Why rotate?

[BazC]

I've read lots of threads on here where people talk about rotating razors, blades, soaps/creams, brushes - pretty much everything you can think of. Is there a practical reason for this or is it simply for variety?

[xraygun]

Fun.

[michiganlover]

It's mostly because variety is the spice of life.

Sure you could make do with one brush, one razor, one shaving soap/ shaving cream, one aftershave, and one cologne, but most of us think that is rather boring.

Many of us have turned the daily shave into a hobby, rather than simply a chore that has to be completed.

[Osborn Cox]

Do you want the real answer or the one I tell my wife? ;)

[SmoovD]

Many of us have too much stuff. Some try to use one product until it is gone, others like the variety of well stocked den. Once your technique is down, there is very little to risk by switching things up a bit.

I rotate a rotation of soaps and creams. Try to keep 10-12 soaps and 5-6 creams out at one time depending on the weather, my mood, what is new in the den, etc. Last weekend I brought out the menthol for the coming warmer weather. As far as razors, I am down to maybe 5-6 in use with the remaining stored away. Aftershaves and fragrances are the two things that I do not rotate. I keep all of them out all of the time.

[BazC]

Hehe I figured it was to excuse your huge collections of shaving paraphernalia to your partners! "No honestly, if I use a different brush every day it avoids bacterial build up and possible infection. It's true really!"

Nah I know what you mean, I've only be at this week and I already have four razors, it's a disease I reckon!

[Frosty]

It's the only way to justify the acquisition disorder!

[the_edski]

Agreed!


It's the only way to justify the acquisition disorder!

[pdillon]

The only practical reason I have heard (and I can't vouch whether it's true or not) is for rotating brushes to let them dry out completely between uses.

The 3017 thread in the shaving soap forum has some examples where NOT rotating has brought about some revelations about the continued use of a single product.

IMHO, it's important for BEGINNERS not to rotate so as to minimize variations while learning technique. Find a product where you can make a good lather and then stick with the same razor for a month or two or six until you can get consistently good shaves.

[PugslyCat]

It's the only way to justify the acquisition disorder!
+1 - That's mostly what it's about. Why have all the toys if you don't get them out to play with them from time to time.

Another reason, at least one that we tell ourselves, is that we are looking for that combination of shave components that allows us to create the perfect shave. I know that's bunk because once we find that perfect combination we immediately turn to finding the next perfect combination.

[BazC]

IMHO, it's important for BEGINNERS not to rotate so as to minimize variations while learning technique. Find a product where you can make a good lather and then stick with the same razor for a month or two or six until you can get consistently good shaves.

Yes I can see the logic of that. I'm new to DE shaving (1 week) but had planned to change a couple of things. I'm currently using a Palmolive stick but intend getting some Mitchells Wool Fat since I discovered it's sold in a shop very nearby. Assuming I can get a decent lather from it I would then stay with that for a while. Then I was going to get a selection pack of blades and see which ones I like. I've only tried Wilkinson Sword so far and I'm quite happy with those, do you think I would be better off sticking to the Wilkinsons for a while before experimenting with different blades?

[Roger Smith]

You'll get bored if you use the same product over and over again.

[denim]

Many of us have too much stuff. Some try to use one product until it is gone, others like the variety of well stocked den. Once your technique is down, there is very little to risk by switching things up a bit.

I'm one of the "use it all up" people. My reason is that I went crazy for stuff two years ago when I started. I'm now in a "reduce inventory to sane proportions" mode. Thing is, the quantity you list is probably around what I consider too much. I want maybe three or four soaps, total. Maybe a cream depending on how my T&H Grafton works out.

Blades, once I finish off all the little packs, I'll settle on one, I think. And I already have only one handle, which is fine though I might get a slant as well. It's all YMMV. It's just that I'd like more available counterspace, so I have to use up some product! :-)

[SteveWY]

Spice and fragrance of life!

[denim]

Then I was going to get a selection pack of blades and see which ones I like. I've only tried Wilkinson Sword so far and I'm quite happy with those, do you think I would be better off sticking to the Wilkinsons for a while before experimenting with different blades?

Depends. Do you like the sight of your own blood? :-> Seriously, if you try a blade sample pack, you might find some which work better, as well as some which don't work as well. Or you might go through them all, decide you had the best for you up front, and be happy. But you won't know unless you try it. ...says the guy still trying to finish all the blades after two years, long after he settled on a group of brands.

