What's Your Best Shaving Related Find or Discovery of 2015?

TSD for the friendly members and suggestions on being perhaps more creative with shaving than I have been(within budgetary means that is). Glad I found Rise too, which as I said in another post should last me until my college freshman nephew flips his cap into the air and gets out into the world. Then, with the cap-flip, I'll just make another order out!!!

 

Razor: Mongoose
Soap: Gingers Garden
Brush: RazoRock Plissoft
Aftershave: Myrsol F/Extra
Shaving Forum: The Shave Den

 

Strop Shoppe shaving soaps

L'Occitane Cade shave balm

 

For me it was not a thing, it was a realization:

Don't believe the Hype

I've spent hundreds of Euros this year just to eventually get THE best soap, THE best blade, THE Uber Razor. Bought the Plisson Synthi - sold it. Bought the much-loved Stirling Kong - sold it. Bought quite a few razors which I rarely use. During the NOVember challenge I suddenly realized: With the proper technique I get great shaves from my very first razor, the Mühle R89. I don't have to have more than 3 or 4 blade brands to choose from and the first soaps/creams I got (Taylor, D.R. Harris and Cella) are still pretty much my favorites.

Okay - there IS actually one piece of software I have to highlight: the La Toja stick is just awesome - fantastic performance for a fantastic price and I have already ordered 3 Sticks from a spanish vendor.

So it won't be exactly a NoBuy 2016 for me, but a MuchLessBuy nonetheless. I'll try to order an AlumiGoose and maybe one REALLY nice and high-quality badger brush (Shavemac or Simpson), but that should be all.

And I will thin the herd and sell/give away stuff I rarely use. It won't actually come down to "one man, one rifle", but I'll just keep the stuff I like best.

 

Razor: Mongoose
Brush: The Varlet Beehive
Soap: MDC Fougere'
Aftershave: Fine - Platinum
Moisturizer: Whipped Shea Butter

 

Best finds in 2015? Let me list them (in no particular order):

1. The Shave Den. I respectfully tip my top hat to all of you on this fine forum...you have welcomed me and never once did you question whether I look like my avatar;
2. The Gillette Heavy Tech...the closest thing to shaving perfection;
3. Proraso pre/post Shave Cream and Noxema cream. Goodbye preshave oil...hello preshave cream! It has made a world of difference in my morning shave. Awesome stuff!

 

Wait....you don't look like your avatar?

 

Actually...now that you mention it...I do!

 

Gillette President for $36.

 

Gillette 7 O'Clock Super Platinum blades and Cella.