What catches your eye?

I’ve been wet shaving for over 10 years now and I’m pretty much set in my ways as far as razor and soap, brush and bowl. Every now and then something catches my eye and I might consider buying but then I find it’s either sold out or after additional research I’m not interested anymore. 

Razor wise, I’ve been thinking about SE specifically the Blackland Vector but it’s sold out in Canada and I’m not ordering from the US for various reasons. I’ll wait and if it’s meant to be it’ll come back in stock at Top Of The Chain. We’ll see if it does and if I’m still interested at the time. 

I was initially interested in Henson razors but after doing more research I don’t think I will pursue that razor. First I don’t really care for aluminum. I also don’t care for hype. Do I really need space station grade tolerances in a razor? And are space station tolerances really any tighter than any other manufacturing tolerances or do we just imagine them to be? It’s rocket science after all. A couple of other things confirmed that I’d not try this razor. I listened to a lather talk podcast where the guys interviewed Henson’s marketing guy and I was surprised to learn that prior to deciding to make a DE razor they had a long track record of no history in DE razors or wet shaving but had spare capacity and decided they could make a better razor than all those razors they’d never used or even knew existed up until then. Then I checked their website. They’ve got a bunch of pictures/videos of guys dry shaving substantial whisker growth. Who does that? Had they ever shaved?? Then there was the construction details with tungsten bushings and brass posts (Ti version) and the corrosion thing. So not for me but as the saying goes, YMMV so if the Henson works for you that’s great. I’ll stick with my terrestrial manufacturing tolerance made razors. For now. 

Anything caught your eye?

Some soaps, extraordinary brush, rarely a razor. Not being aloof but pretty damn happy with current kit fully realizing soaps just getting better by the second

Receive a lot of hardware shipments, leading to accusations of trying to sneak purchase through but honestly, they for foreign buyers.  The trend to less finished razors has decidedly left me entirely disinterested. There a few innovative designs such as Tatara or Leaf about but very few. Shave solely out of necessity, not a hobbyist so right now, if it works for me, it is in rotation; if innovative and seemingly addressing an issue, will give it a go but fad of the week fails to pique interest...just where find self.

That's the problem when you've been buying for a long time. Eventually you reach a point where it's just meh for most of what you see. Still a lot of soaps out there I haven't tried and creams, but at this point I think I'd like to stick to soaps. Too much I need to use at this point. Brushes were always my first love, and if I see a brush for a really good price I'll usually bite. I lament that it hasn't been as easy finding brushes I like, but it's better for my pocketbook. Don't go out of my way for artisan handles, but they're mighty nice to look at. Also don't go that route as I'm not keen on the knot selections. Limited edition brushes I never got have caught my eye more of late. Semogue LE 09, Rooney 2007 LE are two that I remember. A Polo 10 in Best or Super at the right price and an Emperor 3 could turn my head to complete their respective sets. Then it's always nice when a Pre-Vulfix Simpson makes an apperance. A Milk Churn 3 could get me to drop cash as long as it's not insanely priced. I only ever saw one of those. Razors have seen an uptick for me as of late, but try to keep it within reasonable means. Whatever that is. It's past what most people would call reasonable I know that. lol

I envy you Marko. It sounds like you're zeroing in on your shave nirvana. If you're satisfied with your brush, soap, razor, and bowl, consider yourself blessed. It must be restful to be able to turn a blind eye on the constant stream of new offerings. I suspect you have a lot more free time than you did seven or eight years back when you were first investigating all that was out there. Question now is, What will you fill all this free time with? 

Is this how hobbies end?

There are very many good razors on the market and I feel like every possible preference is covered well - you just have to find the ones that suit you best and then there is probably no need to search further. When a new razor launches I find now that I can only be interested if it really stands out significantly in some way, and I’m not sure any of them do anything that isn’t already done at least as well by existing razors.

The Blackland Vector definitively settled the SE razor debate for me, and I don’t see how something else could be better or give more pleasure in use. For DE razors I am well covered with the Blackland Tradere OC and the H&S P076, and I have a H&S Ti 083 on the way which I assume will be the same as the P076 but slightly more efficient - these work beautifully for me and are very enjoyable in different ways. For adjustables I have the Rocnel Sailor, which for me is perfect and also very satisfying to use. Again, I don’t see what could be meaningfully better than these for my needs. I have other very good razors that I also like to use sometimes - for example if I want a milder shave - and so my occasional use needs are covered and I don’t see any reason to find something slightly better for a task that I only want sometimes. I also have plenty of razors that are nearly as good as the ones I mentioned, so if I just want variety I have it - but I don’t really need those and it would make no sense to look for more like that.

If something as ground-breaking as the Vector happens again then things could change, but that seems unlikely. If the Janus came back that might be interesting enough to try, but would it really give me more pleasure than my Sailor? I don’t see how it could give me better shaves.

