When first starting to build up a collection, should you focus on soaps, Razors, or Brushes?

[Phoenix997]

So I've been wet shaving for a couples years but only properly starting getting into artisan soaps, brushes and razors about 4 months ago.

I've been experimenting with what I like and don't. Soaps and AS's have been the easiest to try as I either get samples or try them and shift them on if I don't like them.

I now have a good amount of soaps and AS's (9) and I've also acquired some nice brushes. I currently have one SV 2.0, two Acca Kappas, one plisson on the way, and a PAA synthetic.

I have one straight razor only.

Going forward I feel covered for soaps unless some new releases come out. Brushes I have enough but am still tempted to buy more. Razors are clearly behind.

Should I keep focusing on brushes or would I be better off now to add some more razors to balance it out a bit?

 

[Phoenixkh]

I think we are all different in that regard. I showed up here with one razor, two soaps and one brush. I started learning about brushes first, then soaps and finally different AC and DE razors.

It turns out, I can only use unscented soaps. That makes that chore easy. I went through a lot of brushes until I found what works for me. We’ve already talked about that. How do you like your SV brush after using it for a while? The SV 2.0 has become the standard for me. I have my final one being delivered tomorrow.

I’m pretty much set for razors, but I’ve been buying and selling razors for the last two years. I finally found the efficiency zone that works best for me. All of my razors fit into that upper mild and lower, medium efficiency zone.

There are lots of way you can approach it, of course. You can select one group or you can try lots of different things in parallel paths.

 

[Chan Eil Whiskers]

So I've been wet shaving for a couples years but only properly starting getting into artisan soaps, brushes and razors about 4 months ago.

I've been experimenting with what I like and don't. Soaps and *** have been the easiest to try as I either get samples or try them and shift them on if I don't like them.

I now have a good amount of soaps and *** (9) and I've also acquired some nice brushes. I currently have one SV 2.0, two Acca Kappas, one plisson on the way, and a PAA synthetic.

I have one straight razor only.

Going forward I feel covered for soaps unless some new releases come out. Brushes I have enough but am still tempted to buy more. Razors are clearly behind.

Should I keep focusing on brushes or would I be better off now to add some more razors to balance it out a bit?

If you're satisfied with what you have why acquire more?

I hope your SV brush is as good as mine. I have five SV brushes. All of them are equally perfect. All I really need is one of them. Not that that has stopped me from acquiring.

That's why they're called Acquisition Disorders, right?

Happy shaves,

Jim

 

[Phoenix997]

I think we are all different in that regard. I showed up here with one razor, two soaps and one brush. I started learning about brushes first, then soaps and finally different AC and DE razors.

It turns out, I can only use unscented soaps. That makes that chore easy. I went through a lot of brushes until I found what works for me. We’ve already talked about that. How do you like your SV brush after using it for a while? The SV 2.0 has become the standard for me. I have my final one being delivered tomorrow.

I’m pretty much set for razors, but I’ve been buying and selling razors for the last two years. I finally found the efficiency zone that works best for me. All of my razors fit into that upper mild and lower, medium efficiency zone.

There are lots of way you can approach it, of course. You can select one group or you can try lots of different things in parallel paths.

I like the firmness of the SV brush. I've gotten used to the shorter loft. My other main brushes the acca kappa are very soft and it's good I have both options as the contrast helps me see what I like most. Some days I feel like the firm SV, others the soft and pillowy acca kappa.

I would buy another SV, it wasn't my opinion at first. Equally, I would buy another acca kappa.

I've probably maxed out on soaps and ***. I've discovered I really like tobacco scents and anything strong. Not a fan of anything flowery or delicate.

PAA works best for me although admittedly I've only tried them, A&E, and noble otter. Noble otter burned like hell, Ariana wouldn't lather no matter what I did. I'm less keen to try more soaps and after the noble otter experience I'm very cautious about the ingredients.

I sampled a large number of PAA scents and maybe 10 or 11 really resonated with me.

Since then I've been more focused on EDPs and less on soaps and *** as the scent don't last long anyway. I'll probably go unscented at some point as well and just stick with EDPs for scent.

Razors I am still keen to explore more as with brushes

 

[Phoenix997]

If you're satisfied with what you have why acquire more?

I hope your SV brush is as good as mine. I have five SV brushes. All of them are equally perfect. All I really need is one of them. Not that that has stopped me from acquiring.

That's why they're called Acquisition Disorders, right?

Happy shaves,

Jim

Yeah I could easily get by with a third or less of the soaps I have. Probably even half the brushes too.

No doubt it is an addiction and I've gone beyond the point of it serving a need. The Plisson brush I ordered was overkill but I just came back from Paris and saw the invalides museum and all their marketing about it being napoleon's brush etc. persuaded me.

 

[Phoenix997]

Just realised it is blocking my shorthand for aftershaves

 

[DrakeMegrim]

I say follow what suits you at the moment and go from there. As you keep getting into the hobby your preference for things might change over time. You might want a more efficient razor or one with more blade feel. Maybe a new brush comes out that piques your interest. Just have fun and enjoy the process.

FWIW, I've been tame about soaps just because I like to finish a soap before I move on to something else. I personally don't want to have a soap sitting around for years and losing scent or decreased functionality. I know lots here haven't noticed that but it's just my preference.

 

[DrStrange]

Just realised it is blocking my shorthand for aftershaves

I was going to try to buy a vowel.

