How many brushes?

Here's a thread I started on a forum. It says it all!

How many brushes?

Acquisitions

When you become interested in this shaving business one of the hardest things to do is resist spending. Particularly if you are a regular on the forums. Endless discussions about razors, blades, soaps, creams, after shaves, preshaves, strops, hones... On it goes. Someone raves about something and the next thing you know, another package has arrived from the postman. I'm no exception.

Well I think I am just about there with my acquisitions.

Once the Art of Shaving Sandalwood Soap, T & H Rose cream pot, DR Harris Marlborough soap, Tabac refills, new Semogue limited edition and Vulfix 404 brushes arrive.

And then there's Christmas to come!

Absolutely no spending in the new year!

DE Razors - the survivors.

I'm now down to:

Merkur 38C in red
Gillette Superspeed (1940s)

And my favourite:

Edwin Jagger DE87 (with 2009 Jagger/Muhle head)

I use it now all the time, alternating between red personna and Gillette super thin and Crystal Platinum blades.

Allergic to eShave Almond!

This wonderful cream that produces a superb lather from a tiny amount of product sadly is not for me.

 I came out in a hot red rash. Classic symptom of an allergic reaction. First time for everything!

Martin de Candre

18 more days! It's sitting awaiting wrapping. Not too long now.

Guess what Fido's got for Christmas.

Coate's Shaving Cream

I'd never heard of Coate's until I read this:

Street Level

Then I discovered some available here

Grooming Health

Now have the Sandalwood and the Limes.

Is this a case of CAD?

Pre shave preparation

We all agree that before shaving it is essential to do some preparation before applying the lather we shave with.

But what preparation is really needed?

I have tried or experienced several pre shave routines:

Hot shower before shaving.

Hot wet towel or flannel.

Pre shave products - simple home made oil mixture, pre shave oil, hot face mask - and there are plenty of others.

Lather/hot towel/rinsing before application of the lather used for the first pass.

And then applying lather can be done quickly or at length, using painting or circular movements or both.

At minimum, we can simply wash the face with hot water and soap, rinse, then quickly apply lather.

Having tried several approaches, I have found little difference between them as far as the end result is concerned. Certainly nothing that justifies the time and expense that can be involved. So in my opinion, a thorough wash with soap and hot water and a good rinse is all that is really needed.

But!  As with all things for shaving aficionados, it is not about need and efficiency and cost justification. It is about enjoying a bit of personal pampering, indulgence and fun.

So I will continue to use up my pre shave oils, hot mask treatment, get out the hot towel and generally indulge myself, when I have the time. But if like yesterday, I need to be off in a hurry, its a quick wash,   face lathering, a couple of passes and I'm off. With a nice smooth and comfortable skin.

Other opinions?


Here are some:


TSR