How many razors and brushes do you have and why?

[JKaboom]

I’ve got 7 brushes and 7 razors. I have that many because I was initially seeking the perfect shave. I now know there’s really no such thing. I like the variety and not sure I’d own more than 7 at any time. I plan to swap out if I’d like more.

How about you?

Here’s my 7 of each

 

[Lockback]

I currently have 15 razors and 4 brushes.
I definitely don't need any more razors. But I'd sort of like maybe one more brush ...

 

[Leverspro]

Lots of each. Why? Curiosity and diversity.

 

[Phoenixkh]

I have more razors than soaps. And ummmmmm more brushes than soaps too. <eg>

 

[Wombat ESQ]

10 or 12 brushes, never really counted them?

razors? I lost count after 147?

WHY?? Because I dont shave and I aim to collect one of everything.... eventually.

 

[ColtRevolver]

30-40 razors. I used to scour yard sales and flea markets for them. I rarely bring one home anymore. I have used the same model over 5 years now.

I only have two brushes. A cheap badger and a cheap boar. I've had each about 10 years. They work. No need to look for any more.

 

[musicman1951]

I only use one razor at a time - for months on end. I started with a fairly cheap razor and it did a fine job. Then I wanted a vintage, so I added a Slim. After a while I read too many great reviews here and climbed the upgrade ladder. Each razor was better than the last, so I was pretty satisfied with my lot in life. I think I only own about 9, but if I'm home I use the Wolfman, and if I'm traveling it's the ATT.

Brushes are another story. I think I have 9 synthetic brushes. The first one was a beast with a huge clear plastic handle and the tallest knot I've seen. I can throw lather from my house to yours with this thing. I knew they would get better, so my search for a great synthetic continued. A tiny Kent and a small handful of sub $15 brushes came next. They were great brushes for the price, but they most definitely were not great brushes. Then came the EVO, which was a very nice brush, but too much backbone for my liking. So, of course, I got an STF - a very nice brush with just a little less backbone than I like. Then came the Wald, which is a great synthetic brush and in my top 6.

I essentially did the same thing with boar and badger brushes: the existential search for the brush with the near-perfect size, backbone and softness of tips. I have about 20 brushes but use only 6 - most days one of 5.

Do I recommend this procedure for finding brush happiness? Only if you really want near-perfect choices. What I would recommend is trying to find happiness with whatever brush you already have. I don't practice what I preach, but I still think it's a worthy goal.

 

[BobbyB]

Razors:
1. King C Gillette -- shaving
2. Van der Hagen -- post shave buffing.

Brushes two Noble Otters:
1. Prep lathering
2. Shave lathering.

 

[titans1127]

1 razor - Yates 'Merica) and
2 brushes - Perfecto badger and a Yaqi synthetic.

Took a while but I found the razor that consistently works best for my face so I see no need to own anything else at this time. Same with the brushes, I started with the badger and then wanted to try a synthetic and both of them get the job done without breaking the bank. Since I generally use a brush and soap on the weekends (Barbasol during the work week), it wouldn't make sense to have a collection of items that will just sit in a drawer and get used maybe once a year.

 

[BigJ]

Great question!

I am finally down to two razors, my WR1 that I use daily and my Lord L6 ’travel’ razor.

Now for brushes, I found that I am (mostly) a ‘badger boy.’ So down to 14 or 15 with most in an informal rotation.

 

[DEgeezer]

4 razors:
1959 Fatboy
1917 Gillette old type
4 pc. Parker- travel razor
Rex Envoy- daily driver

8 brushes:
2 Badgers
2 Boars
3 Synthetics
1 Horse hair

 

[Hair Scraper]

Here’s what I’ve picked up in nearly two years of patrolling antique shops and malls, and flea markets. This includes gifts from friends. There are even a few that aren’t pictured. Some are bent, what I’d call unusable and in need of a rebuild. I guess they’re on “active reserve.”

