If you don't like citrus, then you might want to be thinking the whole time - urinal cake, urinal cake, urinal cake.
2021ers?
- Thread starter T Bone
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- #242
I don’t dislike citrus, I just find it, for the most part, meh. But better than urinal cake! 
Do you guys feel like you are settling in on your favourite gear? I went a bit nuts in my first 6 months looking for 'better' gear for more comfortable shaves accumulating way too many soaps and razors, vintage and modern alike! Lately I have really only been rotating between 3-4 razors and have been using a soap a month at a time and my shaves are comfortable and predictable now.
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- #244
Kinda yes, kinda no. But I didn't go as nuts as most folks here to begin with, I started with a Henson mild and used it exclusively for a few months. Bought a medium, aggressive, and Lupo, liked the medium best, and used that for a few months. Now that my technique has improved a little bit, I've recently revisited the other 3, and have listed the mild and Lupo, and may do the same with the aggressive soon.
So kinda yes... but then I recently acquired a Blackland Era and a Fatip Piccolo to try out, and there's 2-3 others I want to try if I see them come up on BST, as they were recommended by members who have similar tastes as me. But that's a short and focused list, and I don't expect to add much if anything to it, though I don't want to say "never".
Brushes, yes, I've settled on a favorite daily driver and a travel brush. Soaps yes, I have 4-5 favorites that I'll eventually rotate, but it'll take me awhile to use up some others I have.
Blades not really, I have a couple of favorites, but I figure I need to settle on a razor(s) before I really dig in there, since the pairing is supposedly important.
So what gear are your favorites that you're settling on, @Balin? And anyone else too?
I know I have consolidated and minimized quite a bit. After trying or purchasing about 12 razors over the past two years, I really only use 2 to 3 of them now. The criteria are about comfort and ease of use in providing a reasonably quick and close 2 pass shave with either a simple hand-applied cream (Barbasol, Cremo or Speick) or when time allows a brush-lathered cream or soap. The winners for me are the Leaf Twig and the RazoRock Game Changer. I am still evaluating the Schick J type but will likely use that one too.
The same has been true for brushes, which I don't always use. Purchased 5 and use only 4 and no temptation to try anything else. Honestly, I could get by with only one or 2 at most and will likely do that. Winners are the Proraso/Omega Boar and the RR Bruce synthetic.
I have only met a few soaps or creams that I don't like. That being the case, I will likely base future purchases on convenience and cost.
I do like some variety in aftershaves. The good news is that I like all of the ones available in drugstores near me (Pinaud Clubman, Aqua Velva, Skin Bracer, Old Spice, Nivea and Duke Cannon) and just a few favorites from Europe (Speick and Tabac).
For me, almost a year into traditional wet shaving.... Tomorrow is my first day using a DE razor.. and the 18th will be my first day using a Single Edge AC razor... then March 1st. one year on B&B... my buying frenzies and subsequent selling frenzies are over.
I've settled into 6 razors that all work extremely well for me... and several unscented soaps that was wonderful. I love my SV Manchurian brushes more than any of my others, but still have a few boars and synths around that are very nice as well and two additional lower cost badgers.
It's a nice feeling.... getting comfortable, smooth, relaxing yet close shaves. That is my "goal" for 2023, I guess. Enjoying the fertile valley of wet shaving. I have a few varieties of blades that all seem to work for me. I suppose as the year progresses and I use them more times, I might end up with a favorite DE blade but at the moment, other than one dud blade, they have all been excellent.
I've settled into 6 razors that all work extremely well for me... and several unscented soaps that was wonderful. I love my SV Manchurian brushes more than any of my others, but still have a few boars and synths around that are very nice as well and two additional lower cost badgers.
It's a nice feeling.... getting comfortable, smooth, relaxing yet close shaves. That is my "goal" for 2023, I guess. Enjoying the fertile valley of wet shaving. I have a few varieties of blades that all seem to work for me. I suppose as the year progresses and I use them more times, I might end up with a favorite DE blade but at the moment, other than one dud blade, they have all been excellent.
I am really nerding out this year! I am keeping a spreadsheet of my shaves so I can track what I am actually using and what I can part with! I should have real data at the end of the year of what I am actually using!
My gut tells me, I have settled on:
Modern Razors: My Wolfmen!
Vintage Razors: New RFB and Flat bottom tech
Blades: I have 1500 spread over many brands, so no real favourite there yet but also no need to get any more!
Soaps: Tabac just seems to work! I still have to try MWF but B&M works really well too.
A/S: I use the same as my soap. I am not really a mix and match kind of guy.
Brushes: They are my Achilles heel. I am liking dense 3 band badger in the 22-24 knot size lately.
It will be interesting to see what I really use by the end of the year.!
My gut tells me, I have settled on:
Modern Razors: My Wolfmen!
Vintage Razors: New RFB and Flat bottom tech
Blades: I have 1500 spread over many brands, so no real favourite there yet but also no need to get any more!
Soaps: Tabac just seems to work! I still have to try MWF but B&M works really well too.
A/S: I use the same as my soap. I am not really a mix and match kind of guy.
