Variety or consistency?

[ShaverGN]

Greetings, fellow wet shavers!

I have been back to the traditional wet shaving for almost two years and accumulated a variety of DE and SE razors, blades, soaps, creams, brushes, and aftershaves. I use to rotate them daily. Then I started to rotate them at each blade change. Results seem to be more consistent.

The last few weeks I have been pondering whether consistency is better than variety. Should I just stick with a few razors, blades, soaps that work best?

So, what are your thoughts on the matter? Do you prefer consistency of results or the excitement of the variety of shaving utensils/products?

 

[Niles]

Should I just stick with a few razors, blades, soaps that work best?

This is what I do. I spent time experimenting with a lot of different products. Now I know what I like and generally like to keep just those few that I trust. But different personalities go at this hobby in different ways.

 

[Teppanyaki]

The only rule I have never seen broken her is "Your mileage may vary," or what works for one person doesn't necessarily work for everyone. If it works for you, then I'd stick with that. A little variety is nice for me, personally.

 

[dieselfuel79]

I am following along on the same track. There's lots of goodies out there to try, but I think at this point I much rather prefer the items that give me a terrific shave.

 

[DBdL]

My opinion is to follow what works best. Although variety is great it is not worth it to feel as if your face is destroyed in the process. Of course for me shaving is a means to an end (smooth face) and not everyone follows that path.

That being said I still like to explore here and there (over the last years I have tried a variety of products, usually samples). The purpose of this experimentation is not so much for variety but to find out what works best. Thus for a couple months I will use only one of three creams that are my standard (CF, AdP and XPEC) and usually one of four blades (7 O'Clock Stainless Steel green, Astra SP, Feather or Bolzano). Every so often I try something new though (blades for at least 5-10 shaves pending on comfort/efficiency). Other then that I only have one brush (Kent BLK4) and one razor (Mergress).

So many ways to get to the same endpoint, the question is how do you view the endpoint and do you consider the voyage as part of the fun or not. Example scenic route or efficiency. Answer this question and you shall know what kind of shaver you most likely are.

Cheers and happy shaving everyone,

D

 

[Chadao]

I like variety, but I have not yet found a razor I like as well as my iKon OC. I still mix it up with blades and soap...although MWF gets 80% of my shaves. So, if I could mix it up, I would, but I tend to definitely prefer particular products. But I do have about a 10-product rotation of blades.

 

[rxonmymind]

When you first start out consistency. Later as you develope a little more skill, variety is the way to go within certain tolerances of course. Always have a solid fallback in case one shave goes bad. Like hitting reset.

 

[OMEN]

I like trying different things. Part of what makes this sort if shaving fun is having that variety to choose from in the morning, and knowing there are still many great products out there. I have my favourites of course, but I use almost all my things. I bought so much I was bound to have a few dud buys.

 

[JaxJim]

I like trying different things. Part of what makes this sort if shaving fun is having that variety to choose from in the morning, and knowing there are still many great products out there. I have my favourites of course, but I use almost all my things. I bought so much I was bound to have a few dud buys.

This expresses well my take on this question. No doubt I could shave faster and, perhaps, with (perhaps) nominally better results, if I used the same hardware and software each time, but what keeps me interested is the variety.

 

[Eeyore]

I prefer consistency in most things, also in my choice of shaving products. Maybe boring (for some) but very predictable.

I have one brand of blades, use the same razor for 80% of the time, and use a few soaps and creams that I know work well for me.

 

[Geoface]

As tempting as it may be to purchase everything on the Internet, I've found products that give me good shaves and no irritation so I stick with them. If I'm in an antique store and see a new razor I'll probably buy it to try it out (this is how I discovered that SE razors work far better for me than DEs). As far as creams, AS, and ASBs go, I just use what works and what I can buy locally.

PS. Once I find a type of razor I like I usually purchase a couple of models for experimenting. I buy vintage and even if I don’t like the razor it still looks beautiful sitting in the den.

 

[Shaving_CHENG]

It is fun to have a lot, but it is also a pain. I'm working down to just those items I like the most for their performance, and plan to stay lean.

 

[watchiekong]

I tend to keep to what I know works best for me:about four razors (Digress, Pils, a Mergressand a Fatboy) two soaps - Mdc and MWF; and three blade brands Astra SP, Wilkinson Sword and Polsiver SI. Shaving for me is a means to an end and I like the consistency as I hate having to think or consider variables in the morning.

 

[The Dean]

Consistency! I am consistently looking to try new things and increase the Variety in my routine.

I'd get pretty bored using the same things every day.

 

[Mick]

So, what are your thoughts on the matter? Do you prefer consistency of results or the excitement of the variety of shaving utensils/products?

I shave with a different razor, blade, soap/cream, brush, and aftershave every day.

I might go months before using the same razor/blade combination and maybe even go years before using the same full list (razor, blade, brush, soap/cream, aftershave) a second time.

Every shave is a new shave with a new selection of products.

I do get a consistent BBS shave, regardless of what I use. That part never changes

 

[BrookR1]

I use a variety of soaps and aftershaves but find myself settling on a few stalwarts when it comes to brushes and razors. I soon hope to whittle away at my soap collection, but that will take several years.

 

[Badger Bill]

Haha this is great.... I just finished shaving with a razor that I hadn't used in a while, and I'm sitting here thinking, WHY did I just do that??? This shave wasn't nearly as pleasant as my usuals!

Then again, it wasn't all that bad... just not exceptional. For variety, I think I can take that. But if things started dipping down to just fair, hmmm I'd probably chuck the item in question. As others have said, variability within tolerances. How tight those tolerances are is up to you.

- Badger Bill

 

[August West]

I enjoy experimenting a bit but lean toward consistency. I am in the phase now of finding the 'right razor'. I am cautious on purchases so things go very slow for me. I am a bit 'hung up' on buying locally and this limits me greatly. I really don't want to pay shipping for shaving supplies. I have paid shipping for Krampert's products, Clubman products, Arko Sticks, and my Omega Pro 48. Worth every penny I might add. I think that is why I like C.O. Bigelow so much besides its' performance. I can get it locally. Same thing with Old Spice After Shave P&G Classic and The Original Clubman. I am now looking into The Art of Shaving Store that just opened. They may be pricey, but if I find their products satisfactory I will probably shop there rather than pay shipping. Depends how the numbers add up. I like walking into a brick and mortar and walking out with my stuff. I like to consistently use what I can find locally. All roads lead back to Old Spice for me. Just my two cents.

 

[custer]

I stick with my vintage Gillette TTO's and Personna blades but I like to change up my soaps. I currently use a Vulfix 2006 brush and
just ordered a Semogue SOC and will probably switch back and forth between them.

 

[takeshi]

Do you prefer consistency of results or the excitement of the variety of shaving utensils/products?

A little of both. I have my go-to stuff and occasionally try out new stuff. Every so often my go-to stuff changes as a result of trying new stuff.

It doesn't have to be one or the other unless you strongly prefer one over the other.