Rotating vs. Finishing

I'm a fan of Michael Freedberg's video's. He always insists that you finish one soap before you start a new one. The problem I have is that I have accumulated so many wonderful soaps and creams that I can't decide to finish a soap or rotate from scent to scent or artisan to artisan. What a dilemma! What do other think about whether you finish one soap before you move on to the next one or whether you rotate within you collection. And, if you rotate, how do you choose what to shave with on any given day? - Thanks

I have a rotation written out. I did it so no two soaps from one company would be side by side. really its the variety that makes shaving fun. I wouldn't want to use just one soap til its gone. that would be boring, though it would be cheaper. I also have 4 brushes I do in rotation. I get to look forward to one soap then another and another. today is chiseled face banana with satin tip brush(currently testing it with all my soaps)

I rotate in no particular order, just whatever I'm in the mood for.

I'm a fan of Michael Freedberg's video's. He always insists that you finish one soap before you start a new one. The problem I have is that I have accumulated so many wonderful soaps and creams that I can't decide to finish a soap or rotate from scent to scent or artisan to artisan. What a dilemma! What do other think about whether you finish one soap before you move on to the next one or whether you rotate within you collection. And, if you rotate, how do you choose what to shave with on any given day? - Thanks

For those of us who like variety, Freedberg's approach might not be all that great. I like to choose based on how I'm feeling, weather, why I'm shaving (going to work, going out with friends, etc.), and what I'm using (a straight, a Feather AC, a safety razor). But but but--Con Kazantzidis of shavetheman did a video where he explained that most of the softer soaps, including Proraso, Catie's, Ginger's Garden, etc., have a shelf life which is indicated on the container by an embossed icon of a container with its lid raised and a number--12, 24, etc. That means it should be used, once open, within that number of months, 12 or 24 or 6 or whatever. Now that I know this, I am making an effort to go through my soaps before they get "stale" or whatever happens after the expiration date arrives. I mention it because Freedberg's approach solves the staleness problem, but also because if you rotate, as I do, it's good to keep in mind that these things have to be used up within a certain time, supposedly.

Rotation makes it fun!
I use my top favorite soap, Mystic Water, at least two times a week. I rotate the scents as well. My other favorites like Stirling and Reef Point I also use every week and then I try to toss in one odd soap from my bedroom drawer (where I keep the stuff that I don't have any space for in the bathroom) once a week.

My long term plan is to only have maybe five or six different soap labels (but many different scents), but before I reach to that goal I want to try as many different soaps as possible.

My "must have" soaps right now is Mystic Water, Stirling, Reef Point, Shaver Heaven, Barrister&Mann and maybe Catie's Bubbles. Cold River Soapworks could also make it to the list. I had one (Puro Fresco) that I sold. A top performer, but I didn't like the scent. I have two new soaps from Larrry coming in the next few days.

I'm a fan of Michael Freedberg's video's. He always insists that you finish one soap before you start a new one. The problem I have is that I have accumulated so many wonderful soaps and creams that I can't decide to finish a soap or rotate from scent to scent or artisan to artisan. What a dilemma! What do other think about whether you finish one soap before you move on to the next one or whether you rotate within you collection. And, if you rotate, how do you choose what to shave with on any given day? - Thanks

I have over 100 different soaps of all kinds and price levels and I love using whatever I am in the mood for on any particular day. Thsi hobby is such an addiction but a fun one filled with pleasure. The new "artisan" soaps are taking over and dominating the market. I think the best are from Catie's Bubbles and Shaver Heaven but I also love Phoenix Soaps and Razorock. None however can out perform Martin de Candre and despite the price, these soaps will out last all the "croaps" out there. It is amazing that I have used these soaps may times and they still look like they have never been used. This is a great time to be a Wet Shaver as there are several exciting products out there and the prices seem to be coming down. All the venders online are great to deal with but I am fortunate enough to be able to take a train ride from New Jersey to New York and visit Pasteur's Pharmacy located on East 34th Street near Madison Avenue. Leon and the boys have just about every shaving and grooming product you can think of and that is where I buy most of my soaps and blades. The prices there are just as good if not better than the online venders and another advantage is that you smell the soaps and see what they look like. It is absolute Nirvana.

I am definitely a rotator.  I have a few soaps that i reach for more often than others, but generally I make my decision based on weather, mood, etc...  Its a very complicated formula.  Ah who am I kidding, I just grab at random.  

When I look at my soaps I just choose which ever I'm drawn to at that moment. That's not the case with my aftershave it has to compliment or match my soap.

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I'm a big fan of Michael Freedberg, consider him to be very knowledgeable and think that he does a great job conveying that knowledge. However I know that Michael Freedberg is much more disciplined than I am. With the exception of traveling, I pretty much bounce between a couple of "on deck" soaps or creams until something else catches my fancy.

Right now, I'm enjoying NOS AOS Sandalwood soap, MWF and Soap Commander's last two seasonal scents (Renewal and Gusto). As the summer heats up, I'll switch to C.O. Bigelow, Ingram and who knows what.

I rotate in no particular order, just whatever I'm in the mood for.

Indeed. I usually shave just before bed (after my shower) and at that point I will decide on a scent. If I cannot figure one out I just reach for what's left of my brain bowl of MdC.

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