Why So Many Brushes?

[Lane101]

When it comes to hardware and brushes I've focused on just what's needed to provide my desired range of utility. For me it's three brushes, two synthetics that I rotate so they are completely dry when used and a boar for my hardest soaps. Same for razors where my three are all I need to provide my desired range of mild to mid-range aggressiveness.

Regarding soaps an creams I've gone a bit broader with around a dozen different soaps, some custom blends and four creams that I rotate between. These are commercial products such as Mitchell's Wool Fat, Tabac, Cyril R. Salter, D.R. Harris, Proraso, Arko and Williams soaps and two creams each from Cyril R. Salter and LEA. When I've found something I like I've purchased backup stock for my hard soaps especially tallow based products like Williams and MWF. Up to just one back up for my creams as the shelf-lives are shorter. The variety from my soaps and creams makes this hobby more interesting.

I rotate among three "primary" soaps in open shaving mugs (currently Razorock What-the-Puck Black, Tabac and a custom blend) and roughly once a week use a different secondary soap or cream kept in resealable containers. When I 3017 a primary one of the secondaries takes its place.

Narrow and deep for my blades with good inventory of three brands including Dorco, Astra and Derby. Likely have soap and blades to last a decade or more.

 

[DesertIguana]

As I browse the forums here, I often see collections or references to large numbers of brushes in people's shave dens (and I'm envious!). Sometimes the differences in the brushes are vast -- high versus low loft, wide versus narrow diameter, and stiff/scratchy material versus pliable/soft.... However, sometimes the differences are minor and nuanced (to me, at least). For example, I sometimes see a progression of brushes that look like Russian nesting dolls - each one is only slightly larger or taller than the next.

I'm curious -- and I ask with the utmost respect -- if you have an assortment like this, what led you to choose brushes that seem (again, to me) so similar? What made you seek out a loft that is just 2mm taller than the last brush you acquired? (And, once they are in your den, do you then say, "I feel like the Duke 3 tonight!" or "Given the day ahead, I need the Mondial Heritage?")

I may be naive in my question and I know it basically boils down to personal preference (bless us all!), but I look forward to reading about how and why you built your collection as you did. Thank you in advance!

Collecting shave gear is hobby, addiction, and cheaper then other hobbies.

Some people are in search of GRAIL BRUSG, others are one brush person.

 

[nav]

In total, I've used over 120 brushes since 2008.

My highest number at any one time was in 2019, where I had about 70.

Now, I have only 6 (3 boar, 2 badger, 1 synth)!
Why? Because I became very particular with what I like and what works best for me.

I went off synth for the most part as dislike the cotton ball softness. My one synth is an old v1 STF which actually feels & behaves very much like a badger brush!

(I went down the same path with razors, now only having the blackbird and progress, with BIC CP being my blade of choice)

I've ridden the hobby wave but now feel very content with what I've settled on.

 

[Lane101]

I don't have a lot of brushes by B&B standards, maybe a dozen... I bought a few in different configurations to figure out what I liked. I bought a couple more once I figured out what I liked. I bought a couple just because they were pretty. As it turns out, I like most of them, for different reasons, so I'm glad to have variety.

My guess is that the perception of B&B standards is likely skewed because those with larger brush collections are more likely to post on this topic than those of with just one or two brushes. Collectors will by nature be more interested in the topic and want to share thoughts with fellow B&Bers with similar interests. Shavers who just see their single boar brush as a utilitarian tool are unlikely to post a lot on the topic until it's time for ideas on a new replacement brush.

 

[Alexland]

I don't get the brush collecting thing either. With RAD each razor feels different, is suited to different cutting tasks and you can have fun with different blade combinations but with brushes they are either good or bad and as long as you have a good one in service that's ok. I don't see the need to rotate them just keep a few good ones in stock for the future. Same with shave bowls.

 

[Edgelord]

I have 11, and I probably could get rid of 3-4 of them.

I have a Rooney silvertip coming Monday.

I keep the number of containers of soaps and creams down by making myself find 1930’s-1950’s shaving soap bowls for them (mostly Bakelite). You see them pretty regularly in the “what razor/blade” thread. I have a couple (Northern Elixir and Hendrix Peppermint) still in their factory containers… so, I need to find some more vintage shaving soap bowls…

Razors… oh boy… I have been wet shaving for about 6 months, and already have about 40 razors…

It is the cheapest hobby that I ever had, and doesn’t take up too much space…

No regerts.

I want to start looking for vintage straight razors next…

 

[musicman1951]

I'm pretty sure one of the requirements for being on the forum is spending a lot of money. I haven't been asked for receipts yet, but I do try and do my part.

Aside from the joy of collecting (anything), which I'm glad to report I don't often find myself infected (truth be told I always find myself infected upon first glance, but can usually hold off long enough for the desire to pass) I have amassed about 20 brushes. It probably will not surprise you to read that all my decisions were well made, bordering on brilliant - but the reality didn't always match the expectation.

How's this for a twist - I re-joined the wet shaving ranks because of my son. You wouldn't like him, I'm pretty sure he still has only the first brush and razor he purchased. But I digress: I took his recommendation for my first brush and it was a beautiful Parker silvertip badger the size of a watermelon with the backbone of overcooked pasta. What did I know? Not much.

And that pretty much explains how I ended up with 14 brushes I virtually never use. Some were too floppy, some to scrtchy, one was too stinky, some were too small. But each purchase increased my understanding of the characteristics of a brush I would love, and I have ended up with one of my three shelves of brushes filled with spectacular brushes. Would you love them? Ahhhh, there's the rub. You have to go on your own journey.

Unless you're one of those lucky $^%** that thinks their first brush got the job done and why look for another. As always, do what makes you happy. I seem to remember one member who has about 5 Wald A1 brushes in different colors. Hey, if you've got the $$ and you like brushes that are also works of art why not? You only go around once.

 

[BobbyB]

Being a minimalist, my two Noble Otter brushes--one for Cube 2.0 prep, the other for lathering--both serve me well. No need for any others.

 

[Phoenixkh]

I like odd numbers... I have no idea why.... I just sold a wonderful Mozingo 28mm fan with a lovely Rudy Vey handle... It was just too big for me... That left me with 4 brushes for shave lather and 3 for pre-shave applications.... I promptly bought another SV 2.0 brush in a wood I admired but didn't own... It won't get here for a week or two, but then I'll be back to 5 and 3. <eg>

 

[Jens]

curiosity, chasing perfection.
As for soaps, I found it. I am down to 2 or 3 in my regular rotation. (and several boxes of soap I never use anymore).
As for DE razors, down to a handful in my regular rotation, down from many more.
But brushes .... well, I have narrowed it down to "primarily boars" by now, but I have many boars I change between, and still get new ones. Same with DE blades and aftershaves ... and even alum blocks ....
And as for straight razors and hones, I have a long way to go still before I will have found my chosen few ....