N+1

[DigitalGee]

For several years, I've hung out on a bicycling forum, which is where I learned an important formula: N+1, where N=the number of bikes one currently owns, and N+1=the number of bikes one needs. Having come to B&B a while ago, it's apparent to me that the N+1 formula has merit here, too, which prompts this question:

I'm a wet shave beginner (maybe 5-6 weeks?) who began with a beginner's kit from The Art of Shaving, for $25, and then purchased their full size kit, which includes a nice badger brush, and (in my case) pre-shave oil, shaving cream, and sandalwood after-shave. I also bought a package of 100 blades from various manufacturers.

I've already posted a question on why so many people here have so much shaving stuff, and loved the answers. Looks like I'm about ready to start adding to my collection (remember, N+1).

So, given I have two brushes, both badger and one a bit larger than the other, where / what should I get next? A different after-shave? A soap instead of the cream?

What's my next move?

 

[ShaveYourSoul]

Welcome to the board! How do feel about your shave? Is there any area you feel like an upgrade would improve your experience? It's always fun to try out different razors since there is do much variance between them.

Fyi...around here the formula is N+N! (factorial for the math geeks among us)

 

[htownmmm]

RESISTANCE IS FUTILE!

You'll end up with too much of everything like the rest of us. However, there is a small minority who have all they will need that can fit in a dopp kit.

 

[Captain Coconut]

A Semogue boar brush, an Italian soft soap, a good German soap, and a mentholated aftershave, although not necessarily in that order.

 

[BallisticBurrito]

If you hurry you can get free shipping with the order of a Semogue brush from westcoastshaving.com if you use their coupon code (it's in the vendor section..can't recall it off the top of my head). Load up with aftershaves and soaps, be good to go, bro. Might I suggest something of the RazoRock variety~

But yeah..right now I have just a Edwin Jagger DE83..monday I'll have that plus a Gillette Fatboy and a Schick Krona.

 

[Mike_P]

Definitely try out a nice Semogue boar brush and some new soap. They could change your experience entirely!

 

[BrookR1]

I would start by purchasing a bunch of samples from each manufacturer until you decide what you like. Over time, you will collect lots of stuff. With samples, you will minimize the impact on your wallet and the clutter in your shave den. After you've gone through your samples you can buy the full-sized versions of what you REALLY like.

 

[ShaveYourSoul]

I would start by purchasing a bunch of samples from each manufacturer until you decide what you like. Over time, you will collect lots of stuff. With samples, you will minimize the impact on your wallet and the clutter in your shave den. After you've gone through your samples you can buy the full-sized versions of what you REALLY like.

What a sound plan! How is he ever going to get a 100 year stock of products like that??

 

[Jake]

Welcome to B&B. Have any photos of your bikes to share with guys who love to see what collections others have collected?

And I think regarding shaving items -- they take up so little space & are so different in design & function -- so much easier to trade up & out of -- the N+1 is more commonly known here as the N+X rule. N+1! is too geeky.

 

[drocu]

If you hurry you can get free shipping with the order of a Semogue brush from westcoastshaving.com if you use their coupon code (it's in the vendor section..can't recall it off the top of my head). Load up with aftershaves and soaps, be good to go, bro. Might I suggest something of the RazoRock variety~

This. Free shipping from WCS when you buy a Semogue (I'd recommend the 620 if you like to face lather or the 830 if you prefer bowl lathering) will allow you to get a lot of other goodies. Plus WCS is a vendor that sponsors B&B.

 

[nomoore]

Things you need to try eventually (wait a while before switching up razors though):

Face Lathering (or bowl lathering, whichever you haven't tried yet)
A nice hard soap (MWF, Tabac, TOBS, Mama Bears? There's so many good ones)
A non-mentholated Italian soft soap (Cella or any RazoRock)
A soap stick (Arko, Euro Palmolive, Speick, Valobra, D.R. Harris, La Toja)
A mentholated soap or creme (Proraso Green or Red)
A puck of Williams soap (just so you will know what people are talking about when they post about it)
A good boar brush (Semogue or an Omega with Pro in the name) - great on soaps, though they can sometimes be a little difficult on creams
Uberlather (Combo of soap, Cream, and a touch of glycerin)
A Gillette SuperSpeed Razor
A Gillette NEW Razor

I would recommend trying a couple of good soaps first, then moving on to a boar brush

 

[Dirk-Lerxst-Pratt]

My biking N+1 ended back in 2005 with my Serotta. I've found nothing I'd rather ride, but damn the Cervelo's sure are sexy

Sounds like you are all set on brush and blade for now. Time to try some new soaps or creams. Get your technique a little more solid and then try out and old Gillette or two. The fun never ends here as long as the check clears.

 

[rxonmymind]

Let me echo the Semogue 620 also. After the break in period it's a ugly duckling turned into a beauty of a brush. Also, try Tcheon Fung Sing Barber Rosse from http://www.barbieredifigaro.nl/. An excellent soap that exceeds the like of Cella and other almond based soaps. Their Lavanda is excellent as well. Then there's http://www.ItalianBarber.com/ owner Joseph has put together a line up of incredible value to performance under the Razorock brand. Can't be beat. And off the beaten path is the Aftershave Lucido. A true scentless a/s that dissipates after a few minutes which allows you to put on Cologne of your choice without interference. A great Non tallow soap to try is Provence Sante Green Tea soap available from WCS. A beautiful soap.
Well that's a lot of gabing so I'll stop. But let me leave by saying enjoy your journey and like cycling enjoy the ride Had a few classics like the Shogun, Univega, Sekai etc. Loved them all.

 

[PugslyCat]

Fyi...around here the formula is N+N! (factorial for the math geeks among us)

+1 - Adding a single item at a time isn't going to get you free shipping from most vendors.

What to add next depends on what intrigues you about our style of shaving. Just because you need to get your technique down before changing your shave around doesn't mean you can't start stocking up. There are several razors, blades, and soaps that get a lot of attention around here. You probably want to try some of them just to see what the fuss is about.

 

[BroJohn]

Someone here once asked 'how many brushes do you need?'

My answer is 'about 30'. My wifes' answer is 'one'.

It's a matter of perspective. Welcome to B&B.

-- John Geehman

 

[gash]

Shaving while riding is your next challenge.

 

[Go Forth]

N=N+1 does not need to grow indefinitely. You can set a limit for each item category:

Limit = 5;
If N<Limit then N=N+1, Else STOP

 

[Uncle Brian]

The easy answer to "what do i need next?" is YES

You need more of everything ... lots more.

Do you have a SE yet if not you need a GEM 1912

Any vintage Gillettes ... got to try some

Arko is a must try

 

[KipNoxzema]

It's time to go retro, and dive into one of the many different types of Gillettes.

 

[sgtd]

N=N+1 does not need to grow indefinitely. You can set a limit for each item category:

Limit = 5;
If N<Limit then N=N+1, Else STOP

Oh where's your sense of adventure?