OK I'm new, but why do you own so many brushes?

[Crazy Legs]

Hello friends,
I love this site and have spent many hours here reading about wet shaving and all that goes with it. Because of this I have been "wet shaving" for about a month now and I like it better each day. I catch myself checking my close shave while at my desk planning a different way to shave tomorrow. You guessed it, I'm crazy I guess. The fact is that I really enjoy my mornings because of the extra time I use for shaving. It's not something I have to do like before. No, it's something I look forward to because of how pleasant it is.
I have a fine EJ 89L and a few of the different soaps mentioned often here. I have tried different blades to obtain the best (for me) results and even different balms that complete the process. The brush I bought after reading several posts is the Simpson Chubby 1 in Best Badger. It is teriffic! Yes, I'm new and there are many brushes out there. But you guys that have been wet shaving for a while, why do you have so many brushes? Is it bad to use the same one everyday? Does it need to dry out longer before its next use?
The reason I ask is because many of you have a lot of money tied up in your brushes. And they are all top quality. Isn't there one brush that you could stick to and say, "This is the one"?
I use to have many watches at one time. Several thousand dollars sitting in a box that I wore in rotation. I love to ride and would like to have more than one bike. Even though I can only ride one at a time. But both of these items could have different purposes.They could be sporty or dressy, or a "beater" for work. Sport bike, tourer for the long haul. But the brush does the same thing every time, every day. Soooo, Why so many brushes? (whew!)

 

[Darjeeling Express]

Bunch of compulsive horders who have no self control and buy on impulse. You thought it was complicated?

 

[Drubbing]

I too have on one brush, a T&H (Rooney) 1/2.

It's all I need, and it doesn't complain that I use it everyday. It's just these blokes with 2,3,4, a cabinet full of brushes can't help themselves. It's the pricey end of shaving AD.

I'm reminded of the story Will Smith told when he earned his first few million and developed AD with cars. His father was incensed: "What's wrong with you, boy? Why you need 8 cars, you only got one butt!"

 

[johnniegold]

I use to have many watches at one time. Several thousand dollars sitting in a box that I wore in rotation. I love to ride and would like to have more than one bike. Even though I can only ride one at a time. But both of these items could have different purposes.They could be sporty or dressy, or a "beater" for work. Sport bike, tourer for the long haul. But the brush does the same thing every time, every day. Soooo, Why so many brushes? (whew!)

You've really answered your own question.

Welcome to B&B and I look forward to seeing your growing brush collection in the ensuing months and years.

 

[Obsessed]

Bunch of compulsive horders who have no self control and buy on impulse. You thought it was complicated?

 

[Ru4scuba?]

Ironically I just came across this thread as I was contemplating asking if I could still get in on the G3 Group Buy...but now...I will slowly back away..... (staring at existing brushes embarrased)

 

[johnniegold]

Btw, how are you fixed with your other shaving items?

 

[The Last Chimney]

Btw, how are you fixed with your other shaving items?

Is that organized alphabetically or chronologically?

 

[echelon3]

Is that organized alphabetically or chronologically?

Obviously by weight.

 

[wimbouman]

Hello and welcome!

Nice question.

As 'lunacy' is already mentioned, and probably the best answer to the why of our acquisition disorder, my two cents are:

1. Brushes are epistemic objects
2. Brushes are materialized culture

Brushes are nice objects to talk about. Different brushes unfold differently to different people. What you may like, may not be what I like but at least is provides a great conversation piece and a carrier for learning about our little 'badger and blade' practice at hand, its history and so on.

Moreover, brushes can underline your place in culture, whether that be by buying a well known signature brush from a renowned vendor or carefully restoring that rare but oh so beautiful masterpiece. Either expensive or cheap, prefab or handmade, it gives us a sense of belonging to a tradition and a path to the future (like any piece of industrial design, I think).

And there are some more prosaic, a little less scientific why's
- how can one have a rotation with just one brush ?
- we do need different brushes for soaps and creams, don't we ?
- there are limited editions, which must be bought (see the Eagle)
- how in the world could one choose between a Wee Scot, a Chubby, a 1305, a 2009 Le and so on?

Cheers,

Wim

 

[sodajerk]

If you have one you like, no need for another, but, you know what they say about variety! ) I have a rotation of three - each has a different feel - and use them as the urge hits me.

 

[Blue_2]

Ironically I just came across this thread as I was contemplating asking if I could still get in on the G3 Group Buy...but now...I will slowly back away..... (staring at existing brushes embarrased)

That's a charitable fundraiser and therefore does not count.....

 

[msandoval858]

I love shaving brushes and I love to collect stuff. Works out great for me.

 

[SubmarinerLV]

Questioning SBAD on B&B. Epic fail. It is totally logical and a biological necessity .

Regards Grant

 

[bythbook]

Bunch of compulsive horders who have no self control and buy on impulse. You thought it was complicated?

pretty much sums it up.


I s'pose you'll be asking the same question about

• razors
• soaps
• creams
• aftershaves
• colognes

it's just fun, is all.

 

[ssultan]

I couldn't have said it better myself

Bunch of compulsive horders who have no self control and buy on impulse. You thought it was complicated?

 

[APenguin]

That blue bottle of Old Spice looks like a bottle of Alize.

 

[DSB]

Bunch of compulsive horders who have no self control and buy on impulse. You thought it was complicated?

It's like you're inside my brain.

 

[Antique Hoosier]

.....The brush I bought after reading several posts is the Simpson Chubby 1 in Best Badger....... Why so many brushes? (whew!)

You selected one of the finest iconic shave brushes right from the start. Congrats! Use it everyday with no worries. If by Christmas of 2010 you aren't desiring another brush, count yourself as fortunate.

 

[johnniegold]

You selected one of the finest iconic shave brushes right from the start. Congrats! Use it everyday with no worries. If by Christmas of 2010 you aren't desiring another brush, count yourself as fortunate.

He'll probably be on his third brush by then.