Love the shave lose the hobby?

Michael, I see you are familiar with Shunryu Suzuki's book.

Yes, Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind is a wonderful, no nonsense book that presents the elements of simplicity and clarity so well in a non religious way.

Whether you're using a new razor, soap, brush for the daily shave, or a well-broken in, old-favorite brush, a favorite go-to razor and soap that you've used for shave after shave: In either case, with 'beginner's mind', approaching it as the only shave in the present moment, it's a wonderful, new-in-the-moment shave. Both hobbyists and 'just shavers' can have this experience every shave.

This may be your 10,000th shave or 10th, in either case, it's your very first shave in the moment.

Amazing wisdom, epic thread. With several hobbies / forums, I have been learning a lot about myself. In particular, I'm fascinated by how I cycle through them and It has lead me to finding I'm a multipotentialite.

http://puttylike.com/terminology

I'm firmly in the just shave (head & around my beard) camp now, but have kept a curated collection of my favorite things for the next time I feel like approaching the hobby side of shaving.

I'm playing B. B. King's "The Thrill is Gone" in the background.

Do you shave with a straight razor?

I thought long and hard about entering this discussion. In my opinion there is no right or wrong answer just like politics or other like topics. However, here goes. There is a voluminous amount of verbiage in this thread but unless I am not thinking right today it boils down to two opinions. Shave and have the bare minimum of products such as brushes, razors, soap and creams. Or, shave and have a collection of brushes, razors or soaps and creams. I see no problem with either theory. The shaver has the right to make that decision on there own. You can have a terrific shave and experience weather you own one brush or 100 brushes. It’s what you want and can afford and not what others suggest. Over the years I have taken notice of the products that all companies (brush, razor, blade, soap) are making and the new products they have come out with. In addition, there are a number of new comers (brush, blade, soap) who were not making products several years ago. I believe it is because there is a market for those products. Without customers wanting new products or collecting many products many of these new manufactures might not have gone into business. If potential customers are not buying it does not make sense to go into business. I question if Aldo Siu would have started making The Varlet if he felt there was no market for them. So if it is only two brushes you want or reducing you collection from 100 down to 10 of the best you own thats entirely up to you. You decide what makes you happy. However, the more money being spent the more new products and/or vendors we will see and that will benefit all of us.

I'm with you.  There comes a time when you have to focus on your techniques - prepping, generating a thick layer of lather, your top choice of blades and razors that you experimented with over a period of time.  I think less dropping by the forums and less reading and catching the fever of newbies who understandably fan the fires of excitement, is a good way to stop the spending and "just shave." I've been on and off the boards for 10 years or so, and it is nice when I am not a constant visitor and not feeling like I'm missing out on something. I've not found any new soaps that are better than Mike's or Strop Shoppe (RIP) or Valobra pucks and Tabac and Cella. Sometimes a new razor makes me curious...e.g., Rockwell 6S or Wunderbar, and it pays off b/c they are excellent and provide something new.

Unfortunately, in just the last two weeks I've fallen off the wagon. An unnamed razor not ready for release, Shavemac 2-band silvertip; blades galore. But I'm back on the wagon and will be around less often.

I enjoy the hobby aspect. It keeps things entertaining. Shaving used to be a bore. "Wet Shaving" opened a new world. You interact with some cool folks, join a few forums. Even if you found your "ideal set up", it is always interesting hearing other's journeys.

I went down a rabbit hole and shave with DE, SE, Injectors, Straights. I do it because I like to and it's a cheaper hobby than some other things like gambling, cars, etc.

I enjoy the hobby aspect. It keeps things entertaining. Shaving used to be a bore. "Wet Shaving" opened a new world. You interact with some cool folks, join a few forums. Even if you found your "ideal set up", it is always interesting hearing other's journeys.

I went down a rabbit hole and shave with DE, SE, Injectors, Straights. I do it because I like to and it's a cheaper hobby than some other things like gambling, cars, etc.

My shaving hobby is far less expensive (on most days) than the poker hobby I used to have, and far less time consuming. :-)

Let's put it this way: It's easier to talk my wife into another razor than it is another gun lol.