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Thread: would appreciate some input on next purchase.
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12-22-2014, 01:44 AM #1
- Join Date
- Mar 2014
- Location
- Finger Lakes region of New York State
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- 532
Thanked: 49would appreciate some input on next purchase.
I've recently completed a couple of side jobs which will leave me with a decent chunk of money to spend (for me anyway) I realize that ultimately I will make my own decision based based on logical criteria such as "this is what i feel like doing", but I invite/enjoy the input and discussion. So here are somethings I've been considering purchasing and the reasons why.
1. Feather Artist Club DX.
I really enjoy shaving with a straight, but have had less time for prep and maintenance lately due to a new job, welding classes, side work, home projects, family issues, etc. I have a Dovo shavette which I used a lot when I started wet shaving. I still use it sometimes if I'm hurried, but reach for my DE and SE razors more. I think if I had one of these bad boys I would reach for it often when my straights are in need of attention.
2. Simpson Chubby or other high quality brush.
I have an old boar brush(given to me by my grandfather) that I never use, a best badger travel razor that I like and a silvertip brush from Frank's Shaving that I use most of the time. While I would say that I am satisfied with my daily driver(especially for the price) I can't help, but wonder how nice a really great brush would be. The densely packed bristles of the chubby look like they would do a fantastic job. I am mainly a bowl latherer, but have been doing some face lathering lately. I think I would get the most use out of this purchase.
3. Suehiro Gokumyo 20k.
I get comfortable close shaves with the stones that I have(naniwa superstones up to 12k), but would love to take t to the next level with a high grit finisher. Since my other stones are synthetic I thought this would be the way to go(to start with anyway). The downside to this purchase is that as I've stated before; I lack time for maintenance.
4. High quality strop.
I have a rich man's strop from whipped dog. It has served me well(I think), but it has some ripples in it. I haven't tried flattening it with a bottle yet. My edges seem to degrade quickly. I don't know if this is from the strop, stropping technique, shaving technique or something else. I know the mantra should be "it's not my tools it's me", but I would think a nice strop, perhaps a paddle or modular paddle would eliminate some of the variables.
5. Gillette Toggle and/other adjustable.
I've always thought the adjustable razors were cool especially the toggle. I've seen some recently that I might be able to afford. I have a slim and two fatboys and would also like to acquire a super adjustable. V-1 date code if possible. While I do love shaving with straights I still like safety razors an awful lot. I might as well throw a couple of other razors that I covet into this section like a Wilkinson Sword seven day set, rolls razor seven day set(only seen one), Darwin safety razor, Kamfe brothers Star safety razor set. This list could go on, but you get the idea.
6. Expensive straight. Custom or pricey vintage.
Some of the customs are just gorgeous. The SRP custom is a great value that probably won't be available much longer. There are a lot of vintage straights that I would love to have, but as previously mentioned I'm lacking time to maintain them.
7. Tumbler/ultrasonic cleaner.
I could get set up for tumbling for about $100 and I think I could get an US cleaner that would suit my needs for that or less. I would love to be able to tumble some of my blades, but if I did buy one I would need to buy some equipment material and equipment for taking razors apart and putting them back together. Otherwise it wouldn't be much good to me. I think I would get good use out of the US cleaner (as would my wife). I'm getting to the point where I might want to sell some of my acquisitions to help fund the hobby and both of these things would help with that I think. However, if I don't have time to maintain do I have time to unpin, clean, hone, make scales, re-pin, etc. Probably not. Ultrasonic yes.
8. Creams, soaps, scents, etc.
I love the software part of this hobby. I really enjoy trying and using new creams, soaps, aftershaves, EDTs, etc. I've never tried MDC or Castle Forbes or any number of high end products; let alone all the affordable stuff like clubman aftershaves and what not.
OK that's what I've got at the moment. Would love to hear your thoughts and suggestions.Last edited by tedh75; 12-22-2014 at 01:49 AM.
“To be fair, I did have a couple of gadgets which he probably didn’t, like a teaspoon and an open mind.”
-The Doctor