Shaving Equipment Hierarchy

Now, having said that, the brush really is important to me.  I face lather and like a really good scrub.  Only boar brushes do that for me but it is probably more of a luxury element than a necessity.

Not to derail the thread, but have you ever tried a Shavemac D01 2-Band knot in Bulb. Set at the correct loft and density, they have the strongest backbone of any brush that I've tried, including boars and they don't splay as much as boars. Fantastic scrub. Unfortunately, Shavemac no longer offers custom brushes, but if you could ever pick one up, I'd highly recommend it.

I’m prone to give more importance to the software rather than the hardware part. But if I look back when my technique was still green, probably it would have been the opposite.
I can achieve identical results with either a Dorco PL602 or a tamahagane kamisori, I can build the same luxurious lather with a worn Omega boar or a handtied unicorn hair knot, but I always feel meh when there isn’t that plus coming from a good shaving soap. For how long and how nice my skin - and my nose - are left are the two things I value the most nowadays in our lovely hobby, so #1 soap (and #2 AS) is my answer

Most of us have many razors that we are comfortable with and several that are our favorites. The majority of shaving enthusiasts, have the technique and muscle memory to shave with nearly any razor...good or bad (subjective). Also, many of us can notice very subtle differences between blades, in razors that we are familiar with and like. For me, the bottom line is if you put a dull blade in nearly any razor...you will get a bad shave, regardless of the razor and the slickness of the soap. With that logic, and assuming you are an experienced shaver, using a razor which you like... the blade will determine the quality of the shave. Once you have a "go to" razor, then it is the blade and soap in combination which will determine the outcome and quality of your shave.

Most of us have many razors that we are comfortable with and several that are our favorites. The majority of shaving enthusiasts, have the technique and muscle memory to shave with nearly any razor...good or bad (subjective). Also, many of us can notice very subtle differences between blades, in razors that we are familiar with and like. For me, the bottom line is if you put a dull blade in nearly any razor...you will get a bad shave, regardless of the razor and the slickness of the soap. With that logic, and assuming you are an experienced shaver, using a razor which you like... the blade will determine the quality of the shave. Once you have a "go to" razor, then it is the blade and soap in combination which will determine the outcome and quality of your shave.

! ^10x

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For achieving minimum functional outcomes, on a given day:

1. Razor
   
2. Blade
   
3. Soap
   
4. Brush
   

For achieving high duration BBS, repeatable on a daily basis, with no lasting skin issues or discomfort:

1. Razor + Blade combination
   
2. Soap base
   
3. Post care regimen
   
4. Brush
   
5. Skin prep pre-shave
   

For extracting maximum enjoyment and immersion in the overall experience of a shave session:

1. Razor + Blade combination
   
2. Soap base and scent combination
   
3. Brush
   
4. Post splash with matching or complimentary scent
   

I typically oscillate between optimizing for the last two sets of hierarchy. Sometimes I will sacrifice a bit of performance or post shave care for a captivating scent. At other times I might optimize for repeatable BBS outcomes and duration, regardless of sensory preferences.

Now, having said that, the brush really is important to me.  I face lather and like a really good scrub.  Only boar brushes do that for me but it is probably more of a luxury element than a necessity.

Not to derail the thread, but have you ever tried a Shavemac D01 2-Band knot in Bulb. Set at the correct loft and density, they have the strongest backbone of any brush that I've tried, including boars and they don't splay as much as boars. Fantastic scrub. Unfortunately, Shavemac no longer offers custom brushes, but if you could ever pick one up, I'd highly recommend it.

Rudy Vey can make you a custom brush with any Shavemac knot.  90% of my brushes Rudy made and 80% of those are with Shavemac knots.

I think the best razor(s) can allow me to have subpar "other" factors. So, a razor is the most important thing, for me. I can use such a razor with any brush and pretty much any soap and still get a decent shave. But if I use a crap razor, I can't get a good shave no matter what else I use.

That said, I have used one blade (Gillette Platinum with the black ink) for 99.854% of my shaves over the past 10.5 years. Began testing a few other blades, and still satisfactory (although not as good)... So yeah, razor is #1 in my book.
Go figure, my Acquisition Disorder is primarily focused on soaps.
As for aftershaves, it seems as long as they have alcohol and the other ingredients don't bother my face, there isn't really that much difference in performance (scent aside)... It isn't going to make or break the overall result.

For achieving minimum functional outcomes, on a given day:

1. Razor
   
2. Blade
   
3. Soap
   
4. Brush
   

For achieving high duration BBS, repeatable on a daily basis, with no lasting skin issues or discomfort:

1. Razor + Blade combination
   
2. Soap base
   
3. Post care regimen
   
4. Brush
   
5. Skin prep pre-shave
   

For extracting maximum enjoyment and immersion in the overall experience of a shave session:

1. Razor + Blade combination
   
2. Soap base and scent combination
   
3. Brush
   
4. Post splash with matching or complimentary scent
   

I typically oscillate between optimizing for the last two sets of hierarchy. Sometimes I will sacrifice a bit of performance or post shave care for a captivating scent. At other times I might optimize for repeatable BBS outcomes and duration, regardless of sensory preferences.

Yeah, I can latch onto this, too.

Now, having said that, the brush really is important to me.  I face lather and like a really good scrub.  Only boar brushes do that for me but it is probably more of a luxury element than a necessity.

Not to derail the thread, but have you ever tried a Shavemac D01 2-Band knot in Bulb. Set at the correct loft and density, they have the strongest backbone of any brush that I've tried, including boars and they don't splay as much as boars. Fantastic scrub. Unfortunately, Shavemac no longer offers custom brushes, but if you could ever pick one up, I'd highly recommend it.

Rudy Vey can make you a custom brush with any Shavemac knot.  90% of my brushes Rudy made and 80% of those are with Shavemac knots.

Not sure Rudy will be able to source the knots as Bernd might have been implying that he may be closing down, for good, from my understanding if he can't find a viable solution to maintain Shavemac. If this were to happen, then it would be a great loss regarding brushes. 




This is from another forum:

From Rudy Vey,

I was speaking with Bernd in the last days, he has written a little statement for us to clarify the situation, here it is:

"How Shavemac can continue?

Dear customers, after the announcement that the Shavemac configurator will be closed, I have received many questions about whether and how Shavemac can continue. This depends largely on two factors:

1. will you, dear customers, continue to buy shaving brushes from Shavemac even without the configurator? I plan to introduce a fixed range of brushes on 01.03.2024. This would be comprised of the most popular configurations from the last few years. This should reflect all my experience and expertise.

2. we want to find more specialized dealers as sales partners to get enough reach for our products. This is a prerequisite for Shavemac to be able to operate economically. If both things happen, there is a good chance that Shavemac will continue and can be placed in new hands. Then a Shavemac "Made in Germany" with the same quality and excellence would be guaranteed in the long term.

Bernd Blos"

Rudy can get the knots from Shavemac.  He is about to place a large order in a few weeks.