How did you begin to collect razors?

[engblom]

After I have been spending some time on this forum, I have noticed a lot of people are collecting razors and equipment. I never knew anyone would do that and it surprised me a lot.

I am curious what got you into collecting them? Was it because you were never fully satisfied with the shave your razor gave you and you wanted to hunt for a better one until it became a hobby?

 

[alex2363]

After I have been spending some time on this forum, I have noticed a lot of people are collecting razors and equipment. I never knew anyone would do that and it surprised me a lot.

I am curious what got you into collecting them? Was it because you were never fully satisfied with the shave your razor gave you and you wanted to hunt for a better one until it became a hobby?

Why would you collect anything? Such as stamps,cars, coins, artwork, etc.

 

[cernel_joson]

Two questions lead to the collecting of razors: Are there better looking razors than my current razor, and do these other razors shave better than my current razor?

 

[KQY61]

Hi,

I had some already. Hand me downs. Grandfathers (straight and Old Type), Dad (Early and Late Techs), Uncles (Standard Super Speeds and a Red Tip), even Mom (a Blue Tip). That formed a decent set. I'd used the Old Type after skipping a day or two. The Red Tip for first pass every day. A Super Speed or a Tech for second pass. Even the Blue Tip for third pass once in a while.

Then, I needed to work away from home for awhile. This meant an apartment. I wanted some other razors for the apartment, so I'd have my usual at home when I flew back. That lead me to eBay, and lots of things I had never seen. That led me....Here!

So, now I know about more than I did. So, I picked up some other things and tried them. Now that I am back home, I think I will cull the collection down because I now have razors that I figure I won't be using any longer. I just do not really have the razor collecting bug.

Stan

 

[Darkbulb]

I currently don't 'collect' razors. I have one - my EJ DE89L.
Having said that - I can see myself owning three-four in total;
- my EJ DE89L which will always have a special place in my heart,
- a birthyear/quarter Gillette Slim (sentimental reasons),
- a SE razor as I'd like to try one, and
- a better handle for my EJ DE89L.

After that I think I'd be "done" and wouldn't really see the need for anything else.
Please Lord, let that be true.

 

[DrAwkward]

Why would you collect anything? Such as stamps,cars, coins, artwork, etc.

I already collect archaic and ancient coins, old paper money, and antique swords. Collecting razors is much cheaper than any of those other things.

 

[engblom]

I am not a much of a collector either. That is why I am going to sell my R41 once I have been receiving my new razors. But I can clearly see the slippery sloop from not being satisfied with one, you get to another not caring to sell the old until you have a small collection. Then it is already a hobby to find a better one.

 

[Mark1966]

Well I famously mused on another site that I could not see the point of more than one razor. Look how that turned out for me here.

I discovered that I could get a razor from my birth year - I thought that was pretty cool and got an L 1 SuperSpeed. You know, there are other razors built that year - should try those as well.

Then curiousity got to me and the enablers here had threads about rhodium plated razors, British Aristocrats etc etc.

Then I discovered Achim's site here - the bar was set. I had to have what he had!

The rest, as they say, is history...

 

[Ace McCool]

I always liked the idea of having a collection of something old, but could never find something I was really interested in. I was introduced to DE shaving from a friend, and started seeing all the cool Gillette sets and was instantly hooked - I had found what I would start collecting.

Being in the military and having to shave everyday, I consider shaving more of a PITA than anything, unlike most here who you will find love the act itself. I use the same Merkur Slant every day.

 

[elmerwood]

Then curiousity got to me and the enablers here had threads about rhodium plated razors, British Aristocrats etc etc.

Then I discovered Achim's site here - the bar was set. I had to have what he had!

The rest, as they say, is history...

Thats exactly it for me as well. I found this site and Achim's at the same time and it was on. I had some help from others on here like Mark,Porter,Jake,Tom,Achim and others that would share something I hadn't seen before and thought "I need one of those too".

 

[ironfist]

I just simply wanted more!

After i picked up my first vintage, i decided on some of the cooler models eg OC Aristocrat TTO, barber pole style knurling etc.

I pretty much have every razor i could want apart from one or two.....or three haha!

