After having been into this DE arena for over a year now, I openly admit that AD is all part of the fun in it. While being curious about different soaps and creams and a desire to try every Badger brush and razor available, I have to admit that my weakness is the vast array of scents. I am a rank amateur compared to many other members, but have still managed to amass quite a collection of After shaves and a few colognes. After reading the reviews on here and on B&B, my mind swirls like a kid at Christmas when thinking of my next scent purchase. So, what is your bane?
After trying dozens of different razors... and lusting after others (I'm looking at you Rodd!), I've finally managed to settle down with one razor.... I know I know.. But that's just it, The Gillette NEW short comb is perfect for me! I've tried differnet blades and it turns out the Red Personna is my favourite followed by the Derby Extra... both of which I bought in bulk! I have a 5 year supply of blades right now! After lusting after various brushes and then acquiring a few, It turns out my favourite brush (and theoretically the only brush I need) is the humble C&E Best Badger! After buying a hideous amount of various shave creams, I've recently discovered the joys of shave soaps... now the acquiring begins in earnest.. and surprise surprise the soap I've have falling in love with is none other than the humble VDH Select Shave Soap! So then what is my weakness? I still troll the isles of every store looking for more of any of the above! All logic has told me that I have all I need, yet there I am am, lurking, looking, lusting over razors, blades, creams, soaps, brushes! Make it stop!
I wasn't bit nearly as hard as most by the AD bugs. I did go through a thing with samples early on. Had the same try every blade I can buy time as most everyone. Now, I have a dozen razors, five brushes (3 boar, 2 badger), ~400 blades, 6 soaps, 1 cream, and 5-8 aftershaves (depends on if counting samples and last few drops). The only part of that I really have any desire to expand is the soaps/creams. I do want to replenish the AS as it gets used and maintain a little variety. But really, the one place where I still have curiosity about products is soap/cream.
:signs097 Right now, I'm into str8s as far as curiosity goes. I have my wannas in this department but luckily they are prohibitively expensive so I have no choice but to dabble in the used/antiquated stuff. I truly have a weakness for menthol. I really have so very little interest in non mentholated stuff so for the few items I have I just add my own. Friggin AV wasn't cold enough even so I had to boost it to an acceptable level. So other than anything menthol, A Filly DobleTemple (or the duras) all I have left to tempt me is an Omega or Semogue boar brush. I have a leash on almost all other ADs at the moment. I'm almost as happy as I could be with respect to shaving.
I got hit with soaps hard. Although I do have multiple's of some. razors was next and some need to go. Aftershaves and cologne's I don't have to many. Also 4 brushes isn't that much lol.
Have you smelled any of the C&E soaps? I find the good triple-milled soaps to offer great glide and cushion. I have C&E's "Nomad" and it's great. Very slow to wear off and a nice wooden bowl.
I have both Nomad and Sandalwood! They are fantastic... all I'm saying is, if the $1.50 VDH select is all I could have... I'd be happy! I'm TRYING to calm down with shaving gear... trying to tell myself that I have all that I need... This is the problem with an addictive personality like mine... If a little is good, more must be better!
I have went through all the AD's. The one thing that I still do look for though is colognes. I just cannot seem to get enough.
I had been hit hard by RAD - I still have over 50 razors I think. A touch of brush acquisition. I picked up a lot of soaps and a few creams. So I guess razors were my big weakness. However, thanks to fountain pen acquisition disorders, I have been able to cut back on razor purchases.
For me purchasing shave goods of any kind is a weakness. I find myself too interested in vendor catalogs, composing wish lists, window shopping , much time looking for shaving bargains on ebay . There is just something child like exciting about the box of shave goods coming to the house. Another boring mundane day filled with worry and anxiety can be redeemed when my mail man hands me a box.
I must agree totally with the anticipation of the "package" finally arriving in the mail, whether it's soaps, razors, brushes or AS/colognes. The biggest detriment is the cost of shipping. Find a great bargain or a reasonable price then add the cost of shipping and the great deal turns into an ok deal. But, that being part of the game, it's acceptable, IMHO.
