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

[Chan Eil Whiskers]

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.

I hope to hear more about that Plisson brush.

Here's my Plisson razor.

Happy shaves,

Jim

 

[Coler]

I think the two things that affect your shave most are your razor/blade and your shaving technique. I would focus on getting that right first. Once you have a razor you like dialled in you can experiment as you choose. Of course your preferences may evolve as you do.

Choice of brush is completely down to what you like and enjoy. You only *need* one brush. If you want more it's up to you.

Similarly, lather is entirely a personal preference based on what works for you. I would suggest not expanding your soap/cream rotation until you have got your technique and razor/blade dialled in nicely.

 

[SydneyShaver]

Probably soap and blades. There’s a huge difference in experience with these at not too big a cost.

 

[DrIoannis]

In my opinion:
1)First find the soaps/creams you like (base, aroma). You need to try to find what you and your face like. Personally after 7+ years and 50+ soaps, I am still searching for more. I do have my preferences (6-7 like SV, MdC, Nuavia, Grooming Cult, Zaharoff, A&E...) and know what I like but I do not hesitate to try something new. Also it's not necessary to use every day the ONE. You need to have a motivation and mine is the scent of the soap.
2a)Check for razors.You also need to try what is best for you and your skin. You have so many choices. Try and if its not for you sell it. Do not keep it if you do not need it.
2b)Blades and razors must be checked together. Try to find a combination that suits your needs. This might take some time.
3)Finally choose your brushes. In my opinion this step is the easiest. Buy the best badger you can, which is not necessary the most expensive. I have some synthetics but I think, for the moment, nothing can beat a proper Silvertip/Mancurian shaving brush. You can choose handmade for you or not. I use my synthetics for traveling or when the soap I have might not be enough. They are not bad but...

 

[BobbyB]

Granted that I am a minimalist, but my input would be a good one each of the following:
1. Razor
2. Blade
3. Brush
4. Soap or cream
5. Basic lathering bowl
6. Alum stick or block
7. Basic brand after shave

 

[BigJ]

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

+1! Yes!! (You beat me to that sage advice.)

 

[musicman1951]

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

This has always been my inspiration for shopping. I’ve been happy with my soaps for quite a few years and rarely try anything new. I had plenty of brushes, but this one was a little too floppy and that one was a little too stiff and it took longer to find my perfect brushes. I’ve been using the same razor daily for 8+ years.

I suspect there are more than a few of us who are not quite satisfied. Then there are others who enjoy collecting regardless of how satisfied they are. Whatever makes you happy is good.

 

[DrStrange]

, and I still don't think of myself as a collector,

I can still remember what that's like.

 

[Edgelord]

I have enough hardware for many lifetimes. I have enough software for a couple decades… I am good.

My plan is to bottom feed for the near future. I am just going to buy cheap hardware at garage/estate sales, antique stores/malls and flea markets.

I have no needs… I have more than enough of everything. I can’t even justify paying fair prices at this point.

My plan is to get pickier and cheaper.

 

[Pat Puma]

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

Yes.

 

[Pat Puma]

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

RAD, BAD, and SAD are all very real around here.

 

[Edgelord]

RAD, BAD, and SAD are all very real around here.

I am seven months in… and I have 83 razors…

 

[Phoenix997]

RAD, BAD, and SAD are all very real around here.

What is RAD, BAD and SAD?

 

[m949]

Razor Acquisition Disorder, Brush Acquisition Disorder, Soap Acquisition Disorder… don’t worry, sooner or later they’ll all catch up with you. Just let it happen.

 

[Phoenix997]

Razor Acquisition Disorder, Brush Acquisition Disorder, Soap Acquisition Disorder… don’t worry, sooner or later they’ll all catch up with you. Just let it happen.
View attachment 1880523

Yep, I have those

 

[m949]

Yep, I have those

You’re not alone, we all have them to some degree. I’m also quite new to the DE shaving world and in just over a year I accumulated:

- six DE razors
- five brushes
- four soaps and a lot of samples
- three aftershaves
- and more of a dozen EdPs and EdTs

That is a very modest collection comparatively, but rest assured that will grow with time.

I’m quite deliberate with my purchases though; I never buy more than 2 items in one order, I have clear budget limits on each item- I don’t buy razors costing more than USD 100, no brushes more than USD 50 and definitely no more EdPs costing more than USD 200.

Not that I don’t want that Wolfman, that Wald brush or that Creed EdP, I just made the conscious decision for myself that I don’t want to spend that kind money right now. I guess you could say I’m a cheapo that way, but it’s quite exhilarating to purchase an amazingly performing razor and spending just 20 bucks for it.

I recommend to slow down, be very specific with what you buy when. Don’t rush, you and I have a lot of time to accumulate a respectable collection. This is one of the things I have learned from the lovely community on B&B - slow down with your acquisitions, the ride will be so much more pleasurable. Believe me, we’ll both have that Wolfman, Wald and MdC soap in our dens sooner or later.

 

[Pat Puma]

What is RAD, BAD and SAD?

Razor, Brush, and Software or Soap Acquisition Disorders.

 

[htownmmm]

simple answer- YES!

Razor Acquisition Disorder, Brush Acquisition Disorder, Soap Acquisition Disorder… don’t worry, sooner or later they’ll all catch up with you. Just let it happen.
View attachment 1880523

Someone call me?

marty

 

[Phoenix997]

Ok, so my Plisson brush is on the way finally and not even here yet and I'm already scanning their website for a new brush

They have some interesting options and I found they are very accommodating and will put high mountain white in a different handle if it's not an option on their website.

 

[Coler]

Ok, so my Plisson brush is on the way finally and not even here yet and I'm already scanning their website for a new brush

They have some interesting options and I found they are very accommodating and will put high mountain white in a different handle if it's not an option on their website.

I'll make a suggestion you try a boar brush from Omega, Semogue or Zenith.

It will be relatively inexpensive and something different for you in the shaving brush arena.

Also you will experience and enjoy breaking it in, which takes a good amount of shaves.

I have a good range of decent badger brushes including a Chubby 2 in best, the same SV as you, a limited edition Muhle Silvertip from 10 years ago, a couple of Semogue Owners' Club 2 band badgers.

Still, two of my favourites are a Zenith boar (506se) and the classic Omega 48 in a couple of different lofts/handles.

The Semogue Owners' Club boar/badger mix is also a super brush.

Don't sleep on boar! A good boar brush is really quite something.