Its Quiet Out There....Too Quiet?

Honestly since I’ve started wet shaving the quality of most products has increased exponentially...both hardware and software. I think people are buying but with more specific needs in mind. Maybe saving a little more for something they really want than just buying a bunch of cheaper items to satisfy acquisition disorders. I think long gone are the days that mass produced razors and software get people really excited anymore. As a buyer I know I’ve moved to more of a strategic timely purchasing methodology now. Saving for the more expensive razor I really want when the time is right or hopping on the release of a new soap when it is released. As quality increases there’s less need for me to test out cheap muddy waters to just be disappointed again. I know now what I like and would rather spend my time trying to obtain it.

Capitalism is great

Tbone I agree there is a ton of great stuff out there but in today's social media driven, what's the next hot thing marketing world if a brand isn't creating some buzz to stay in your face then they get passed by.
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If you read ezlovan 's post above, he and his wife are working harder and harder to stand still or even slip back and he's questioning how much longer he can sustain that.

That is where maketing comes into play. ezlovan noted that the majority of the wetshaving marketplace is outside of the forums. That is what I have been saying all along. The forums are a great place to launch and refine products, but eventually vendors will reach a point where they either expand beyond the forums or fold. That is when consolidation occurs. The same thing happens in nearly all emerging markets. That being said, I do hope Stirling hits the big time.

I suspect that many of those straights being bought by college students wind up as decorative pieces rather than daily drivers.

Perhaps, but I'll bet many continue to see at least occasional use. It's quite likely that the safety razors sold continue to see regular use.

And in response to your question - How much shaving products are there?

Then there is nothing to worry about. The traditional shaving marketplace in its entirety continues to be well supplied. Simply wanting more when we already have such abundance will likely lead to disappointment, in shaving or anything else.

Tbone the first 1:14 of this video says it all -   You can watch the whole thing if you want, its very instructional.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eR4ymou4D8o

If that is all the wetshaving forums are about now, then itt is no surprise they are quiet. New product introductions and marketing will be done where there is a large audience - Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest, Reddit, Instagram, Tumblr, etc. Fertile hunting grounds for gear accumulators looking for that next product fix.

Traditional shaving really is mainstream now, but the action is now elsewhere. Anyways, I hope that you and all the others here find what you are looking for.

I've been following this thread and thinking on it. I was here everyday, sometimes many times a day, for quite a while.

Like many others, it's just come down to I have enough soft ware and don't see the point in chasing more down. I've settled on one brand I like in particular and a couple of others I'd like to eventually try. Being in Finland, I usually just wait until I visit home in California and buy there if I want to try something new.

I don't need more brushes, the new synths are just stupidly good for me

Razors, that's another story, I'd like to try more as I'm still looking for that bit of nirvana. I know what I don't like anymore for sure, and I know what I like from what I've tried and where to go next.

I've yet to try any modern high end stuff, budget keeps me away and having found that vintage razors are working really well for me. But I'd like to eventually.

There are so many guys here that have literally everything in their collection, that I really don't feel I've got that much to contribute outside my small sphere of knowledge. I still enjoy the fellowship and looking at pics, reading reviews etc.

But there was a thread a while back about lanolin in soaps, which was the only thread I've participated in that left a bad taste in my mouth. I think that really put a damper on things for me. Between that and feeling I'm not in the right league of collector, I haven't been hanging around as much.

I recon, there comes a point where you're basically satisfied with what you have, which is excellent IMO. The forums have been a huge help, and there will always be new guys hoping in. Shaving isn't going away, but maybe the need to participate extensively in forums etc is cyclical and needs based for many of us.

HMan , thanks for your insightful comments. I think that many of us are right where you are - found what we like and are going with that. Please don't judge the entire forum by that thread you mentioned. There is no doubt that we get the odd individual with strong views and little tact who post and generally its not a problem to post your views as long as its respectful of other members. When it strays the Mods try to gently rein things in although sometimes that isn't enough. I've learned over the years that if I encounter something or someone objectionable I just don't engage. There are plenty of threads and helpful, pleasant members on the forum who are happy to discuss things. As far as the members who have all the latest greatest gear, I wouldn't worry about that, everyone is trying to get the best shave they can in their own way. I enjoy seeing the SOTD pics and reading the reviews of the latest things but I don't feel any pressure to own them nor do I ever get the sense that I'm being looked down upon if I enjoy Arko or Williams soaps rather than MDC or Nuavia. YMMV as they say. I hope you continue to enjoy your shaves and keep visiting DFS, just enjoy the good stuff and ignore the rest.

