Thread: would appreciate some input on next purchase.

Hirlau has the right of it!
Set money aside and add to your collection slowly.
You have been around this forum for a while and are getting to know about trade-offs.

Here are my suggestions to your question.

your #1. I use and enjoy the feather style razors. I buy the $35 Korean CJB and Sam Seong models and gave my folding DX to my son. As it may be, your will find them a useful tool.

Your #2. A great brush, with your experience is a good buy. Think of how you lather and what soap/ cream you use before buy a short brush.

Your #3. That is the stone getting the greatest hype at this time.

Your #4. You can try pulling your strop back and forth lengthwise over the edge of your tile or rounded counter edge with the smooth side out a few times with pressure. That will usually get the whole strop onto the same level and moisture content when done often over time.

Your #5. I traded my toggle off. I do have a few safety razors and enjoy shaving with them. Buy them as you wish. They are often overpriced unless found in the wild for cheap. The fun is cleaning them up and the shaves you made possible. Honing the early double hollow ground blades is not for the unskilled!!

Your #6. Most Custom razors are collectors items and priced accordingly. Do your homework before buying any of them. PM guys the have the ones you like and find how they like them.
.
Your # 7. I have used the large Harbor Freight US cleaner for a few years, in my opinion, it is a good value especially if you get it when on special or with a 25% off coupon.
I have their small tumbler, great for ammo but a bit too small for more than one razor or straight. Do not even think of using the triangular grit chunks they supply for anything dealing with edges.

Your #8. Buy the fru fru one at a time. Even better; get samples of them before buying a puck or tube.
They do last a long time and having bought an expensive one you do not like means you don't buy on you do like.


Best I can say is: Enjoy your journey and sample and change one item at a time or you like most, will have drawers full of unused equipment and fru fru.

Merry Christmas!
~Richard