Thread: Intelligent Razor Rotation

Originally Posted by cflaageriv

I just wish I knew what it is about some razors shaving so smoothly, while others just will not - though, they're equally sharp. One of the great mysteries of life I suppose.

I am using 12 razors in rotation and each one has a unique feel to it. My take is that they all vary on blade and tang thickness, weight, grind, and steel. Moreover, the scales also contribute to the uniqueness of the feel of the razors. I am currently working on a Wade and Butcher restoration, and I have not been able to quite pin down its approximate age. In time, once the restoration and honing are complete, I'll learn a lot from how the razor shaves.

Other folks in this forum may disagree with me (that's cool, it's okay to disagree), but I feel each razor has its own personality/feel to it.

There are many factors that makes this sport/hobby/passion interesting and give us interesting shave results.

Patrick

Gentlemen,
I have tried various methods of rotation. Now I go with the razor that smiles at me that morning. The exception is my majestic Robert Williams, which smiles at me all the time, but I save it for a Saturday or a Sunday.

Originally Posted by Obie

Gentlemen,
I have tried various methods of rotation. Now I go with the razor that smiles at me that morning. The exception is my majestic Robert Williams, which smiles at me all the time, but I save it for a Saturday or a Sunday.

I do that sometimes too. I think when I am looking over the lineup to choose a razor at random, they all cower and shake with fear thinking, "Don't pick me, please don't pick me!"

For a long time I obsessed over rotation strategies and the like but in the end I just decided to get up in the morning and, in the words of the immortal Bruce Lee, "FEEL" the shave. What ever sings to me on any given day is what gets the call. This way, I never shave with something just because it's up in the rotation. And if a certain razor is in especially fine forum, I'm not breaking the rotation if I shave with it a couple days in a row.

Originally Posted by 1OldGI

For a long time I obsessed over rotation strategies and the like but in the end I just decided to get up in the morning and, in the words of the immortal Bruce Lee, "FEEL" the shave. What ever sings to me on any given day is what gets the call. This way, I never shave with something just because it's up in the rotation. And if a certain razor is in especially fine forum, I'm not breaking the rotation if I shave with it a couple days in a row.

Good point 1OldGI, I try not to be rigid or obsessed over a rotation. I try to look at a razor rotation as a way to have something different each day. All 12 of my razors are favorites because a few were passed on to me by a good friend and some I picked up and restored, and three my wife bought for me. How could I ever play favorites? All twelve are my favorites!!!

Another funny thing, my most consistent razor happens to be one of the ones I bought at an antique store in a cigar box with about eight or nine other razors and a bunch of other stuff. At the end of the day, it probably cost me about $3. It is one of the old Lion Brand by Yankee Cutlery w/ bone scales. I put it up for sale a while ago - before shaving with it - it didn't sell, and I decided to keep it. It honed up nicely, keeps a nice edge, fits my face perfectly and I've never had any irritation with it whatsoever.

I am not Obsessed ( and neither am I!) But seriously, the only reason I made a rotation was so that Everyone would get as turn...but as 1OldGI said don't be too rigid, if I'm not "feeling it" that day, for that razor, it gets skipped. Part of the other reason for a rotation is that I think it helps your technique to use different razors. I did have a rotation where I used each razor for 3-4 days at a time too though...

I guess my rotation has been stuck on one razor for a year or so. Maybe it is time to move on to the next razor. But this one is so comfortable.

I have a spreadsheet that lists the razor I'll use each day for the next 3 months. Suddenly that seems obsessive.

Originally Posted by Jacketch

I have a spreadsheet that lists the razor I'll use each day for the next 3 months. Suddenly that seems obsessive.

Nah, if that's what you like to do, go for it. I need to create one to keep track of when a razor was last honed and other information to use when I have to touch it up.