 

[EclipseRedRing]

I have had difficulty stopping myself from buying things, most of which I did not need, and which provided me with little lasting satisfaction. At one point the volume of my shaving inventory actually began to cause me stress and unhappiness. I still have far too much, but at no time have I struggled with knowing what to buy next. If I were not certain of what I wanted to purchase then I would question whether I should buy anything at all, otherwise the hobby will have changed from shaving into shopping, no different from buying groceries. My advice is to wait a while until you just know

 

[LRod]

I think you should focus on whatever you like!
I don't think any order exists to be honest.
Is your plan to collect everything (razors, soaps, brushes etc..)?
Or do you just want to collect one or two things out of all the shaving gear available?
Me for example:
My weakness is razors and it's what I've amassed most (buy, try, sell some & keep some).
But I'm very happy and set when it comes to brushes, soaps, bowls etc.. I have a few of each and
generally stick with the same ones.
So different directions you can take with this hobby!!

 

[Phoenix997]

I have had difficulty stopping myself from buying things, most of which I did not need, and which provided me with little lasting satisfaction. At one point the volume of my shaving inventory actually began to cause me stress and unhappiness. I still have far too much, but at no time have I struggled with knowing what to buy next. If I were not certain of what I wanted to purchase then I would question whether I should buy anything at all, otherwise the hobby will have changed from shaving into shopping, no different from buying groceries. My advice is to wait a while until you just know

I'm feeling shaving brushes the most. I get real excited thinking about my Plisson that's coming in or getting another Plisson or an SV. But then I'm thinking my collection will be one sided if I focus mainly on brushes and neglect razors.

 

[Phoenix997]

I think you should focus on whatever you like!
I don't think any order exists to be honest.
Is your plan to collect everything (razors, soaps, brushes etc..)?
Or do you just want to collect one or two things out of all the shaving gear available?
Me for example:
My weakness is razors and it's what I've amassed most (buy, try, sell some & keep some).
But I'm very happy and set when it comes to brushes, soaps, bowls etc.. I have a few of each and
generally stick with the same ones.
So different directions you can take with this hobby!!

For me brushes really do it for me. I don't think I can have too many brushes

 

[MrSpeedy]

I only collect soaps, but I use them all. I have what I like for razors (2), blades (2 brands), and brushes (3, but only 1 is used regularly). But I enjoy the variety of scents in soaps.

 

[AndyPanda]

TLDR: First razor and blades and soap were all I ever needed - could have saved a fortune if I had just stuck with them and not started collecting everything I read about here. But trying a few brushes was valuable and I eventually found what I like (silvertip badger) and what size I like (22mm - 24mm is all I ever need - 26 and 28 are luxurious and I enjoy them but way more lather than I can use). Learning how to make decent lather and what kind of brush I like was the longest learning curve for me.

When I joined the forum I had one razor (Wet Shaving Club 'Merica) and 100 pack of blades (Gillette Platinum) and one brush ($10 WSC Boar) and one soap (Mitchell's Wool Fat).

Now I have many razors but the 'Merica is still the best of them all - yet I shave more with all the other razors just because I want to see how they compare etc. And whenever I wreck my face trying some new razor, I can go back to the 'Merica and get perfect shaves with no irritation while my face recovers.

Same with the soap - I have many soaps but I think the old, tallow MWF is still the best of the bunch - yet I spend more time trying all the other exotic soaps.

The first brush was NOT the best though - it was OK and would have served me fine if I'd stayed with just that. But my lathering routine is the best part of my day now and I can't wait for my next shave so I can lather up my face with a nice Badger brush. I'm really glad I tried a bunch of different badger brushes and found what qualities I like best.

 

[Darth Scandalous]

I didn't get into this with the aim of collecting, and I still don't think of myself as a collector, although I have a smallish collection going on. It happened pretty organically, I bought a few things to figure out what I liked, and bought a few more of things I knew I'd like, once I had it figured out. I have about a dozen brushes, as a result, but I only regularly use about half that. I have four soaps, two are different flavors of the same brand. I have 4 splashes that get used regularly, some of that is seasonal. I have a handful of DEs but 3 clear favorites.

I did end up with a bunch of straights, I really like vintage straights and there is a wide variety to choose from. But, even that followed the "figuring out what I like" path, I sold off a bunch and bought a few more nice examples of razors that I knew I'd really like. And I'm very happy with what I have at the moment, although I probably will sell off a few more that aren't getting as much love. Mostly to make room in the storage case.

I guess that's a long way to say, just let it happen organically. I'd be quite happy with any one of the soaps I have, maybe two or three of the brushes, and one or two DEs. I think I would get bored with just one or two straights though.

 

[DrStrange]

I'm just going ruin the joke and spill the punchline:

Hones!

 

[EclipseRedRing]

I'm feeling shaving brushes the most. I get real excited thinking about my Plisson that's coming in or getting another Plisson or an SV. But then I'm thinking my collection will be one sided if I focus mainly on brushes and neglect razors.

I know how you feel. I have downsized and still have more to go, but I have 15 to 20 brushes, at least 50 vintage aftershaves, and 20+ vintage razors. I mostly use vintage Old Spice, Tabac, and Yardley hard soaps and must have approaching 100 pucks/sticks, plus another 25 assorted vintage hard soaps. Then I have a box with 45 tallow Palmolive shaving sticks...... it is madness. I have more Yardley soap alone than I could ever use in my lifetime. I now get a great deal of satisfaction from donating those things that I know I will never use, in that way perhaps they were worth buying after all.

 

[Whisky]

In true B&B style, just buy it all.

 

[Whisky]

I now have a good amount of soaps and AS's (9) and I've also acquired some nice brushes. I currently have one SV 2.0, two Acca Kappas, one plisson on the way, and a PAA synthetic.

I have one straight razor only

 

[Darth Scandalous]

In true B&B style, just buy it all.

Yes, buy everything, but also backups of everything. It is the way.