Brushes: They are my Achilles heel. I am liking dense 3 band badger in the 22-24 knot size lately.
It will be interesting to see what I really use by the end of the year.!
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- #248
What are they? I've read some of your recent journal and know a couple but not all. (Seems B&B changed something a few weeks ago and journals now show up under New Posts, which is nice, since that's how I browse B&B.)
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- #249
What I'm settling on, btw, since I didn't say:
Razor: Henson medium (still to try: Era, Piccolo; interested in: Blackbird original/lite, Overlander, maybe High Proof)
Brush: G5C, travel-size STF (but a Wald A1 is really tempting me)
Soap: Captain's Choice cream, Southern Witchcraft, Mama Bear (still want to try Stirling and Hendrix Classic)
Aftershave: Stirling unscented menthol or glacial
Razor: Henson medium (still to try: Era, Piccolo; interested in: Blackbird original/lite, Overlander, maybe High Proof)
Brush: G5C, travel-size STF (but a Wald A1 is really tempting me)
Soap: Captain's Choice cream, Southern Witchcraft, Mama Bear (still want to try Stirling and Hendrix Classic)
Aftershave: Stirling unscented menthol or glacial
BOSC Statistics:
I scrolled through my paper shaving notes and took stock of which razor I used when from July 2022 up to and including January 2023. This is my top 5:
This information helps me to select razors for February and March. I do not see a particular need yet to let razors go also bearing in mind that a number of them were gifts from either family or fellow brothers.
Soaps I tend to rotate - well too much actually so I have been more deliberate about using soaps for a constructive number of times. Proraso is still an all time favourite with Mike’s Barbershop coming in second or maybe first at the moment. And MWF is a class of its own.
Brushes - pretty much settled in. Maybe one addition but other than that I am fine.
Blades - I think I have favourites sorted out. And I think I need more blades of these favourites!
Guido
I scrolled through my paper shaving notes and took stock of which razor I used when from July 2022 up to and including January 2023. This is my top 5:
- Fatip SE / Fatip SB (19%)
- Gillette Flat Bottom Tech (17%)
- Razorine Flatboy / Mühle R41 (14%)
- Timeless Ti95 (12%)
- Gillette NEW Flat Bottom (6%)
This information helps me to select razors for February and March. I do not see a particular need yet to let razors go also bearing in mind that a number of them were gifts from either family or fellow brothers.
Soaps I tend to rotate - well too much actually so I have been more deliberate about using soaps for a constructive number of times. Proraso is still an all time favourite with Mike’s Barbershop coming in second or maybe first at the moment. And MWF is a class of its own.
Brushes - pretty much settled in. Maybe one addition but other than that I am fine.
Blades - I think I have favourites sorted out. And I think I need more blades of these favourites!
Guido
I am a year into serious safety razor shaving. I had a couple flings with it over the years, Using one razor and one soap and getting good enough I could get a solid, nick-free shave. This time I completely dove in with the intent of trying a ton of razors. I still have many I haven't tried yet. This is what I wanted to do for fun, but it does come at the expense of other things, like perfecting one's technique with a single setup. It is also quite frustrating to pick up a new razor and have a bad shave. I could make it easier on myself by not doing that, but hobbies are often frustrating, right? So, eventually I'll likely slow down and probably narrow my rotation. I might sell of some, but I could keep them around for fun and occasional use if I get in the mood.
I didn't think I'd do much for brushes and soap, but I have done a bit. After discovering I was lathering very poorly, I found some better soaps and a couple synthetic brushes that work for me. I'm now just trying to figure out what scents I like and that will be the end of those two rabbit holes.
I settled into blades pretty quickly and have 3 go-to options and have a good stock of those. I don't think I'll need to experiment much more, but do have a variety I haven't tried yet. But instead of that, I am sticking with a couple known blades and varying the razors.
I didn't think I'd do much for brushes and soap, but I have done a bit. After discovering I was lathering very poorly, I found some better soaps and a couple synthetic brushes that work for me. I'm now just trying to figure out what scents I like and that will be the end of those two rabbit holes.
I settled into blades pretty quickly and have 3 go-to options and have a good stock of those. I don't think I'll need to experiment much more, but do have a variety I haven't tried yet. But instead of that, I am sticking with a couple known blades and varying the razors.
SpaceM, I'll be trying the level 1 base plate with the Green Cult 2.0 soon. I got it just to try.. so you'll know if you might like one. 
I guess I just passed my 2 year anniversary of wet shaving last week without really noticing it!
I still haven't really settled in with my gear, but I am glad to be in the year long sabbatical to help me sort it out.
I have finished a few soaps this year, ruled out some razor blades and am happy with my stable of razors.
Brushes, though, I could keep going.... lol!
I still haven't really settled in with my gear, but I am glad to be in the year long sabbatical to help me sort it out.
I have finished a few soaps this year, ruled out some razor blades and am happy with my stable of razors.
Brushes, though, I could keep going.... lol!
Don't just tease us, @Balin! What are your top razors, blades, soaps, brushes??? What have you learned to improve your technique? We wanna know!
