I think two straights is quite justifiable, you might use up an edge and need to shave before you have time to hone. And two identical ones is a good way to compare hones--same razor, different edge. I have a pair I use like that.
More? Well, you'll find there is quite a big difference in how a wedge shaves from how a hollow shaves. And there are many grinds in between. Plus there are framebacks! Some framebacks are thin like a hollow but don't quite have the same flex, others shave pretty much like a wedge. Not to mention interestingly shaped tapered blades, lancets, monkey tails...
And maybe you have a 6/8 and wonder how an 4/8 or 8/8+ width would be? They're certainly going to be different and it's very subjective which is better! But then maybe you like a wide hollow and a narrow wedge? The reverse? Only one way to tell...
Perhaps you wonder how American, English, French, Swedish, German and Japanese razors differ? I sure did...
Maybe you were curious what they were like in the 1920s vs. the 1960s. Or the 1800s. Or the 1700s.
Or you'd like scales made from bone or ivory or tortoise or mother-of-pearl? Or something cool etched on the blade? Or a modern custom from Koraat or HG or Artrazor or Gipson or Ali's Blade or any of hundreds of worthy artisans keeping this craft going?
I've always been a minimalist. I've never felt the appeal of collecting anything. It started out as trying to find which one works best for me so I could get a really good one of those, but I kinda liked them all. I ...think I collect straight razors now? It just sorta happened 🤷♂️
I agree. I have a pretty good collection of DE and SE razors. I find time each week to use that part of my collection.
Generally speaking all you need to do is clean and dry the razor well and keep it in a dry place. Right after shaving my solution to this is to use a microfiber towel to dry the razor everywhere, blade and scales, then I strop the blade on linen, followed by leather. Stropping on linen assures that the edge is dry, and the leather passes make the razor ready to just pick up and shave. I also don't store razors, or blades, in the bathroom where it is more humid than anywhere else in the house.
SR shaving is, for me, a more involving experience than with my other razors. But I think you have to be in the right mindset to do it. I started down the rabbit hole, for real, with straights last July. I've used them twice before, though. My first attempt was more about curiosity, "I wonder if I can shave with a straight razor". My second attempt was a bit more than 10 years ago and was more serious, but was more related to expanding my knife sharpening service than enjoyment of shaving.
If your Parker is made in Japan, it should be a terrific performer. If you already have experience using shavettes, I would suggest that the easy method to move into straights is to have your SRs sharpened by and experienced sharpener. This removes edge quality as a variable and allows you to focus on adapting to SRs and their care (stropping, etc.).
I like to tinker and have done some knife blade restoration. Frankly, I did not find it to be much fun; mostly just hours of work. I let other people restore razors. I just buy and use them :)
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