How many straights do you use?

[seattleshaver]

I didn't really want to make this a poll. It's just for some discussion. How many do you use and maybe a little about why you have more than one. If you collect a lot that's not what I'm talking about here.

I have 4. They are 4/8, 4/8, 5/8 and 6/8. I use the later two most frequently. I've made scales for 3 of them and the reason I have more than 2 was primarily to have a few more to have to practice honing and scale making. I also wanted to try out a few different sizes to see which I prefer.

All mine are vintage. All but 1 were $15 or less and one was $25 including honing.

How many do you actively use and what was your logic for having more than one (if that's the case)?

 

[johnmrson]

Not sure of the exact number but it's triple figures. I like variety.

 

[mdunn]

94.

 

[paco664]

i have ~8 left....

all excellent shavers... 2 are inexpensive... then i have a 7/8ths KROPP... a dubl duk 13/16ths goldenedge... a 8/8ths Don Quioxe .. a 8/8ths Fili... a 9/8ths W&B....


i have only kept the rare and exceptional ones....

 

[raccoonandbrush]

I currently have 6 straights, and I actively use all of them. 5/8 Boker King Cutter, 7/8 Henckels Friodur, 7/8 Wade & Butcher, 5/8 Dovo Forestal, 7/8 Thiers-Issard, and a 8/8 Filarmonica.

 

[chrissss]

I have 2 straights that I love, 2 are +8/8 smile, the only blades that give me a perfect smooth shave without any irritations
I don't think I want more blades because each time I shave with one I wish my beard grow faster for me to use the other one ...

 

[JeffM]

I use 8 in my rotation. I started with 2-3 and it just grew. I think I will stop here as my SRAD has died out. It is fun to reach for one in a sleeve and not know which you have selected.

 

[gash]

I love my kamisori so much that it's the only razor I use. It is, by far, my most-expensive razor, and it's a basic model. I also have five Western straights left over from when I switched from DE shaving.

 

[sychodelix]

Only 2 so far, but I intend on getting one for hone fodder next month.

 

[blackman]

I have 6 that I use. 5 Swedes and 1 French. I'm hoping to pick up a nice American BB custom in the next month or so, but we'll see. I know what I like now (grind/size) so I let a lot of nice blades pass me by because they don't meet my preferences. It makes me feel like I have my SRAD somewhat under control.

 

[Wid]

I keep 6 or 7 in rotation.

 

[ladykate]

I have tons (more than 50). Got to collecting them and didn't bother to push out the cheap ones. So... One of these days I might sell/PIF some of the lesser examples... maybe... I have shaved with all of them. Right now I'm shaving mostly with Feather ACs with an occasional dart back to a wedge or the Fili.

 

[Disburden]

I own about 30 but as of late I only use three.

 

[ch2700]

I have 6 and use 6. One for every day. One japanese 13/16 one german 5/8 three shefield and one dubl duk.

 

[rockviper]

one ..... at a time

 

[Antique Hoosier]

Since acquiring a Heljestrand MK 31 from John (Hawkeye5) I have used it primarily because frankly it is just that good. Excellent balance and perfect in my opinion. That leaves about 9 others that get occasional use,..... to include a Hoffritz, a C-MON, a Friodur, a Fisher, 2 Engels, a Boker, a John Primble, and my Great Great Grandfather's Wade & Butcher.

 

[seattleshaver]

I've since the OP acquired another 4/8 for a total of 5 straights and 3 4/8's but I'm keeping 2 of the 4/8's as honing/blade repair practice razors. They shave but are more prone to nicking me and have minor edge pitting issues.

The other 3 are nice however and give me some variety in sizes (4/8,5/8,6/8). I consider that I'm done buying straights (and DE's).

 

[Kentos]

I think I have about 13 honed up, 5 Kamisori and 7 western and 1 Feather AC. All are in rotation, but the Kamisori get picked 99% of the time.

 

[P Funk]

Currently have 7 in rotation with 3 more on the way (blades all 6/8 or larger). I have 4 on the smaller side that I will put up on the B/S/T at some point.
I've only been shaving with straights for about 5-6 months so my RAD is just beginning to bloom.

Good thing you didn't ask about brushes.

 

[Dirk-Lerxst-Pratt]

Right now I use three. My whipped dog smiler, a 5/8, and a 6/8 antique store finds. I have an old Boker tree and a Hoffritz waiting in the wings.