Are we doing ourselves a disservice?

Very valid thoughts here. I'm almost always changing up my razors, though. I seldom use the same razor two days in a row. In that way, I always have to be on top of my game or I'll get sub-par shaves. However, my den is "small" enough (about a dozen razors) that I don't get too lost on technique. I love the variety it brings to a previously mundane ritual. That being said, I do have a few in my rotation that I KNOW I will always get a solid, easy shave with.
I know many who have decided to sell off all but their top razors (whether it be ATT, Wolfman, or whatever) and stick with that. I don't know if I could just because I enjoy the variety.


- The Clean Shaver

Yohann, there is not a bad answer here to your thoughtful query. Isn't this exactly why DFS exists?

Having many razors is certainly great to some extent - mostly because it alleviates the routine of shaving (something most of us have to do every day). I'm not claiming that this variety is a bad thing. I certainly look forward to shaving more now that I have many items in my den to choose from.

Perhaps my den is just too large, and my rotation is too big - leading to me sometimes 'forgetting' how to get the best out my razors. The shaves are still very good, but I know that if I shave consistently with them, the shaves will be even better.

There are some razors that I seem to adjust to instinctively. These are the razors I use the most, of course. Razors that I use more rarely usually take a few shaves to adjust to.

I doubt I could become a 'one razor' guy; I like having variety. Still, there's always a niggling suspicion that I'm not getting quite the best shave out of the razor I'm using because I don't use it enough.

It's a balancing act, I guess.

I realized when I first started traditional shaving that I had no desire to rotate through razors. I wanted to buy a razor and master it, then when I felt like graduating I moved to the Above the Tie Atlas S1 that I now use. I doubt I will ever buy another razor unless it is intended for travel only. Since buying this razor I have mastered the razor, what blade works best and I shave using a 2 pass shave. It is very efficient and my 2nd pass is ATG so I end up with an irritation free BBS shave everyday. I have always thought the same thing, if I only used the same razor once a month I would never get used to it and never use it to it's full potential but everyone's preference is different. I do agree with you though.

I love the variety a large rotation offers, but if the purpose of this hobby is to get a great shave every time, then is this the right approach?

You ask a very good question. When we repeat movements on a regular basis, dedicated neural pathways form in our brains to automate those actions. We then perform those tasks without consciously thinking about them. This is sometimes called "muscle memory". That is why we become more proficient over the course of a few months when learning traditional wetshaving with a new razor type. Can this be impeded by using multiple razors? If so, then how many is too many?

I only use one safety razor daily, but have a second vintage razor that I use occasionally. Sometimes I will use the backup razor for a month or two before switching back. Never any problems adjusting, even though they shave quite differently. If the purpose of this hobby is to get a great shave every time, then I would say less is more.

I love the variety a large rotation offers, but if the purpose of this hobby is to get a great shave every time, then is this the right approach?

You ask a very good question. If the purpose of this hobby is to get a great shave every time, then I would say less is more.

If, then, the only purpose is a great shave and less is more, is it a hobby? I think not and if it is not then DFS and sites like it would be hugely diminished, in my opinion.

I already get pretty darn good shaves each morning but wet shaving has become so much more, not least the social aspect that I enjoy here at DFS. I think the very fact that Yohann put his question before us and the very intetesting knowledge you added to it shows that.

This has proven to be a most interesting thread and I have enjoyed reading the original question and all of the follow-up posts.

I feel the same way and that is why I only have and use two DE razors and do not rotate them very often. I also only use Kai blades.

Being a "newbie" somewhat I got my first DE razor after doing lots of research when I shaved with it for the first time I would say it was the best shave I ever had. No cuts, burns etc. Changed to a different blade and it got better, I was able to repeat this with no problem quite possibly I was very lucky!?!?!?? Going forward I acquired 3 razors I really wanted, these are a little more challenging so I have to work a little harder. My fear is if I keep getting stuff my variables increase so, I want to get good at what I have. One of the things against me is I only have to shave every 3 days or more as I can't grow a beard to save my life!

Is it a hobby, I don't know?, all I know is I enjoy shaving now and look forward to it. I now make time to be able to enjoy the process.

When researching this before I jumped in I found all these people with many kinds of razors, blades, soaps, brushes, techniques, pre shave and post shave stuff and I thought how did they get so good at it with all these variables and how does it work out to be a cheaper way to shave???

I'm very proud of the gear I have and I guess that is why I have it out in the open and look forward to becoming proficient with it. I doubt that i will buy more stuff until then.

Not sure if this is a relative to the original post just my observations as a "newbie"

Derek

Derek, yours is another view on an interesting subject. There is just no wrong answer to this, as far as I can tell.

If, then, the only purpose is a great shave and less is more, is it a hobby? I think not and if it is not then DFS and sites like it would be hugely diminished, in my opinion.

From the Merriam-Webster online dictionary:

hobby

noun

plural hobbies

Definition of HOBBY

:  a pursuit outside one's regular occupation engaged in especially for relaxation

So there is the definition of the word.  Does it apply to the pursuit of a great shave?  I would say yes if one finds this interest relaxing and engaging.  It is not necessary to have a large rotation of gear, or any rotation at all, to try to analyze the subject, put some thought into it, and determine what combination of things works best.  If a person reaches the point where they will only use a fixed set of gear and methods going forward, I think it then ceases to be a hobby and evolves into simply a pleasurable, relaxing routine.

For me, shaving was never a hobby, but an annoying task that was turned into a relaxing pleasure. It does not have to be a hobby in order for one to learn new things that make it even better. Trying five soaps serially instead of in a rotation yields the same results.