 

[Shutterbug57]

I determined that for the first year I would try several different razors to find my best shave package. I have purchased several razors, sold some and kept a few. When all is said and done, I expect to have 6-10 razors that I use and 0 razors that I don't use. Those that make the cut will give a comfortable BBS every time.

Razors I have that are here for the duration are:
Senator
Sheraton
Merkur 38HD C (well at least til it wears out)
Red Tip SS

Razors currently under evaluation are:
Ever-Ready 1912
Fat Handled Tech (Pre War)
NEW Short Comb
Old Type

Razors on my get it list:
TTO OC Aristocrat
Ever-Ready Streamline

 

[CaderTheAlligator]

I also think collecting anything often has to do with investments. Look at anything that most people collect and their value generally climbs after you purchase them. For me it is the above as well as I feel an obligation to keep wet shaving alive and by collecting them I have enough that I can give away for people to experiment with. I figure that the more people I can convert to DE shaving the more people I can swap ideas and hardware or software with.

 

[Rockytop]

I bought my first DE on Ebay. A real beater of a super speed. I then got hooked on this site, and bought a couple more from the "bay.

Then with my job, I was able to travel some all over East Tennessee. I begin to find several in the wild (back when you still could find them). I sold a few, traded a few, and my collection began.

I am still on the look, but my want list is specific and short.

 

[TacticalPanda]

I bought an Edwin Jagger DE89 and that was all I used for a year. I used that and Proraso green in the tub. I honestly didn't spend money for a long time, just enjoyed great shaves. Then, this summer I started going to antique stores and found a Fatboy, then a Slim, then a New Improved, and so on and so on. I wanted all the models, then I found SE razors which made things worse. Fortunately, I'm starting to sell razors I never use and I'm trimming the collection back a bit. I still love soaps though.

 

[Mark1966]

Thats exactly it for me as well. I found this site and Achim's at the same time and it was on. I had some help from others on here like Mark,Porter,Jake,Tom,Achim and others that would share something I hadn't seen before and thought "I need one of those too".

That is is - "I need one of those too"

 

[Dave_D]

The experience of trying pounds of items was to see what worked best, also a hobby to some extent. I finally cleaned out what wasn't being used but keep a few backups.

 

[Copierguy]

I accidentally swerved into wet shaving and found B&B shortly there after. The Gillette razors of the 40s and 50s speak of a world I was born into and remember fondly. The comradery along with a certain level of enabling here from around the world prepared the slippery slope heading towards "picking up a few nice ones". Thank you members of B&B for making it such an enjoyable obsession.

 

[thekinge]

Well I famously mused on another site that I could not see the point of more than one razor. Look how that turned out for me here.

I discovered that I could get a razor from my birth year - I thought that was pretty cool and got an L 1 SuperSpeed. You know, there are other razors built that year - should try those as well.

Then curiousity got to me and the enablers here had threads about rhodium plated razors, British Aristocrats etc etc.

Then I discovered Achim's site here - the bar was set. I had to have what he had!

The rest, as they say, is history...

Thats exactly it for me as well. I found this site and Achim's at the same time and it was on. I had some help from others on here like Mark,Porter,Jake,Tom,Achim and others that would share something I hadn't seen before and thought "I need one of those too".

I accidentally served into wet shaving and found B&B shortly there after. The Gillette razors of the 40s and 50s speak of a world I was born into and remember fondly. The comradery along with a certain level of enabling here from around the world prepared the slippery slope heading towards "picking up a few nice ones". Thank you members of B&B for making it such an enjoyable obsession.

These three posts pretty much sums up my collecting journey. All those nice sets from Achim, Jake & Mark set me on my collecting course. All I wanted was "One of those nice sets these gents have"! One year later, I have a pretty good collection for a beginner. One that I hope to share in its entirety with my B&B brethren in the near future!

 

[72plymsatellite]

These three posts pretty much sums up my collecting journey. All those nice sets from Achim, Jake & Mark set me on my collecting course. All I wanted was "One of those nice sets these gents have"! One year later, I have a pretty good collection for a beginner. One that I hope to share in its entirety with my B&B brethren in the near future!

+1 after seeing so many different razors i could possibly have, i had to have more. what keeps me going, is getting those awesome sets i see others have but its more trying to find the things that you hardly see and even some of the other collectors dont have. it makes me feel good to have someone drool over the things i have just like i do when i look at other peoples collections.