OK, so what do I want to upgrade?

I'm pretty happy with my setup at this point:
I've decided what my preferred style and size of razor are, and have many in
that combination to choose from.
I have a good vintage strop that works well and a junk strop that I've pasted.
I have tried a number of creams and soaps and have a handle on what I like and
don't like of the one's I've tried.
I have a budget boar brush that I like and a decent best badger brush that I
also like, and between the two, I can lather however I want. I also have a
horse brush on the way.
My hones are not the standard setup, but they work well for me and others have
corroborated that my edges are good. I use a no name 400/600-ish stone to do
repair work, a King 1000/6000 for bevel setting/sharpening, polish on an Amalgamite
barber hone, and finish on a PHIG.
I have repinned razors as needed and have no problem cleaning up old ones (not
like the pros, but well enough to fix up old rusty razors).

So my question is, what do I upgrade first? Sometimes I think I'd like a Norton
4/8, but I'm not having any problems with the current setup. My interest is
occasionally piqued by "better" finish hones, but I don't know if
there's really an appreciable difference between them and my PHIG. Would a
luxury brush improve my experience? A scuttle? Maybe a strop, since I have
limited experience with different strops?

Basically, since I'm at a point where everything works, what improvement should be the first priority?

If it were me, I'd probably get either a new strop(possibly latigo), or get some new soaps and creams(you can never have enough of those). Maybe even upgrade the boar brush to a Semogue 830.:)

Get an antique Edwardian shaving stand with candle holders for your bedroom and shave at that once a week on Sunday afternoon, then spend the rest of the day in the room reading, doing crossword puzzles and writing letters. Take an early tea in the room; roast beef, potatoes, peas, Yorkshire pudding and Trifle, wash it down with a few sherries and a glass of port to finish. Early to bed.

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Originally Posted by carlmaloschneider

Get an antique Edwardian shaving stand with candle holders for your bedroom and shave at that once a week on Sunday afternoon, then spend the rest of the day in the room reading, doing crossword puzzles and writing letters. Take an early tea in the room; roast beef, potatoes, peas, Yorkshire pudding and Trifle, wash it down with a few sherries and a glass of port to finish. Early to bed.

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Whilst wearing a smoking jacket, and, I think I envision a Meerschaum pipe?

Personally I think you have a nice set up. However if you dont own a scuttle I would get one. There is nothing like nice warm lather:D

Well since you have all the basics covered; your "Upgrade" should be a "LISA", Live-In-Shave-Assistant.
The hiring criteria should be;
1. 22 to 30 years of age (you don't want to hire her too young)
2. Brunette, instead of blonde. (that way she can tell the difference between a brush and a scuttle)
3. Attractive with large bosoms, that's breasts for you guys under 30. (keeps your mind off of minor nicks that might occur.)
4. Recent immigrant with little, to no knowledge of your spoken language. (makes it harder for her to learn about labor laws or wage requirements)
5. Cooking skills are a plus, but not really important; cleaning skills are though. (the shave den must be kept spotless)
6. Reward her with small monetary bonus for every razor or hone that she finds while scouring the antique stores & estate sales. ( keep her off the internet, so she doesn't find out the real values on the items she finds)
7. Last, but not least, never ever, tell her about Straight Razor Place.

These are just a few important requirements; you might think of some more.

As someone who just heard yesterday that his first scuttle has been made and is will be on its way soon, I would lean towards a scuttle. Another strop is a great idea too. I'd be wary of messing with your honing setup if it's working for you.

But then we all know that Carl really nailed this one on the head... :)

I didn't see a Styptic pencil mentioned. Your setup is not yet complete.

I vote brush. Get a really nice badger brush with a good, thick knot of hair.


When the weather cools off get a scuttle.

Michael

I'm voting for a nice brush and/or scuttle. I really enjoy shaving with a scuttle and now I'm shopping for a really nice brush (leaning towards a Thater).

Ed

My vote is for a new touchup hone. You don't have to shell out a paycheque for one that's effective either. I'd recommend a Naniwa 12k, the edges you'll get off that will put any barber hone to shame.

I have to plus 1with Ryan on the Naniwa 12k it is a superb finisher and will give you a "different" feel then the PHIG..
Then only other thing that really effects all the razors "feel" on your face in a high quality strop..


Note: I said different, not better only the guy in your shaving mirrior can say if it is better :p

ps: I really like Hirlau's idea the best but somehow I doubt the SWMBO is going to let me get one of those "additions" in my shave den :rofl2:

I'm in with Ryan and Glen!

I LOVE the feel of a Naniwa 12k edge. This applies to all of my razors whether it's my near full wedge or an extra hollow! Great feeling edge.

What's your shave den like? Good mirror(s)? Good lighting? Plenty of
ventilation? Enough elbow room? Storage space? Privacy (including
freedom from anyone else tampering with your stuff)? Sound system?

I would also add something to preserve and protect your razors: alcohol,
mineral and/or vegetable oil, polishing cloth, safe storage arrangement,
etc.

Enjoy!

Paul

ps: a Naniwa 12k and a personal shaving assistant sounds good, too!

Great thoughts guys. The Naniwa will probably be the way I go, but the other suggestions will probably come in time, too. Well, except LISA and the victorian basin set. Carl, I think they are super cool, but my wife already thinks I spend a lot of time in the bathroom. If I set up what she'll consider a vanity next to hers in the bedroom, she'll make me her buddy and start shopping for a new husband. As for LISA...

The shave den will definately get set up once I move to the new house in September. It's a storage room under another bathroom now, and my wife has already commented that we'll need a bathroom down by the bar.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cangooner

...But then we all know that Carl really nailed this one on the head... :)...

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Thank you. It's what I myself am doing next anyway; though I need a nice rug, too, and one of those bell things so I can summon the butler (wife), and maybe a brace of pistols, and a carriage, several suits of clothes, a silver tipped cane, a pocket watch...
I should stop now, should I stop now?

I have to agree with regard to a finishing stone - forget about the PHIG and opt for the Naniwa 12k. The PHIG is an unknown outcome and the results I had with it were "meh"

I wouldn't go that far. Buying one is an unknown outcome - it kinda depends what you get. Mine seems to be a good one, and I rarely miss on it. But with that said, I would like to check out a Naniwa 12K for comparison.

I vote for the Naniwa too. Good stuff.

And more soap/cream. Never enough soap or cream. Maybe a scuttle too.

I have a Naniwa but not a PHIG. All I had before the Naniwa was a Norton 220/100, and 4/8K. The Naniwa took my edges to the next level of smooth. Since you already get good edges, may I suggest a Scuttle? It's great in the winter with warm lather, but don't forget cold water in the summer...mmmmm...cool lather!

+ 1 on the scuttle. I use mine hot and cold and just love it. Wish I had it from the very beginning.

But that nani 12k is special too...

Treat yourself to a Schwarzweisskeramik scuttle

Guys, are we talking the super stone or the Chosera?

Personally, the SS

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Originally Posted by DFriedl

Guys, are we talking the super stone or the Chosera?

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The Super Stone series is by far the most popular around here and is the one that I own. Chances are if someone is discussing a Naniwa 12k they are referring to the ss.

I vote for scuttle followed by a Naniwa ( no experience with it) or a shapton glass 16K ( what I use) with some pasted wool felt strop. Double O

I'd say get a good quality brush, just to add this bit of luxury to your shave. I'd lean towards a Thäter, but that's the only high quality brush I have, there's a bunch out there (although the Thäters are very affordable compared to e.g. high-end Simpsons).