How do you choose?

[Oasis Man]

Over the past few months, I have gone crazy with purchasing everything. Razors, soaps, creams, aftershaves, and razors. After going in the den to get ready for my shave, I am always confronted with what products to use? Today I looked at the shelf and actually got overwhelmed and walked out! How do you choose your products? Certain products for certain days or weeks? Do you pick out one and stick with it for awhile? It seems like I always want to try everything atleast once. I will get a rotation down, I was just wondering how you went about choosing.

 

[djh]

I narrow things down by using the same puck of soap each day from start to finish. That just leaves brushes (not always easy), razors (grab the one with the blade in it) and then AS and Cologne. Some times it seems to take forever...

 

[GarrettReid]

Cologne is the only thing I have trouble deciding.

 

[isaac d.]

Easy! Narrow down the den!

Hypothetically, if you have 10 razors, 5 brushes, 10 soaps, 5 aftershaves, that figures out to 2500 different combinations! I'd have no idea where to start if I had that many shaving products.

 

[Toonr]

Easy! Narrow down the den!

Hypothetically, if you have 10 razors, 5 brushes, 10 soaps, 5 aftershaves, that figures out to 2500 different combinations! I'd have no idea where to start if I had that many shaving products.

now add a large sampler pack of blades!

 

[Oasis Man]

Easy! Narrow down the den!

Hypothetically, if you have 10 razors, 5 brushes, 10 soaps, 5 aftershaves, that figures out to 2500 different combinations! I'd have no idea where to start if I had that many shaving products.

WOW! I never thought of that. I have atleast 10 razors to shave with, 5 brushes, 15 soaps, 15 creams, and 20 aftershaves. Maybe I should have a den reduction. Some of the soaps and creams I haven't even tried yet.

 

[Rhines]

Just go with whatever your hand hits first!

 

[Mick]

Over the past few months, I have gone crazy with purchasing everything. Razors, soaps, creams, aftershaves, and razors. After going in the den to get ready for my shave, I am always confronted with what products to use? Today I looked at the shelf and actually got overwhelmed and walked out! How do you choose your products? Certain products for certain days or weeks? Do you pick out one and stick with it for awhile? It seems like I always want to try everything atleast once. I will get a rotation down, I was just wondering how you went about choosing.

It's tough when you have too much "stuff". Sometimes it takes me hours to decide what to use. I take a picture of the items I use. It's the only way I can know for sure when the last time I used something (go back through the photos until I find the last time it was used)

I started Single Edge Sunday and Merkur Monday so that I would be "forced" to use my SE and Merkur razors at least once a week.

There is also Tech Tuesday so those 3 "theme" days takes care of just under half the week.

Now what cream/soap and brush is another tough decision that has to be made

I am totally lost on which blade to use so I keep about 8 - 10 different brands unwrapped at all times

 

[jzuzphreek]

I haven't gone crazy like most other people (SWMBO thinks differently) but here's my scenario. I have 5 razors (not counting travel tech). Recently I purchased 5 five-packs of blades I'm very interested in. Ideally, I'll find one or 2 blades that are best. My plan is to open 1 pack of blades at a time. Try each type in each of my razors. Shave until a blade becomes uncomfortable. I only have 1 brush (hopefully will become 2 soon). 2 sticks (Arko, Valobra) and 1 tub (P.160) to choose from. 2 AS (Clubman, AV). I have a few different Frags and typically just rotate them (whatever my 3 year old decides he wants to use to "smell like daddy").

5 Razors (blade is decided)
3 soaps
2 AS

That alone is 30 choices per day. Add 5 blade types to that, and it becomes 150 choices. If I get a badger brush it becomes 300 choices!! Agggghhh

 

[RCA]

I shave with a Merkur 38c with Astra platinum blades. I have one brush and will get another when this one wears out. I have four tubs of the top English lemon or lime and one of Poraso and three aftershaves . I look, oh how I look but a little voice in me says do you really need that. Plus I have a hot towel straight razor shave once a month so that's where my money goes

 

[jzuzphreek]

I shave with a Merkur 38c with Astra platinum blades. I have one brush and will get another when this one wears out. I have four tubs of the top English lemon or lime and one of Poraso and three aftershaves . I look, oh how I look but a little voice in me says do you really need that. Plus I have a hot towel straight razor shave once a month so that's where my money goes

Your little voice is much more polite than mine. Mine hollers "Hey buddy, you're broke. Your wife will kill you if you buy that!"

 

[Oasis Man]

It also doesn't help that I live 5 minutes from Imperial Shaving. I can't wait until they offer straight razor shaves. Maybe I could make a chart and throw darts or let the kids pick.

 

[mistercitizen]

I'm getting so I stick with the same blade and will rotate it around in different (but similar) razors for a while. Brushes are always based on the soap I pick and not the other way around. I usually decide on the soap or cream I'm in the mood for and pick the rest accordingly..... brush, aftershave, etc.

Ben

 

[musicman1951]

I only have three razors - but use one 99% of the time. I only have 5 brushes, but alternate 2 99% of the time. Cream is where I have a collection, but I just grab whatever moves me that day. Sometimes I'll use the same one for a few days in a row - but not usually.

As long as you get rid of the stuff you really don't like what difference does it make? Grab something and have at it.

 

[dpmtherrien]

I don't make a big thing about it. I just look at the stuff I use in my rotation and decide then what I'll use. No problem with that, and it just works out.

 

[tlentz]

Tim,
I'm just south of the square and I agree. I can't believe all the items at imperial shaving. I'm not in your league though, only one razor in my stable ej de89. Don't know what else is a good pick and I hate gambling.
Have a good one.
Tlentz

It also doesn't help that I live 5 minutes from Imperial Shaving. I can't wait until they offer straight razor shaves. Maybe I could make a chart and throw darts or let the kids pick.

 

[rockviper]

I am in a "Use it up" mode for soaps and creams and have been for the past 8 months or so. Still so much to work through and more keeps finding its way here.... what is this? a drop in care clinic for unloved soaps? Ummmm, okay. Works for me!

Working through my AS/balms one at a time as well. Generally use my B&B Omega boar, with the Omega mixed Mighty Midget getting duty every fortnight or so.

Razorwise, I simply alternate between my straights and bring in the shavette every blue moon.

 

[sharpen]

I'm the kind of person alway wanting to have better products and objects to "enhance" my grooming experiences.

Once I buy something, a few days later I read/hear about another product, that may be even better than what I've just bought, and the AD kicks in. So I have lots of items in my rotation (3 creams, 8 colognes, 15-ish hair products, many different blades, 7 shower gels, etc).

It's hard to choose honestly. Some mornings I go with the weather (like Proraso Green in the summer! aww!), other days I randomly pick, other times when I have a night out/event, I use my most expensive products. I also sometimes start with one shower gel, then its smell leads me to choosing other products for my routine that I think have fragrances that match.

It's all a matter of feeling!

 

[Toothpick]

I don't choose, I let the products choose me.

 

[LMAN007]

now add a large sampler pack of blades!

x 10(number of blades) equals 25,000!