Summer's here, and with some extra time on my hands, I've decided to undertake a little construction project. I'd love to hear your advice about design and materials.
I have a modest collection (around 25) straight razors, and although some are great "collectibles," I actually shave with all of them, and my concept of a "rotation" is just to grab whichever fella catches my eye on any given morning. Although many of them still have their original coffins, I find it too cluttering to store them in their coffins, all piled up, and unbox them whenever I shave.
I'd like to build something that a) displays the collection, b) is extremely easy to access -- to reach in and grab what I need, and put it away when I'm done, and c) is extraordinarily carbon-steel-friendly to keep the collection in tip-top shape. (Less important, but worth considering, is a solution that has the possibility to expand, in case the collection ends up increasing over time, which is certainly more than likely.)
A traditional barber's box seems like a not great choice - you can't see much when you open the box but the tail, so it's hard to identify, and it certainly doesn't show off the collection. Then again, if the box were made out of Lucite...
A large framed display with a glass front could work -- with razors positioned on pins. What do you think about storing razors in the open position? I always oil my razors after every shave, so the backing would have to be something that could handle getting oil all over it. But a choice like wood could be dangerous to the edges, if the razors moved around on the pins.
I'm also planning on adding a dessicant to the interior of whatever I build. A reservoir for silica gel seems an obvious choice. Some years back, I lived in Brazil for many years, and I'd keep my cigars in a humidor that I'd outfitted with pure propylene glycol -- this worked great to absorb humidity in that clime. Any thoughts of silica gel vs. propylene glycol vs any other dessicants?
I'm assuming many of you have undertaken similar projects, or have store-bought solutions, or are even in the business of making such racks, cases and boxes. So I'd love to hear thoughts -- see pictures -- all that jazz.
Of course I'll post a pic when I'm done, but right now I'm just gathering intel.
Thanks!
- M.
I have a modest collection (around 25) straight razors, and although some are great "collectibles," I actually shave with all of them, and my concept of a "rotation" is just to grab whichever fella catches my eye on any given morning. Although many of them still have their original coffins, I find it too cluttering to store them in their coffins, all piled up, and unbox them whenever I shave.
I'd like to build something that a) displays the collection, b) is extremely easy to access -- to reach in and grab what I need, and put it away when I'm done, and c) is extraordinarily carbon-steel-friendly to keep the collection in tip-top shape. (Less important, but worth considering, is a solution that has the possibility to expand, in case the collection ends up increasing over time, which is certainly more than likely.)
A traditional barber's box seems like a not great choice - you can't see much when you open the box but the tail, so it's hard to identify, and it certainly doesn't show off the collection. Then again, if the box were made out of Lucite...
A large framed display with a glass front could work -- with razors positioned on pins. What do you think about storing razors in the open position? I always oil my razors after every shave, so the backing would have to be something that could handle getting oil all over it. But a choice like wood could be dangerous to the edges, if the razors moved around on the pins.
I'm also planning on adding a dessicant to the interior of whatever I build. A reservoir for silica gel seems an obvious choice. Some years back, I lived in Brazil for many years, and I'd keep my cigars in a humidor that I'd outfitted with pure propylene glycol -- this worked great to absorb humidity in that clime. Any thoughts of silica gel vs. propylene glycol vs any other dessicants?
I'm assuming many of you have undertaken similar projects, or have store-bought solutions, or are even in the business of making such racks, cases and boxes. So I'd love to hear thoughts -- see pictures -- all that jazz.
Of course I'll post a pic when I'm done, but right now I'm just gathering intel.
Thanks!
- M.
