The rotation

[dog face]

I've seen the term rotation used around here in regards to soaps, blades and razors. I admit, though I am new to the wet shaving world and I have already contracted RAD. After a couple of months with my original razor I just made a purchase and have new kit coming in the mail. I understand a soap rotation, but do not yet understand a razor rotation.

My question is: if you go from a straight bar to a slant bar and you love love love the slant over the straight, why would you have a rotation? Would some of you gents that have a rotation of razors give me some insight or maybe an example of your rotation so I know what I've gotten myself into?

Thanks!

 

[u2u]

I use the term rotation in a very general way. Over a long period I use all I have. Some members are very structured, I am not. I have a building collection of brushes, razors, creams, soap, etc. All are users and I enjoy the variety. Most items were selected to add variety in that a slightly different skill set is required to use each. Today I might grab a 15/16th, my largest blade. Tomorrow it might be a shavette. If in a rush I might go to a DE. Ditto on brushes, a Wee Scot through to a Chubby 3. If I use the same brush/razor combination two days running the cream will change to a soap and so on. Having a selection of goods and some form of rotation is a way of taking a chore, shaving, and making it pleasurable and something to look forward to. Admitting to RAD, new kit in the mail, and you are onto the slippery slope... Enjoy the ride.

 

[NingYupOwaDat]

My question is: if you go from a straight bar to a slant bar and you love love love the slant over the straight, why would you have a rotation? Would some of you gents that have a rotation of razors give me some insight or maybe an example of your rotation so I know what I've gotten myself into?

Thanks!

Well if you suddenly find that if you love one razor in particular more than any other and want to only use that one then nobody is forcing you to do a rotation. Just use whatever one you want to use. A rotation is good if you have several that you like equally.

 

[dog face]

I see. That makes since. I currently use a Merkur 23c but I've got a 37c in the mail.... and some soaps and another brush. That makes since- changing shaving from a "chore."

 

[mistercitizen]

It just means you use a variety of whatever..... soaps, creams, razors, brushes. Some guys like variety.

Ben

 

[cpacamper]

I like to "set it and forget it" so I developed a spreadsheet with columns listing soaps, razors, and afrershave combinations to use each week. On Monday, I refer to the spreadsheet and Im set with my combo of the week.

 

[blindmouse]

I have a collection of gear that I use at any given time. My razor stays constant for the most part, but as far as brush, cream, soap and AS, I just sort of use my gut. Today it said proraso because it's hot and humid.

So for me rotation really sort of means collection.

 

[dpmtherrien]

As you can see its all up to you how and when you want to use your own rotation. There's no right or wrong way to do it. I have several different razors, as well as a variety of soaps, blades, etc. I just pick whatever calls out to me before I do my shave. Really, since its your own, its impossible to do a rotation wrong.

 

[tyrionstark]

Probably covered very well so far, but my ha'ppenny.

After the first month or so (okay...a little less) started branching out to DE's I had gotten at tag sales, bst, etc....and used each for about a week before switching to something else. So my rotation was really a parsing method to find out what I liked. Then my aristocrat pushed most of my razors into the far, dark corner of my den. (About 10% of the time I go back to my ej89 or my slim adjustable.) Of course, just found an NOS Gillette New for a song at a local antique dealer, and after my shave today...the rotation is now two razors large.

Soaps, creams and as are a different story. I don't map anything out....but look at the weather and a bit about how I feel that morning to let it guide my choices. I have a rotation of 3 creams, 3 soaps, 4 brushes and 7 aftershaves. Today was a DR Harris Arlington Day....hot. At this point my true rotation includes everything but razors.....of course July 15th is on my calendar as my first straight shave....so here comes a whole new razor rotation.

 

[Sabre]

At the beginning of the last century there were seven day straight razor sets, now that's a rotation. Today, I think I have a rotation purely for variety and if I didn't I would never get to try the vast number of products that are out there whether great, indifferent or mediocre.....