Thread: Ever Too Many?

For about 10 years all I had was 4 straights, a 100 year old strop, a barbers hone , an escher hone, and a boar bristle brush. I was happy!!
About 5 years ago I got the fever. I now own more than 50 razors, 7 strops, several different hones, and have graduated to a dovo silver tip badger brush.
I get the shakes everytime I get on ebay.




WILL THE MADNESS EVER END???



sorry but I just realized I am not qualified to answer your question.

Let me pretend a certain level of importance here and qualify my original post. I can understand the desire to collect all types of gear after one reaches a certain level of competence but I do think it is better to start off with less stuff and learn how to use each item well. I have seen in other endeavors individuals who start out with the best gear of all sorts and never appreciate what they have or learn how to use each item to the fullest --they end up blaming their gear instead of their own lack of knowledge or ability when they don't get the desired end results. Then it becomes a buying/selling game and little of any importance is actually gained. Maybe a little stoic and utilitarian on my part , but I would rather use the stuff I have instead of just owning to own.

Justin

I'm just beginning to straight shave, and already I see the tell tale signs of GAS (Gear Aquisition Syndrome) creeping up and biting me in the butt again. I won't go as far as saying that I'm obsessing, but there's so much to try, and life is only so short! I had this same problem when I collected guitars, which, at one point I had 16 before I realized that I could only play 1 at a time! (Two if I've been drinking)

I guess it really boils down to whether or not you've got the disposable income to spend. I say that if gassing for a new tool doesn't interfere with your electricity bill or your child's school clothes then lets go!

Being passionate about something is rare for me nowadays, so finally buying myself some 'extras' which help my face feel better, shoots my confidence level through the roof, and being able to relate and learn from others about this lost art is a small price to pay. The gas will stop soon....the gas will stop soon....the gas will stop soon!!



-J

Originally Posted by Superock

I'm just beginning to straight shave, and already I see the tell tale signs of GAS (Gear Aquisition Syndrome) creeping up and biting me in the butt again. ... The gas will stop soon....the gas will stop soon....the gas will stop soon!!



-J

Sorry to be the one to break it to you, but...KEEP DREAMING!!! Your gas is as likely to stop as that of the guy who subsists on a diet of white beans and boiled cabbage.

Even so, I wish you well in your affliction

Ed

Originally Posted by Superock

I'm just beginning to straight shave, and already I see the tell tale signs of GAS (Gear Aquisition Syndrome) creeping up and biting me in the butt again.

This is a serious condition, J. It's the sort of disorder you may have to live with for the rest of your life. Sorry to break the bad news to you.

X

Originally Posted by jaegerhund

Let me pretend a certain level of importance here and qualify my original post. I can understand the desire to collect all types of gear after one reaches a certain level of competence but I do think it is better to start off with less stuff and learn how to use each item well. I have seen in other endeavors individuals who start out with the best gear of all sorts and never appreciate what they have or learn how to use each item to the fullest --they end up blaming their gear instead of their own lack of knowledge or ability when they don't get the desired end results. Then it becomes a buying/selling game and little of any importance is actually gained. Maybe a little stoic and utilitarian on my part , but I would rather use the stuff I have instead of just owning to own.

Justin

Justin, I couldn't agree more. I think keeping it simple initially is always a good bet, because you don't know how things might turn out in the long run. Don't buy absolute rubbish, but there's no need for more than the basics initially.

You could argue that the responses given on this forum to questions of this type are necessarily biased, because we are all clearly into it and want to learn and improve as much as possible. So I'm really glad you posted your response.

James.

Originally Posted by Jimbo

Justin, I couldn't agree more. I think keeping it simple initially is always a good bet, because you don't know how things might turn out in the long run. Don't buy absolute rubbish, but there's no need for more than the basics initially.

You could argue that the responses given on this forum to questions of this type are necessarily biased, because we are all clearly into it and want to learn and improve as much as possible. So I'm really glad you posted your response.

James.

Thanks, James. I can understand as well the other side of this argument. We all have that Apollonian and Dionysian struggle within us but ultimately ,in most things, learning doesn't require a lot of and the best of gear. But once you get your fundamentals down then the rest is icing on the cake.

Justin

Originally Posted by jaegerhund

... But once you get your fundamentals down then the rest is icing on the cake.

Justin

And some of us like to lick the bowl ...

James.

Hey Justin & James,
I agree with both of you. If I had as many different razors & strops as I do now I would have been nothing but confused & probably would have given up all together. each piece handles a little differently and requires a slightly different approach!!
I'm generally pretty spartan about most things, but as of late razors ain't one of them.


Mark

I find that with most of my hobbies, I tend to to initially buy lots of gear, then at some point I say "Enough, it's time to focus on developing skill with the stuff I have."

At present I have two razors in my rotation and one on the workbench. I started with a 5/8 full hollow, bought a 4/8 quarter hollow spike on ebay and discovered I really liked it. Happened to see another one in an antique store for $6, and couldn't resist. I have no plans to buy more unless I'm fixing one up as for a present.

I have two brushes - the Burma brush from Tony Miller's kit and a badger I received for Christmas. I may buy several soaps at once to save on shipping, but I put one in the mug and use it until it's gone. I have one cream I save for special occasions.

And you know what? Every morning I have a nice, relaxing shave and feel good about it. Without that, thousands of dollars of gear would be worthless.

Originally Posted by ForestryProf

Your gas is as likely to stop as that of the guy who subsists on a diet of white beans and boiled cabbage.

Bwahahaha! :-D