Cheers,
Marko

I've been following this thread and thinking on it. I was here everyday, sometimes many times a day, for quite a while.

Like many others, it's just come down to I have enough soft ware and don't see the point in chasing more down. I've settled on one brand I like in particular and a couple of others I'd like to eventually try. Being in Finland, I usually just wait until I visit home in California and buy there if I want to try something new.

I don't need more brushes, the new synths are just stupidly good for me

Razors, that's another story, I'd like to try more as I'm still looking for that bit of nirvana. I know what I don't like anymore for sure, and I know what I like from what I've tried and where to go next.

I've yet to try any modern high end stuff, budget keeps me away and having found that vintage razors are working really well for me. But I'd like to eventually.

There are so many guys here that have literally everything in their collection, that I really don't feel I've got that much to contribute outside my small sphere of knowledge. I still enjoy the fellowship and looking at pics, reading reviews etc.

But there was a thread a while back about lanolin in soaps, which was the only thread I've participated in that left a bad taste in my mouth. I think that really put a damper on things for me. Between that and feeling I'm not in the right league of collector, I haven't been hanging around as much.

I recon, there comes a point where you're basically satisfied with what you have, which is excellent IMO. The forums have been a huge help, and there will always be new guys hoping in. Shaving isn't going away, but maybe the need to participate extensively in forums etc is cyclical and needs based for many of us.

does that make two of you who are from/live in Finland now? Matsilainen

I've been following this thread and thinking on it. I was here everyday, sometimes many times a day, for quite a while.

Like many others, it's just come down to I have enough soft ware and don't see the point in chasing more down. I've settled on one brand I like in particular and a couple of others I'd like to eventually try. Being in Finland, I usually just wait until I visit home in California and buy there if I want to try something new.

I don't need more brushes, the new synths are just stupidly good for me

Razors, that's another story, I'd like to try more as I'm still looking for that bit of nirvana. I know what I don't like anymore for sure, and I know what I like from what I've tried and where to go next.

I've yet to try any modern high end stuff, budget keeps me away and having found that vintage razors are working really well for me. But I'd like to eventually.

There are so many guys here that have literally everything in their collection, that I really don't feel I've got that much to contribute outside my small sphere of knowledge. I still enjoy the fellowship and looking at pics, reading reviews etc.

But there was a thread a while back about lanolin in soaps, which was the only thread I've participated in that left a bad taste in my mouth. I think that really put a damper on things for me. Between that and feeling I'm not in the right league of collector, I haven't been hanging around as much.

I recon, there comes a point where you're basically satisfied with what you have, which is excellent IMO. The forums have been a huge help, and there will always be new guys hoping in. Shaving isn't going away, but maybe the need to participate extensively in forums etc is cyclical and needs based for many of us.

does that make two of you who are from/live in Finland now?  MatsilainenP

Its an invasion!!

I've been following this thread and thinking on it. I was here everyday, sometimes many times a day, for quite a while.

Like many others, it's just come down to I have enough soft ware and don't see the point in chasing more down. I've settled on one brand I like in particular and a couple of others I'd like to eventually try. Being in Finland, I usually just wait until I visit home in California and buy there if I want to try something new.

I don't need more brushes, the new synths are just stupidly good for me

Razors, that's another story, I'd like to try more as I'm still looking for that bit of nirvana. I know what I don't like anymore for sure, and I know what I like from what I've tried and where to go next.

I've yet to try any modern high end stuff, budget keeps me away and having found that vintage razors are working really well for me. But I'd like to eventually.

There are so many guys here that have literally everything in their collection, that I really don't feel I've got that much to contribute outside my small sphere of knowledge. I still enjoy the fellowship and looking at pics, reading reviews etc.

But there was a thread a while back about lanolin in soaps, which was the only thread I've participated in that left a bad taste in my mouth. I think that really put a damper on things for me. Between that and feeling I'm not in the right league of collector, I haven't been hanging around as much.

I recon, there comes a point where you're basically satisfied with what you have, which is excellent IMO. The forums have been a huge help, and there will always be new guys hoping in. Shaving isn't going away, but maybe the need to participate extensively in forums etc is cyclical and needs based for many of us.

does that make two of you who are from/live in Finland now?  MatsilainenP

Its an invasion!!

no wonder why it has been so cold outside this past week! sheesh!!!!