That sounds like a rather impressive collection of kit and clearly it has had meaning for you in acquiring it.As I sit and ponder, which I seem to do more often as I grow older, it seems to be that I need a massive den purge.
Talk me out of it.
I have eight “modern” razors, most on the premium end of the scale, but, I only LOVE four of them. The unloved include a Blackbird titanium and an Atelier Durdan Vestige, for what it’s worth. Ive already sold both of my Roccas, my Blackbird SS, and my Vector.
I also have, if I’m counting correctly, 15 vintage razors (six Techs, two Aristocrats, three Super Sspeeds, a Fatboy, two NEWs (LC and SC), and two Ever-Ready Gems. I’m not wild about any of the TTOs and, while I like my Techs, I like my NEWs much more.
And, lest I forget, I have three Kamisori barber razors (Feather AC SS, Feather AC DX, and Schick Proline). The two Feathers have never been opened, the Proline is from the 90s.
Brushes? Lord, please help me. I have a half-dozen premium boars brand new in boxes that it will be years before I ever think of using (I blame Rudy Vey and his brilliant work for part of that); I also have 3-4 restored vintage brushes sitting idle.
Time is short and it seems prudent to focus on the kit that has proven to work flawlessly.
I wouldn’t say that I’m going minimalist; if I proceed, I’ll be left with four top-tier modern razors and three vintages, as well as a dozen-ish premium boar brushes.
What do you think?
I've an extremely modest set of razors of which include very recent acquisitions of 1 NLC and 1 NSC (my absolute favorite razors I've ever used) in addition I've 2 Techs, 1 Leaf and an Artist Club Kamisori that sees little use. (Over the years I've had TTOs, carts and an electric: all of which are gone.) Add, three brushes, 1 scuttle and 1 silcone collapsible shave bowl.
Truly, no where close to the array you've collected.
I'm not so much a minimalist, though I aspire to need less, collect less and enjoy that which I have more fully. Space for me is extremely limited.
Over the years I've gone through periodic "edits" as I call them, you noted "...den purge".
I'm all for edits. Taking periodic stock in one's stuff and letting it go, either by sale, donation, gifting. There is a release that happens for most who engage in this sort of activity that can trigger deeper insight into oneself, aside from the exhale that happens when lightening one's load.
Ironically with the several "edits" I've done with various items/areas in my life, I seem to end up having the space filled in to some extent not long after. Not exactly certain how that happens, it just has.
Long way around to say...go for it. Find the pieces of your collection that give you the greatest joy to use, perhaps keep a couple of those brushes and let go of the rest in a manner you see fit.
I don't see any downside to taveling that path.