Favorite Shaving Purchase

My pre-war Gillette Tech. Just a wonderful razor. It seemed to know my face from the first shave.

My Wade & Butcher Wedge, great shaver!

My best purchase was also the best value - a Fatip Piccolo I won at auction with a Mühle brush for about $15 equivalent. I was a bit nervous because it was my first time with an open comb and I'd read a lot about how aggressive it was supposed to be. I knew from the first stroke that I'd found The One.

My recent favorite shaving purchase were 3 Gillette Adjustable razors, all for $12 at a Thrift Store, Fatboy, Slim and Super Adjustable (Black Beauty) in very good condition. Bottom three of picture. Other than that, it is my Weber PH with Classic Handle.

The single biggest game changer for me was discovering Godrej Red. Less than a buck a tube in Dubai, where I first purchased it. Slickest lather imaginable, and softens whiskers phenomenally if you give it a chance. This stuff improved every shave, not just my straight shaves. Beats the pants off Proraso, good as it is, or any soap. Superlather made from Godrej Red on VDH is heavenly. I try to always stock up when I am in the middle east rather than paying $5 a tube online.

Thats easy.

My favorite purchase is the one I haven't made yet.

1953 Gillette President that I won on eBay for $26. I immediately sent it to razor imporium for rhodium replating.

All of these. For soap, ABC and TIKI land locked tallow (pic) (both discontinued); for cologne, Penhaligon Opus 1870.

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Joris, Gillette New LC, ATT H2, Braveheart, Weber, Feather DX

My 2009 Kent Badger and Blade brush: hands down the best shaving purchase I ever made.

Gillette adjustables

Soap Commander soaps.

Silly as it may sound ... Super Speed Flair and a Maggard's synthetic knots.

• Canadian Pre-war Fat-handle Tech - my first three-piece razor, and only $10 at an antiques shop.
• Simpson Wee Scot brush - it's like driving a little sports car.
• Mennen Skin Bracer AS - I didn't think I'd like a cheap drugstore AS, but I do really like it, and look forward to using it in my rotation.
• Williams Mug Soap - but only after grating it, adding water (or AS), and mashing it into an empty glue stick or deodorant stick container.

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Two razors:

1.) A Maggard MR11/V3A - a gift rather than a purchase. Looks aggressive as can be, but very smooth on the face, especially with a Derby Extra or a 7 O'Clock SS.

2.) A post-war 1940's Ball End Tech. Super mild, bu efficient. Pairs beautifully with a Feather.

All of my single edge razors, and witch hazel.

I have two, my ATT Atlas R1 and Stirling Synthetic Kong brush. Both blew me away and are now my only DE and brush.

I favorite is Schick injector model J 1. Second is GEM featherweight.

Only been DE shaving since Christmas, but I have 2: a 1976 Gillette black handle Flare Tip for $5 and Tabac soap in ceramic bowl for $10.