Folks, After some soul searching and exchanging some emails, I am joining Kerry @RaZorBurn123 in the No Buy 2016. Kerry hit it home for me. Just think: 1. How many times have you ordered a product because your read about it on a post? 2. How many times have you been disappointed in the acquisition? After getting it, it works the same as gear you have? 3. For soaps, same lather, glide, slickness as a soap you have. The only difference is packing and scent? 4. The wife says words to the effect, "I figured that......" 5. You check the mail box daily; check tracking numbers daily. 6. Continually pursue the gear that will satisfy the itch? To be honest, I have encountered all of these situations in the past few years. Perhaps some may think and believe I am being unreal, but, think of the above. If one applies then you need to be honest with yourself. For me, the shave forums are too enabling; not an excuse but fact. I realize that I have some very nice shave gear and that I must be satisfied with what I have. This is not to say other members should take this track but to understand why they are acquiring more gear. Honestly, an eye opener for me but may not fit for others and that is okay. Kerry...thanks.
As soon as you do, mark my words, on Feb. 29 at exactly 3:16pm someone will post on EBay, a full case of NOS Rubberset 400 brushes. Buy it now for $50.
I don't think there are rules. And what I mean by that is.. You're doing this because you want to enjoy what you already have in-house, if you need a key consumable by all means purchase it. Im certainly not going to judge you, I'm doing for the reasons I've already stated but everyone can do a version that fits ones needs. One way could be limiting spending on shaving related goods to $20 a month. Only replacing an item when one is finished. Whatever your comfort level is. And of course not at all. I'm doing this for me. Not to save money, but for peace of mind.
Btw. My son is here right now and told me he's buying me a razor for Christmas. So again, no rules. Have fun, shave on!
As for the reason why I am doing a No Buy 2016, it is really very simple. I love wet shaving with a DE. It took me some time, but I found my perfect DE/blade combination. I experimented with many of each but I settled on the Gillette Heavy Tech and Astra SP. I doubt I will find a better combo. As for soaps/creams, yes, I have gone hog wild with trying many and I realized after a while that there is a plethora of amazing products on the market. But after all is said and done, after the acquisition and testing phase is passed the real joy is lathering up and having a great shave. I am going to use and enjoy what I have. I hope to reduce my herd to just a few and just enjoy perfecting my technique. In life I have found that sometimes I enjoy things more when I have less than when I am overwhelmed by more and more. As they say, sometimes less is more. Maybe by the end of all this I will only have 5 soaps on my shelf. Stranger things have happened! I am looking forward to the No Buy 2016 journey.
I like this concept. I'll join in. Like Kerry, I'm the supply house for my sons, but they are growing hipster urban lumberjack beards, so my stock of blades is not depleting as rapidly. I purchased a couple of razors, a brush and a bottle of aftershave. I still have a lot of soap and likely won't need to purchase any until well into 2018. I appreciate the nod toward the flexibility of purchasing needed consumables.
I like the concept of enjoying what you have. I do have one major purchase planned for next year. I want to order a 2nd Wolfman razor when they are accepting orders again. I am participating with that purchase in mind and will replace consumables as I use them up.
I'll join in too. No guarantee that I'll make it through the year, but I'll try. The reason why I'm doing this is because I have both good razors and great razors in my den. The posts on this forum has given me the info I needed to make intelligent decisions on my purchases. I've yet to be disappointed with any of my razor and soap purchases. You guys have been a great resource. One of the deciding factors, besides my wife getting on my case, is that I have so many fantastic razors and not enough shaves to really appreciate them. So, though I love the thrill of the search and purchase, I don't want to forget the reason why I'm chasing these babies down. Key to me is that you need to take the time to enjoy what you have. That goes for most everything in life!
After further thought, I think I'll try to join in. If I need something, I'll have my wife buy it. I know, I know, it's a technicality but that's how it will have to be. Got plenty of blades, razors, brushes, a/s & colognes, lots of Williams SS so what more can I ask for?
For me it's controlling my buying habits and not letting them control me. Do I need that razor that just caught my eye and the price is right, or are there other priorities with my purchases? Now controlling my extreme fragrance AD is the challenge. Lord help me. ... To be continued... Don
Let the games be afoot! Damn the torpedoes and full steam ahead! I say ole boy, it's no buy 2016 or bust! And hopefully it's not bust. I know we can do it. Yes, we may be nuts, but we are resolute and determined...and even if we fail on the 2nd of January, they can't say we didn't try. What is one year without a shave related purchase? Actually, let's see it in its positive light...it is one year revelling in the pleasure of all the products we have accumulated to date!
In my defense, I was identified earlier on this thread as a Buddhist, in addition to nuts. Just saying...