But yeah, stick with your existing blades for a few months or at least until things seem stable. If you find you can't wait like that, you're on your way to ... becoming like most of us. :-D

Oh, one more thing. If you check online, you'll probably find a cheaper source (http://www.westcoastshaving.com/Razor-Blades_c_7-6-3.html)for your Wilkinsons.

[NickyBobby]

...stick with the same razor for a month or two or six until you can get consistently good shaves.

Blasphemy! Good advice, but blasphemy none the less!

[pdillon]

I've only tried Wilkinson Sword so far and I'm quite happy with those, do you think I would be better off sticking to the Wilkinsons for a while before experimenting with different blades?

No, experimenting with blades is important for someone that is learning. But if you change too many variables at once (blade, razor, soap), it will be harder to measure.

I think the main thing is to not move past your first razor until you have really gotten to know it.

[Parallax]

I'm about three weeks in and don't go with the stick with one routine school. I'm more of the "follow your heart" school. After all, we do this for the joy of it. The various hardwares and softwares call to me like Sirens calling sailors to their doom.

I think I'm picking things up fast. Today, got my best (totally BBS) shave ever. Finally figured out how to get the trouble spots under my jaw line with some advice received in the razor forum. I just go with whatever feels right. Today it was my Fat Boy, which I've been using exclusively for about a week, set to five, with an Astra (about four days old), my Wee Scott and, actually, two soaps and a creme. (Was experimenting with lathers.) By the way, Erasamic is way better than VDH. The creme was TOBS lavender. It worked great too. The Wee can really produce a fine lather. The only downside is it tends to run down the handle and all over the place. It's too small to contain what it mixes.

Yesterday, by contrast, it was my Turkish No. 6 horsehair brush. Perhaps tomorrow I'll try the Savile Row. Or the Omega. Or the crappy drug store brush an ex-girlfriend bought me long before I discovered traditional shaving (for reasons known only to her). Of my 30 razors, however, mostly I find the Fat Boy calling to me. Occasionally some of the others. Maybe five of the thirty get an occasional spin (so far).

By the way, what's that wool fat soap everyone speaks of. I hear it calling to me too. Not sure why. Quick, someone tell me what it is! :0)

[pdillon]

This wasn't the post I was looking for but here's a good treatise on variables/rotation for beginners:
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/141676-Attention-all-Newbs!-Listen-Up-Watch-your-Variables!

[pdillon]

I'm about three weeks in and don't go with the stick with one routine school. I'm more of the "follow your heart" school. After all, we do this for the joy of it. The various hardwares and softwares call to me like Sirens calling sailors to their doom.
Yes, best advice ever: have fun!


By the way, what's that wool fat soap everyone speaks of. I hear it calling to me too. Not sure why. Tell me what it is.
MWF = Mitchell's Woolfat Shaving Soap


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MGLi_m9n_s

[Parallax]

No, experimenting with blades is important for someone that is learning. But if you change too many variables at once (blade, razor, soap), it will be harder to measure.

I think the main thing is to not move past your first razor until you have really gotten to know it.

This is not science and we don't have laboratories in which to control a single variable. All kinds of stuff is shifting all the time, whether we're aware of it or not. So I'm not much on trying to isolate variables. No matter what I do, I learn. May as well have fun with it.

[BestFaceForward]

Do you want the real answer or the one I tell my wife? ;)

+1! :thumbup1:

[Parallax]

Yes, best advice ever: have fun!


MWF = Mitchell's Woolfat Shaving Soap


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MGLi_m9n_s

Thanks for posting this. Very helpful. Where's the best place to snag me some fat?

[BazC]

Wow, thanks for all the advice folks, I think I'll stick with my plan, grab that pot of MWF, use up the baldes I have then buy a sample pack of blades. I'll definitely stick to my new Ball End Tech (arrived yesterday!) it's a brilliant little razor and will keep me happy for a few months! :D

[dpmtherrien]

Nothing like mixing it up every once in awhile.

[dcobranchi]

I've only tried Wilkinson Sword so far and I'm quite happy with those, do you think I would be better off sticking to the Wilkinsons for a while before experimenting with different blades?

