

I used to always get a great shave from a 5/8" razor but as I've got older (not wiser), the wider blade seems to suit me better.

I like to shave with a different razor every day. I seldom use the same one twice in a week or two. The photo shows 1/2 of my rotation. Aside from having RAD I wanted to learn how to hone and needed a lot of practice hence the plethora of steel. I take a look at the assortment when it is time to shave and one or another will strike my fancy. This could change and I might find one or two that will be my go to razors but right now I'm having too much fun switching up.

Lovely looking collection Jimmy.

I think you have too many and should send me that tortoise shell handled Puma that's just sitting there rusting away.

I've been at this for 4 mos. now and until recently did not have enough razors to rotate, so I have typically used one razor for a week at a time before switching. I find my razors tend to need a touch-up after 3 to 5 shaves and leave me pretty irritated by the end of a week if they haven't visited the Spyderco.

I've heard the theory that the blades should rest for at least a couple days between shaves to restore the edge. I'm planning on starting to rotate once my 6th razor comes in the mail later this week, so I'll be curious to see if there seems to be any difference in the shaves. Let us know if you notice any difference going the other direction, i.e. from rotating to not.

I'm becoming increasingly convinced that if left too long spinning in the rotation, razors get lazy and don't do their best work for the master shaver. I recently thinned my rotation by six razors (not that one could notice the change) to let the other razors realize that they might be tested and if not up to the mark they may also be un-rotated. I hear a grumbling from the razor shelf. I'm not sure if this bodes well.

Sweeney, Sweeney, Sweeney, from what I can hear, seems to be the buzz from the bathroom. should I worry?