Lately I’ve concentrated on trying out the three piece NEW’s and Tech’s, and I’m liking them a lot. I only have to shave every three to four days, so it's going to take a while.

I’m not currently in the market for any more, but if I cross paths with another stray Fatboy I might take it in, too.




take

 

[Guido75]

How about you?

Since I came across @Balin my brushes behave like mushrooms…

I am scared to open the cabinet each morning wondering what happened overnight…

 

[Balin]

Since I came across @Balin my brushes behave like mushrooms…

I am scared to open the cabinet each morning wondering what happened overnight…

I have been avoiding these threads as I do not want to disclose my numbers . I have more brushes and razors than most but less than some .

Brushes
Badgers - 31
Boars - 6
Mixed Badger and Boar - 2
Horse - 1
Synthetics - 1

Razors
DE - 39
SE - 4

Edited to add, I have 23 brushes and 4 razors in active rotation.

 

[rsp1202]

I currently have 1 DE, 1 SE, 3 carts, and 4 brushes. But I never kept a running count of the ones I've been through since day one. None of them were held onto since one would always finance another, and I never thought to take photos or catalog them. Best guess is around 30 brushes and an equivalent number of razors. Around here that may be average?

But I have kept a count of my stereo gear over the years (go figure), and it puts the shaving kit to shame.

 

[Guido75]

I have been avoiding these threads as I do not want to disclose my numbers . I have more brushes and razors than most but less than some .

Brushes
Badgers - 31
Boars - 6
Mixed Badger and Boar - 2
Horse - 1
Synthetics - 1

Razors
DE - 39
SE - 4

Edited to add, I have 23 brushes and 4 razors in active rotation.

 

[Guido75]

Razors
DE - 39
SE - 4

Edited to add, I have 23 brushes and 4 razors in active rotation.

Respect for your ability to deal with RRA (Razor Rotation Anxiety) in this way! 39 in total yet you use 4. I would go nuts over these numbers. Truly respect. I am much less determined.

 

[Balin]

Respect for your ability to deal with RRA (Razor Rotation Anxiety) in this way! 39 in total yet you use 4. I would go nuts over these numbers. Truly respect. I am much less determined.

I pretty much only use my 3 of my modern razors and I throw a Tech in every now and then. Most of my vintage razors were inexpensive so I do not feel much anxiety to have them stored away in a drawer. I do get some brush rotation anxiety though .

 

[SmokedStanley]

I have what I have because I like collecting different items, using them and the variety. Just did a quick count and got to 35 brushes, more soap than brushes, around a dozen straights, at least 55 DE and a dozen SE. Most of what I have is Vintage with a few new/newer items mixed in. I am currently working my way through all of my razors, a blade at a time. May downsize someday, but no rush.

 

[Russ622]

Right now I have 12 razors and 4 brushes. I’m still new to the hobby so I have bought a few to see what I like. 4 of them I just came on the mail but I won’t see them until Sunday, I’m on a mini vacation with my wife and my youngest son.

The other reason is 3 of them are my birth year 1972 Gillettes. 4 are Gillette adjustable, 58 fatboy, 63 Slim Aristocrat, 62 Slim and one of the 72’s is a super 84. The reason the 58, 63 and 62… I wanted them! The others are a Parker 111W because I like the white handle, a 54 flare, a Henson ++ blue because I liked the blue, and a 49 and 61 super speed because they came with the 62 slim and I have my first from the Viking revolution kit that was gifted to me at Christmas.

Brushes I have 4. The Vikings revolution that came with my kit that broke 2 weeks after I had it when I dropped it, so I replaced it with a Vikings revolution, I did not like the way it lathered, yes i know I’m new and what do I know… not much for sure, but I know it hurt when i used it. I then bought a Razor Emporium synthetic and I really like that one, but I also just bought a Simpson T1 because I really liked the small foot print.

But I plan on buying more, but not right now.