You Ever Wanna Just Chuck It All?

I have lots of hobbies that require lots of space. I have found that my interest waxes and wanes over time. I may pack up all the stuff of a particular hobby and ignore it for a couple of years and focus on other things. Then my interest is rekindled one way or another, and I pull it all out and enjoy the hobby again, as something else gets packed up for a while. It's the ebb and flow of life I think. Instead of getting rid of everything right away, why not just pack it away for a couple of years and see if the bug bites you again! If not, you can always get rid of it then. Razors don't go bad, after all.

- Bax

 

1/3 of my fragrance collection is about to go. The rest requires a bit more decision making but there will still be cuts. It piled up fast because full bottles would be cheaper than decanted samples, in case I liked something, and except for just one (Antaeus) I wasn't buying anything really pricey. Still, a lot of it ended up redundant or just not what I wanted.

Next comes the pile of razors. Again. Once upon a time I'd never have thought I'd say this: thankfully, they aren't turning up nearly as often around here. But then again, I'm not bothering going on the hunt anymore either. I passed by a box with a Fatboy, a Slim, an old type, and three SS recently. They were a bit overpriced (accompanied by ancient barber junk) but I didn't care enough to even make an offer.

Then I'll deal with almost all of the tobacco pipes. The tobaccos won't go bad so they will be dealt with in time (I'm content with averaging 1-2 pipes per week).

Progress is progress. Onward and upward.

 

This question reminds me of a time back in 2002 when we were at a restaurant with my 2 year old son. Well he was in a mood that day and every question or even without a question he would keep saying NEVA!! NEVA!! quite enthusiastically and often. I think he got it from a peter-pan movie he watched recently. So much so that some diners walked over to our table and expressed how impressed they were with his spirit and told him so pretty much ignoring my wife and I lol. Thats right they said, never give up, never compromise your values or something similar. Do I ever feel like just chucking it all? NEVA!!!

 

I thin out things I'm not infatuated with. I'm a brush man, so I still have close to 200 brushes though I've been known to part with a razor or two.

 

thats a LOT of brushes. I thought I had alot, and just counted 21, but Ive only been at it for about 8 months now. I’ve got them all upside down on stands too which I think might be overdoing it because I never see any water dripping out of them. After I finish using them I rinse them out repeatedly giving them a gentle squeeze after each rinse. Once the water is clear , I shake it a couple times then wipe them gently vertically 5 or six times then horizontally 5 or 6 times on a towel, then swirl it a few times on the towel clockwise, then counter clockwise, then I hang it upside down on its holder.

 

I only have 10, but my sink space is quite small.

 

I was running out of sink space also so I bought a shave cabinet and store most of my stuff there now

 

Here are some of my butterscotch brushes

Butterscotch brushes

 

I love the focus

 

Do you think theres any merit in storing them upside down? I’m guessing not after viewing your fine collection, but wanted to hear it confirmed.I’ve never seen 1 drop of water drip from a brush that I put upside down in a holder so theres that.

 

"Can't store 'em upside down. Water evaporates up."
Okay, explain how a wet glass dries on the inside when set upside down on the dish drying rack.

"Can't store 'em right side up. Water will drip into the knot and cause it to get moldy and rot."
Okay, explain why I've never seen water drip down to the tips of my brush when I hang it upside down.

I've read how you dry your brush. I do the same. They're your brushes. Hang 'em your way.

 

Honestly, I use to be very concerned about that, but in reality I just rinse the knot out, give the brush a few good flicks to remove the excess water and let them air dry. They work out fine.

 

I PIF some items and sold some items. The one thing I have been working on reducing my stock of is soaps. I have been 3017 soaps regularly this year. At some point I will get it down to just my top 5 or 6 or 7.

Straights I like to keep a large rotation so I that I have a selection of sharp edges on the ready. Once enough of them hit the 4 shave mark I take some time and do a big pasted strop session. I will also let a few of the build up so I when take out the stones I can do a set of razors.