I've been looking at what to clean out. I have a little over 30 creams and soaps right now. Thinking of either getting rid of some or just using till they are thinned down. So tough letting go. Haha
Yeah....for some reason they are easy to buy and difficult with which to rid. I looked at the reality of the situation and realized I simply had too many soaps laying around. So...the PIFs. I an glad to be rid of the soaps and enjoy the "newbies" are getting to try some new soaps.
I'm at the same point. I started this month going through and seeing what I like and want to keep. I'd like to narrow it down to something like you have. But only 3 classes. Classics (exp. MWF, Cella...), Creams, and Artisans. I'm thinking 4 of cheap. But dang that would be tough. Haha
I guess I don't understand the motivation? Are you running out of room? Why deny yourself the variety? What happens if you go broke, right after paring down? In short order you will become a shaggy bum, possibly drinking cheap alcoholic beverages from a brown paper bag, while sitting on a curb somewhere... You would smell badly, and people would walk around you, muttering nasty comments.... And all this because you "pared down." Doesn't seem worth the risk to me...
Wow, I thought that I had a few and I have eight different soaps plus a few different samples in small paper baggies!
Those of y'all with a bunch of soaps, do you make a point of rotating through (like @Redrock indicated) or do you find yourself using the same couple of soaps all the time? If you find yourself using just a few soaps more than others, is it more a matter of smell for a certain time of year or the comfort/closeness/quality of the shave that makes you stay with a few over the rest in the inventory? As for my inventory, it is just beginning. I have samples of 7 Stirling soaps (Glacial Lemon Chill, MITA, Gin and Tonic, Sharp Dressed Man, Executive Man, Spice and Coniferous). I only ordered 6 and Rod threw in the Coniferous which was very nice of him. I also have the VDH Deluxe Puck. My plan is to rotate fairly frequently, but I can already see myself using a couple of them more in the summer than others (Glacial Lemon and MITA will get much more use than Coniferous or spice most likely).
I rotate my stash, but I don't have that many, probably around 12. I like variety, but I don't buy for the sake of buying.
I have a very flexible rotation. My morning shave----Usually next in rotation, if yesterday's shave was exceptional I may repeat, if I didn't have a great shave- I may pull out an old favorite. The next day will probably be the next soap or cream in rotation. This allows some resemblance of order as I work my way through the rotation.
For 25+ years I used three: Williams, Nivea Original and Aveeno Gel. Since my rebirth I now have about 15 soaps/creams...and I am enjoying the variety very much...
I also enjoy the variety of many soaps. I have a lot of samples which I would highly recommend (from companies that sell samples of course) but there are so many great choices that I rarely run into one that I don't like. If there is a problem it is usually irritation from the fragrance. The reason I started wet shaving is because I found out about the different scented shaving soaps. This adds a calming element to an otherwise busy day.
