Ok Poppi,you hooked me up with this.I have decided that Im gonna use the same gear(but the brush) for at least a week.This is the gear that I have chosen: Soap:Wilkinson shave stick.Tallow based with lanolin on it and ten times cheaper than MWF. Brush:this is where Im gonna use two options,both Semogues boar brushes. SE:GEM Micromatic open comb.Lets go for a really, really, really close shave. Blade:Ted Pella Blade.Ill change it at its 4th use but I will see If I can shave with it for a week straight(maybe with the help of my Kriss Kross sharpener or hand stropping) AS:Its really hot here and Aqua Velva Ice blue sounds just perfect. So Im gonna be faithful to this gear for this week to come and see if I really need so much stuff as I have now.This is gonna help me to simplify my shave den and use what I really like and need.
Have you thought about getting a tub basket/table*? They go over the top of the tub you could set a stand mirror on it and shave there, just an idea. *as seen here http://walkingthefringe.blogspot.com/2007/05/bathtub-reading-table.html
I'll give this a go too! My pick for this week, starting today: Razor: Merkur Futur Blade: Gillette Super Thin (today's was a fresh blade, will change every 3 shaves) Brush: Vulfix #404 Soap: Omega SS I don't really use aftershave, but I plan to rotate between a few EDTs (don't think I'll improve my "technique" much by sticking to a single one). Let's see how this works out.
Staying with the same setup will help your shaves. It did for me, I'm just to fickled to do it for more than one week at a time.
Poppi, I've been away from home for almost a month so I have been using the same set-up all that time. While I used some of my favorite blades, soap, razor, and brush I cannot wait to get home to change what I have been using. The soap I took with me is one of my all-time favorites, Pre de Provence. It will certainly remain in my rotation but that's just what I want, a rotation. I definitely agree with you that one really gets to know the nuances of the gear that is being used (especially the soap or cream) but, except for travel, I say thank goodness for variety!
Well,its my second day with the same gear(but the blade) and it seems that tomorrow would be the 3rd.Ill see where I can get with La Toja SC,the GEM featherweight and La Toja ASB.
Teiste, There are certainly advantages to sticking with one setup; it's less expensive and you get to fine-tune your shave, just to name two. However, one of the things, for me, that turned shaving from a daily chore to a pleasure was the incredible variety of scents of the soaps and creams, types of razors and blades, and (thanks to you ) the types of brushes. Even the quality of my shave can vary. I like that. As Poppi so rightly points out, sticking with one setup really lets you perfect what you are doing. However, after a month of the same gear, I am really ready for a change! (I can't wait to try that Semogue with the La Toja shave stick [after taking Matt's and your advice on breaking in the brush].) I know you can hold out for a week with one set of stuff but I bet you'll be happy to go back to the variety of the gear you have. As always, just have fun.
Freddy;The funny thing is that for 8 years I have been only use one brush,cream or soap and cartridge razor and wait until the cream or soap got finished.Soaps used to last me like 2 months and creams a little bit over.But on january I joined the wet shaving forums and I did develop a lot of ADs.Now I have enough soaps and creams to give them away to my grandkids or great grandkids.Well,as I have expressed before I should simplify,but Its being hard for me...to many good options....
I would say that simplification would be good "IF" there were not such a plethora of shaving goods to be sampled. I was faithful for one week because I just wanted to do it. Truth is that I'm a shave slut. I like to try different soaps/creams/brushes/blades/etc. It's so much fun as freddy88 stated. And life is to short not to have fun daily.
:happy102 :happy102 :happy102 :happy102 :happy102 +1 I think this place is full of 'em! That's what I really like, the variety. However, I think sticking to one set up is a great idea for newbs for the consistency.
Guess I have to bow out of this. Not sure if it's the Omega SS, but my skin became really dry and flaky. Ah well, three days! I'll be back soon enough.
