I recently posted a similar poll in the brush forum and there was a strong consensus there. But this question is more general, covering any and all products you may use.
I know many of us seem to be on this sort of quest to find "the best". Eventually, most folks come to understand this is all about personal preference. But given that, after you've tried a wide variety, you find something that is just "you". The scent, the handle, the feel, the result, whatever applies, it is exactly what you enjoy most.
So do you stay (even mostly) with the best you've found? Or do you prefer the variety of the rotation or maybe changing off regularly keeps your perfect find more "special"?
Just curious because I used to think I was a "variety is nice", kind of guy. And it is. And I'd tried enough things I'd come to the conclusion that there is nothing "perfect". One thing is better in one way, but lacking somewhere else. But these days, I'm finding myself settling into a series of things that, if I don't choose them, I just don't enjoy the shave as much. It's usually fine. Sometimes, really good. But I'm just happier using my favorite items.
They are in my sig but to expound...
I've tried straights, a feather AC, 5-6 DEs (and, of course, electrics and carts, back in the day). Once I tried a Feather AS, I never looked back. Haven't touched another razor since. I may someday, but I love the shave I get every single day with this razor.
Blades. Tried a dozen or so. Thought I might settle on Feathers but they are just a touch harsh for me. Once I tried Med Prep Personas... This is my blade. Smooth, comfortable, close, sharp... Really really nice.
Soap, I must own 30 different soaps. Almost all of them are good to great. But nothing matches AOS, for me. If I'm not using it, I want to be. So why use anything else? I like the scents. I love the performance. It leaves my face feeling amazing.
Brush, this was my most recent decision. Like soaps, I own a wide variety of brushes from many of the top names we all know. I've come to the understanding I like larger brushes. Initially I decided on larger knots. Later, I decided on taller lofts as well. Two of my early brushes actually met these requirements, the BLK12 and Shavemac 227XXL. But the Kent isn't quite stiff enough for the size and the Shavemac is a touch "clunky" so I kept looking. Recently I found a Polo 14 on BST (thanks Mike!) and I think my brush search is over. The size, the feel, the handle, the lather. It's one amazing brush. I really don't ever want to use anything else.
AS splash/ASB, haven't really settled on anything here (and I may never, I pick them based mostly on my mood that day) but 90% of the time it's something from Pinaud followed by an AOS balm. That combination offers a variety of scents and leaves my skin clean and smooth/soft.
So where are you in your journey? If you find a perfect thing (not just good, but WAY better than anything else you've ever tried) do you still keep using your other things too? Or do they rarely see the light of day?
I'm going to give this combination 6 mo to a year but given how I feel right now, there may be a lot of things showing up on BST after that
. I mean, just because they aren't my favorites, doesn't mean they won't be yours, right?
Ken
I know many of us seem to be on this sort of quest to find "the best". Eventually, most folks come to understand this is all about personal preference. But given that, after you've tried a wide variety, you find something that is just "you". The scent, the handle, the feel, the result, whatever applies, it is exactly what you enjoy most.
So do you stay (even mostly) with the best you've found? Or do you prefer the variety of the rotation or maybe changing off regularly keeps your perfect find more "special"?
Just curious because I used to think I was a "variety is nice", kind of guy. And it is. And I'd tried enough things I'd come to the conclusion that there is nothing "perfect". One thing is better in one way, but lacking somewhere else. But these days, I'm finding myself settling into a series of things that, if I don't choose them, I just don't enjoy the shave as much. It's usually fine. Sometimes, really good. But I'm just happier using my favorite items.
They are in my sig but to expound...
I've tried straights, a feather AC, 5-6 DEs (and, of course, electrics and carts, back in the day). Once I tried a Feather AS, I never looked back. Haven't touched another razor since. I may someday, but I love the shave I get every single day with this razor.
Blades. Tried a dozen or so. Thought I might settle on Feathers but they are just a touch harsh for me. Once I tried Med Prep Personas... This is my blade. Smooth, comfortable, close, sharp... Really really nice.
Soap, I must own 30 different soaps. Almost all of them are good to great. But nothing matches AOS, for me. If I'm not using it, I want to be. So why use anything else? I like the scents. I love the performance. It leaves my face feeling amazing.
Brush, this was my most recent decision. Like soaps, I own a wide variety of brushes from many of the top names we all know. I've come to the understanding I like larger brushes. Initially I decided on larger knots. Later, I decided on taller lofts as well. Two of my early brushes actually met these requirements, the BLK12 and Shavemac 227XXL. But the Kent isn't quite stiff enough for the size and the Shavemac is a touch "clunky" so I kept looking. Recently I found a Polo 14 on BST (thanks Mike!) and I think my brush search is over. The size, the feel, the handle, the lather. It's one amazing brush. I really don't ever want to use anything else.
AS splash/ASB, haven't really settled on anything here (and I may never, I pick them based mostly on my mood that day) but 90% of the time it's something from Pinaud followed by an AOS balm. That combination offers a variety of scents and leaves my skin clean and smooth/soft.
So where are you in your journey? If you find a perfect thing (not just good, but WAY better than anything else you've ever tried) do you still keep using your other things too? Or do they rarely see the light of day?
I'm going to give this combination 6 mo to a year but given how I feel right now, there may be a lot of things showing up on BST after that
. I mean, just because they aren't my favorites, doesn't mean they won't be yours, right?Ken
). This way, I don't feel like I'm missing out on a companies offerings while getting to use things from T&H, ToBS, DR Harris, Penhaligon's, Mitchell's, Simpson, Rooney, and Shavemac with out feeling like I have 10 years worth of product laying around.