I went through my spreadsheet for this year and it looks like my top 3's in each category are:Don't just tease us, @Balin! What are your top razors, blades, soaps, brushes??? What have you learned to improve your technique? We wanna know!
Razors: Wolfman WR1 .74 OC, WR1 .67 OC and WR2 1.15 OC
Brushes: Shavemac D01 3 band 22/46, Paladin Contributors Brush and Simpsons Classic 2 Super
Soaps: Macduffs Soap Company, B&M Omnibus Base and Tabac
Blades: Its tough to say because I have been trying to use up my open tucks. Nacets, Wizamets and the Rubie's but that may change again, lol.
As for technique, I still do a slow razor rotation, using the same razor for at least a week at the time. It takes me a couple of shaves to dial in a razor. I seem to be doing better with a 2 pass shave now, even with my milder razors. I rarely get nicks or weepers anymore and if I do its usually because I am rushing. My shower and shave routine has become faster. I can be in and out of the bathroom in 20-30 mins comfortably!
Wow, that's some high end kit you've got there, @Balin! Plus it shows how much you've developed your technique to be able to shave with those OC razors. Cheers to you!
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- #257
Congrats, @Balin! I started in mid-August I think. Great kit you've got - 3 Wolfmans! (Wolfmen? Chrome's spell checker prefers Wolfmen.)
I was hoping to be more settled in on gear, but got a mild case of RAD at the start of the year and I'm still sorting through that. I'm down to 2 favorite brushes, but I want to pick up 1 more. Soaps, I have a few favorites, but need to finish some of what I have before I buy any more. I could very easily go on a soap buying spree and end up with more than I'll ever use!
I was hoping to be more settled in on gear, but got a mild case of RAD at the start of the year and I'm still sorting through that. I'm down to 2 favorite brushes, but I want to pick up 1 more. Soaps, I have a few favorites, but need to finish some of what I have before I buy any more. I could very easily go on a soap buying spree and end up with more than I'll ever use!
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- #258
I think today marks 2 years of DE shaving for me, maybe give or take a couple days.
I haven't really settled in with my gear either, but hope to get there in year 3. The only new razor still on my radar to try out is a Tatara. It's got really good blade clamping, which I've found to be the most important feature in a razor for me. I do think I'm there with brushes. One that I've been hemming and hawing about for ages now showed up on BST the other day so I jumped on it and just received it today. I only have 3, but have no desire to acquire any others, though of course reserve the right to change my mind.
Soaps, there are still some I want to try, but I have a lot to use up already. My technique still isn't great, but as it's slowly improved, my blade preference has gotten sharper. I'm planning to spend more effort exploring blades once I settle on a top razor or 2, but I'm holding off until then since the pairing seems to be important.
Lists are fun, so I'll follow @Balin's lead with my top 3's...
Razors: Henson AL13 medium, Henson AL13 mild*, Karve Overlander
Brushes: Wald A1 deep sea nimbus, AP Shave 24mm G5C night sky rocket engine, Mühle 19mm STF classic black
Soaps/creams: Southern Witchcrafts (Desairology, several others), Captain's Choice cream (sandalwood, Nor'easter), Mama Bear (dragon's blood)
Blades: Nacet, Indian Wilkinson Sword, Wizamet
Aftershaves: Stirling balm (unscented menthol, unscented glacial), Nivea balm (sensitive), Southern Witchcrafts splash (Desairology, several others)
*I sold the mild because I was unlikely to use it again as long as I have the medium. Next favorite would be Le Maurice 1.0 SB that I tried in the passaround, or of the ones I actually own, probably the Winning right now.
I haven't really settled in with my gear either, but hope to get there in year 3. The only new razor still on my radar to try out is a Tatara. It's got really good blade clamping, which I've found to be the most important feature in a razor for me. I do think I'm there with brushes. One that I've been hemming and hawing about for ages now showed up on BST the other day so I jumped on it and just received it today. I only have 3, but have no desire to acquire any others, though of course reserve the right to change my mind.
Soaps, there are still some I want to try, but I have a lot to use up already. My technique still isn't great, but as it's slowly improved, my blade preference has gotten sharper. I'm planning to spend more effort exploring blades once I settle on a top razor or 2, but I'm holding off until then since the pairing seems to be important.Lists are fun, so I'll follow @Balin's lead with my top 3's...
Razors: Henson AL13 medium, Henson AL13 mild*, Karve Overlander
Brushes: Wald A1 deep sea nimbus, AP Shave 24mm G5C night sky rocket engine, Mühle 19mm STF classic black
Soaps/creams: Southern Witchcrafts (Desairology, several others), Captain's Choice cream (sandalwood, Nor'easter), Mama Bear (dragon's blood)
Blades: Nacet, Indian Wilkinson Sword, Wizamet
Aftershaves: Stirling balm (unscented menthol, unscented glacial), Nivea balm (sensitive), Southern Witchcrafts splash (Desairology, several others)
*I sold the mild because I was unlikely to use it again as long as I have the medium. Next favorite would be Le Maurice 1.0 SB that I tried in the passaround, or of the ones I actually own, probably the Winning right now.
