Hey guys, I have another question. I was wondering how you guys arrange your rotation, but most importantly WHY your rotation is the way it is? I don't necessarily want to know what is in your rotation, since I know there are multiple threads on that. But how often do you rotate your soaps/creams? why do you rotate, etc.
I've been through the try it out phase and would still like to be in that phase but I'm accumulating too much stuff. Don't get me wrong, it's stuff I like and enjoy so I'm going to start working my way through some product. So right now my rotation is as basic as it gets... Speick cream until it's annihilated. The first victim of the Cream Annihilation Project.
I need a normal rotation.....usually I wake up and use what I feel like.....usually bigelow or my williams...or conk.......Cream annihilation sounds like an awesome project!! Iv become way more fond of soaps and would like to use up most my creams....however dont get me wrong id still like to have a few creams on hand for when I get that wild hair (co bigelow and omega and razorock xxx..... but right now I have too many creams for my liking.....and I only have like 7 pucks of soap to work on lol but I have more creams...Ihonestly have no idea why I got it all at once lol.....but none the less its been a good shave journey thus far.....my next journey will be into the mighty world of blades as I have not ventured out much at all on that aspect of shaving.
Most people probably get into it accidentally. You buy three, ten, maybe twenty different products before it really strikes you how much you've accumulated. Most are at least adequate, so you don't want to waste them. I've been using mine for at least a week at a time for a while. Just started the fourteenth that I've done this way, a quite undistinguished soap called Kingsley. Not even sure why I bought it. The lather was just barely adequate this morning, but if I give it a week, I'll probably be doing about as well with it as is possible. That's been the reason for giving all these soaps a week. I often find that I like them better on the seventh straight shave than I did on the first. Just to be clear, these were all soaps that I'd used before, but I'd been using a different one almost every day. The long term goal, I suppose, is to get down to between three and five soaps, but it's going to take awhile. A little variety will always be fun.
I have nine stacks of soap, four or five in each stack, all lined up. I just use the first one in line, then it goes to the end. Why? I like the variety. I use creams of Monday. Only about 5 of those. Kinda works out to what I feel like that morning with those. <shrug>
My rotation is a balance between consistency and variety. For consistency I use a blade every day in the same razor until done (usually 3 shaves), and use the same razor for at least 2 blade change-outs if the blades are different. Keeping this level of consistency I have found minimizes Hamburger Neck and other errors. Soaps are my daily variety play: I keep 4 bowls running with specific brushes paired to each. I rotate between the soaps daily, but not in the same absolute order. I too am focusing on using up the old blade stash, especially those that have no great fit.
I was using a different product daily, but for 2012 I decided to use only one product per week. It uses it faster and I'll really get to know the soap/cream better because of it.
For razors and blades, I tend to load a razor and use it until the blade is done. I use them, rinse the razor, and repeat until done. No stropping or switching between razors. For Soaps and Cream, I go through phases. Sometimes I will switch every day. Sometimes I use the same product for months on end. No hard and fast rules other then getting a high quality enjoyable shave.
I usually use a different soap/cream everyday without any sort of a set rotation, I may grab an item because I read about on here and that sparks a desire to use it. About the only time I use something multiple days in a row is if it is a new to me product.
For DEs, same blade - different razor Monday-Friday; fresh blade in on Monday, toss after Friday's shave. Saturday str8s, I rotate through my 5. Sunday SEs - fresh blade in on the first Sunday of the month, use, move blade to different razor, toss after last Sunday of the month shave. Aftershaves and/or balms, what ever I think will go well with the soap I've used.
I have a very mundane job and get quite a bit off time off as well, so I have plenty of time to think what my next shave shall be, there is not set rotation plans the only thing i know is the the blade the rest just falls into place next shave will be a cream so I can use my scuttle dont know which yet
My rotation changes from month to month. On razors I pick 6 out for the month and that's what I use. I always have a finishing razor in the rack. (either a Lord L6, Gillette Tech, or Red Tip) These are my ATG and buffing razors. I will use one blade in a razor till it's done. As for soaps my rotation consists of 6 due to the fact I have 6 vintage mugs I use. I may change out the soap brand when finished. If it doesn't live up to expectations. Creams, I open up one and use it till finished. I absolutely hate having having multiple creams open. I've found that even bad creams can be combined with soap for awesome Uber-Lather. A great thing to note is that I have hard well water, so I have the advantage of using more product. I also theme out the rotations, One month I'll only use SS, next month rare razors, next month adjustable, next only S/E's, I'm always working off a theme to keep it more interesting. I also do the same with brushes.
I use a different brush each day. I choose a razor and load it with a blade, I use that razor/blade combo for three to four days and change both. Soaps and creams whatever I chose for that day. My brush rotation is exact, boar, badger, boar mix, badger. My razor blade selection is based upon the razor, I have found that certain razors work best with certain blades. I enjoy using a variety soaps/creams that is part of the fun of classic wet shaving.
all of my shave stuff is in my bathroom....i dont have any order what so ever....i go in when i need to shave and pick out my brush soap and razor based on my mood and how i feel about it....this has worked great for me always
Up tp this point it was very simple. I have one brush, one bar of soap, one razor. Sample pack of blades. That's it! So I only change the brand of blade after it is used. But now I have laid my hands on a Rolls Razor. Had my first shave this morning. Smooth! I think I will keep the DE for the weekdays and the Rolls for the weekends until I'm more comfortable with it. And as there will be more soaps, brushes and razors heading this way in time (I hope!) I guess I'll rotate each week or so.
