My first interest in DE shaving was to save money. That might have been accomplished had I not become fascinated by different razors and other items that have led to an inventory that will only really be cost effective, strictly from a shaving perspective, if I live to be 127 and shave every day. I'm having fun, getting great shaves and learning a lot, so on an expense vs value continuum I am ahead of the game.
To date I have not spent over $35.00 for a for any of the 15 razors that I have purchased and use regularly. Proraso and Arko run about $10/ tub. I spent $15 for a tin of Pre de Provence #63 when I was on a trip and bought it impulsively. I still use the first $12 Perfecto brush that I bought and have a Maaggard Synthetic. Semogue 830 and a Parker Pure Badger that get used. At one point, I had a Parker Silver tip brush that I paid $60 for. I used it a couple of times but every time I looked at it I had buyer's remorse and truthfully I couldn't say that I noticed a huge difference. I finally gave it to my son just it so would be gone.
Where do others start to tremble about the purchase decision? I see razors that go into the hundreds of dollars and brushes that are similar. I can't go into an Art of Shaving store without astonishment. I am interested in what the desired outcome besides a shave is with some of these purchases. I know that I feel differently about using my fat handle tech than my original Parker from Amazon but I can't picture investing in a custom razor. This is my perspective only and I am interested in a) what price point makes you just say no and b) what makes the purchase satisfying when you make the investment in top of the line gear. I see the collector car market as a comparable example- as I keep running up miles on my old Tacoma.
To date I have not spent over $35.00 for a for any of the 15 razors that I have purchased and use regularly. Proraso and Arko run about $10/ tub. I spent $15 for a tin of Pre de Provence #63 when I was on a trip and bought it impulsively. I still use the first $12 Perfecto brush that I bought and have a Maaggard Synthetic. Semogue 830 and a Parker Pure Badger that get used. At one point, I had a Parker Silver tip brush that I paid $60 for. I used it a couple of times but every time I looked at it I had buyer's remorse and truthfully I couldn't say that I noticed a huge difference. I finally gave it to my son just it so would be gone.
Where do others start to tremble about the purchase decision? I see razors that go into the hundreds of dollars and brushes that are similar. I can't go into an Art of Shaving store without astonishment. I am interested in what the desired outcome besides a shave is with some of these purchases. I know that I feel differently about using my fat handle tech than my original Parker from Amazon but I can't picture investing in a custom razor. This is my perspective only and I am interested in a) what price point makes you just say no and b) what makes the purchase satisfying when you make the investment in top of the line gear. I see the collector car market as a comparable example- as I keep running up miles on my old Tacoma.