Ding! Ding! Ding! We have a winner. One blade, one razor, one soap/cream. That'd be my advice. I'm at this 6 months and I've just recently gotten to the point where I feel confident enough in my technique to change blades and know that any differences I experience are real.

[Ski-Patroller]

Yes I can see the logic of that. I'm new to DE shaving (1 week) but had planned to change a couple of things. I'm currently using a Palmolive stick but intend getting some Mitchells Wool Fat since I discovered it's sold in a shop very nearby. Assuming I can get a decent lather from it I would then stay with that for a while. Then I was going to get a selection pack of blades and see which ones I like. I've only tried Wilkinson Sword so far and I'm quite happy with those, do you think I would be better off sticking to the Wilkinsons for a while before experimenting with different blades?

If you are getting good shaves with the Wilkinsons I'd stay with them for a couple of weeks, but you think they are bad or even terrible, try something else. Just don't change everything at the same time.

[Rivguy]

I like the variety of changing brushes and software for the pleasure of the experience. I have a number of razors and have settled on just a few blades that I rotate depending on the razor I select. I also enjoy changing software seasonally. For me, some products just seem to be more enjoyable in warm or cold weather. I have always been a strong proponent of only changing one variable at a time so that when different results are obtained, I know what the factor was that resulted in that change. This is especially true when trying something new. I think that this is a sound practice for those new to wet shaving. There is plenty of time to try new products once you have mastered the technique which is the most important element in wet shaving. It is not important that you use the most popular, latest or most expensive products discussed here. What is important is that you select products that give you the best and most enjoyable shaves.

Regards,

Doug

[smalltank]

"variety is the spice of life"

[Oblique Human]

Disparateness in material, a mélange of fragrances, a multifarious assault on the senses.

[T-Dog]

Rotation is absolutely necessary (in order to justify all of the gear that you have bought!)

[sp514]

It's mostly because variety is the spice of life.

Sure you could make do with one brush, one razor, one shaving soap/ shaving cream, one aftershave, and one cologne, but most of us think that is rather boring.

Many of us have turned the daily shave into a hobby, rather than simply a chore that has to be completed.

Yes! Variety is the spice of life indeed. One of the reasons I fell out of love with P160 (fantastic soap) is because I used it exclusively for a while and got tired of the 'marzipan' scent.

[celestino]

Fun.


+1

[Kilroy08]

Why, you ask? Like many others, to keep things fresh and exciting. Shaving used to be a chore for me, now it's fun. Plus, my.... umm, well, let's see here.... 5 razors and cigar box full of assorted blades aren't just going to shave themselves.

[warhawk]

It's all about having FUN!!!

WARHAWK

[Oblique Human]

Yes! Variety is the spice of life indeed. One of the reasons I fell out of love with P160 (fantastic soap) is because I used it exclusively for a while and got tired of the 'marzipan' scent.

+1.. and that is also a very good reason right there.

[JDTTO]

Some moments call for a different shave.

I just shaved with my gillette NEW and got an amazing close shave (lasting BBS in 3 passes) but I would not want to shave this close every day. My daily shaver is a Gillette SS which gives me a DFS with the same effort and a little more comfort.

I have a Slim Adjustable on the way, maybe this ends the razor rotation but I think it won't.

[Giant Kiwi]

[QUOTE=Parallax;4074553]Thanks for posting this. Very helpful. Where's the best place to snag me some fat?[/QUOTE

http://connaughtshaving.com/mitchellsshaving.html

http://www.shaving.ie/products/Mitchells-Wool-Fat-Shaving-Soap-and-Dish.html

Don't be put off by the 'fat' is hard to lather.

Awesome stuff

[mongo1958]

Tell that to your wife or girlfriend

:death:

You'll get bored if you use the same product over and over again.

[BazC]

Thanks for the input guys, I don't doubt I'll be rotating myself once my technique is sorted out!

[denim]

Tell that to your wife or girlfriend

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coolidge_effect#Origin_of_the_term

[WilsonLaidlaw]

I have just started a very similar thread asking how many razors, blade makes, soaps, brushes and fragrances does a man need. Quite a lot or life gets really boring is probably the right answer.

Wilson

[Valerius]

Mankind has always been curious and tested new things. I think this is the reason why so many of us have lots of shaving soaps, creams, razors etc...