Thread: Do we really need more than one razor?

all kidding aside, and disregarding the fun of collecting, is it possible to use just one razor, and use it every day?

Can one razor be used say six or seven days a week? Obviously it would need to hit the hones a lot more often, but is it possible.

Is 'blade resting' a myth?

Barry

Of course you could get by with one. In the day many folks only had 1 razor. Personally I think you should have 2-3 so if one quits on you or gets damaged you have a back-up.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Of course you could get by with one. In the day many folks only had 1 razor. Personally I think you should have 2-3 so if one quits on you or gets damaged you have a back-up.

Well I have +50 but two or three would do.

Razors are like cars. If you work on
your own you need a second to go and get
parts with. The second need not be a fancy one
but should get you to your day job and
let you get parts.

Since barbers that know how to hone razors
are so rare we no longer have the luxury of
bringing our razor in for a tune up when we
get a haircut once or twice a year.

Blade resting was and is not a myth...
but recall that many times it was a barber
that way this. After shaving twenty faces
and numerous visits to the strop the blade
would be moved to the back of the line
to rest.

For an individual I think it is a myth in my experience.

I would note that some tools and even boots do
better when used in rotation. The wear is even and
the care and attention consistent and near equal.

We can do it whit one razor. but wy??
buy more and you have more fun.

I'd say No, you don't need more than one razor. BUT, you absolutely must have no less than one razor. So if you do like a lot of guys and nick it on the faucet, drop it in the sink, or get distracted stropping and roll the edge, then you find yourself MINUS one razor.

Pre-King Gillette a razor was often more expensive than they are today given some of the wages that were paid, but wages fluctuate. I don't think it was common for a man to buy more than one razor, but it probably wasn't uncommon for a man to have more than one razor, as grandfather's passing would mean his tools would be passed down. But you have to remember too that facial hair was common and acceptable, particularly among working men, right on up until the safety razor era. As a result it was less of a necessity for the average working Joe to have a razor.

Peace,
Jim

Personally, I need to have at least 2 razors of every enviable razor maker dating before 1891 or else I can't shave

I am guessing my great grandfather did it as he only had a single razor in his possession when he died. I suppose when one wore out, he acquired a new one.

Shon

Easy Answer: No, you only NEED one. But we WANT more.

Allow me to be the first to scream "Shennanigans!" and move to strike this thread in its entirity Seriously though, I suspect that's how most working class men did it for many years. Truth be told a hundred years or so ago, owning even two or three razors was probably a privelege reserved for men of serious means. Working men often times used the razor that was passed down to them by their father and in turn passed it on to their son (when he was old enough to shave.) I can't imagine a rotation of just one razor would, functionally, be a problem. Again though, like most ADs the question is: Are you in it just to shave or is it a hobby? From a purely functional standpoint none of us needs more than one razor, one hone, one strop, one brush, one soap or cream, one aftershave and one cologne (optional) but then again, how much fun would that be?

Yes you can have a single razor and do just fine. I can remember watching my Grandfather, in the early 1950's, shave with his only razor everyday. As far as I know it was his only straight razor. I also remember that on Saturdays he would go to his barber shop in Kansas City, Mo., for a haircut and a shave. Sundays was suit and tie day for church and family Sunday dinner. Sometimes he would take his razor and I think the barber touched up his blade. My Grandfather operated a Texaco station and exchanged services on the barbers car for his haircuts and shaves.
Sorry for the thread jack!