I think I have also settled on the brush that suits me perfectly and gives me great pleasure - Oumo with their “Silk” knot, and I have a few of these now. When I want something scrubbier then a Shavemac D01 2-band or a Semogue SOC Mistura are perfect. For a synthetic the Blackland aluminium brushes are perfect, and the Il Marchese Elitario synthetic brushes are excellent when I want a bigger knot. And for soaps I have landed on a few that perform extremely well and are scents that I strongly love - Acqua di Parma, Noble Otter Rawr, B&M 42, MdC Rose and Vetyver, Paolo Barrasso Red and Blue. At this point it makes no sense for me to search further.

It was a long and expensive journey to get to this point, but I don’t get interested by new stuff any longer, unless someone can tell me that it is absolutely and significantly superior to what I have - and even then I wouldn’t feel any need to even try it until opinions are long-settled. Honestly I am pretty sceptical these days about the new stuff people rave about.

I’ll tell you what catches my eye; threads like this one.  That’s what keeps me logging in and checking back.  I’ll admit to being quite jaded with all the marketing hype.  Many have come and gone. Some I miss.  Most I didn’t know.  I’ve learned that I’m never the first on the bus anymore, and I don’t miss it.  I’ve become friends with some of my favorite vendors and their offerings are excellent and I see no need to wander.  There are still things that catch my eye though.  New scent releases from Shawn Maher at Chatillon Lux get my attention.  He has a knack to please my nostrils and I pay attention.  I also still watch artisan brush makers.  Some of them have left workaday standards in the dust and are creating masterpieces of resin and wood but I’ve yet to buy one with a knot installed, reserving that very personal performance variable to me.  (Yeah, I’m that weirdo with  probably 20 knots in a box under my desk)-  when I see a handle I love it’s generally because of a knot I have to stuff into it. So brushes….. And finally I don’t think soaps and scents will ever get boarding to me but I sure have put the skids on all the new releases and new formulae especially when I know that Stirling will offer me a great shave for  quarter of the cost of some other brands.  I do very much enjoy reading about others experience with products though and spend considerable time on the “what soap/cream” thread.  Odd that I don’t spend much time on the “what shaving brush” thread given my love of a good brush.

I’ve been wet shaving for over 10 years now and I’m pretty much set in my ways as far as razor and soap, brush and bowl. Every now and then something catches my eye and I might consider buying but then I find it’s either sold out or after additional research I’m not interested anymore. 

Razor wise, I’ve been thinking about SE specifically the Blackland Vector but it’s sold out in Canada and I’m not ordering from the US for various reasons. I’ll wait and if it’s meant to be it’ll come back in stock at Top Of The Chain. We’ll see if it does and if I’m still interested at the time. 

I was initially interested in Henson razors but after doing more research I don’t think I will pursue that razor. First I don’t really care for aluminum. I also don’t care for hype. Do I really need space station grade tolerances in a razor? And are space station tolerances really any tighter than any other manufacturing tolerances or do we just imagine them to be? It’s rocket science after all. A couple of other things confirmed that I’d not try this razor. I listened to a lather talk podcast where the guys interviewed Henson’s marketing guy and I was surprised to learn that prior to deciding to make a DE razor they had a long track record of no history in DE razors or wet shaving but had spare capacity and decided they could make a better razor than all those razors they’d never used or even knew existed up until then. Then I checked their website. They’ve got a bunch of pictures/videos of guys dry shaving substantial whisker growth. Who does that? Had they ever shaved?? Then there was the construction details with tungsten bushings and brass posts (Ti version) and the corrosion thing. So not for me but as the saying goes, YMMV so if the Henson works for you that’s great. I’ll stick with my terrestrial manufacturing tolerance made razors. For now. 

Anything caught your eye?

What Catches my eye Karve Titanium and as well Blutt Rasur Ti once they become available this would be really nice to have in collection…

Also Wolfman Pineapple Handle I would like to have one sometime down the road..

Overall I’m happy what I have and I’m that type of induvidual if I could have all I truly wouldn’t want to lol as I have my sought collection what I personally like and enjoy but hey YMMV…

As per SE razors I’m not into it yet and I feel would be too agressive to my face and prefer to stick to DE Blades..

But I can Certainly Reccomend you Blutt DE to try in .86 No Regrets getting one..

Best 

Alan H

There's always something. Mentioning the Sterling reminded me how much I liked the soap I used for that. Don't remember where I put it now or what flavor it was. Have a sample too of another I mean to use. I could well be at the point of not needing anything else, but I have to keep looking for that next thing that will tempt me. lol

I have my eye on a shaving bowl from this guy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheCaYuenWorks...ion&page=1

I like his Dark Nebula Pattern in a large size. (Page 3)

Other than that, I think I'm set. I've just returned to wet shaving but already have a razor I just love (Claymore Evolution), several soaps that are nice, great brush (Executive Shaving Company Ultimate G4), and the necessary odds and ends.

But I sure am enjoying the posts here. I belong to a Photograph forum site very similar to this one... tons of wisdom condensed into font and photos.

I have my eye on a shaving bowl from this guy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheCaYuenWorks...ion&page=1

I like his Dark Nebula Pattern in a large size. (Page 3)

Other than that, I think I'm set. I've just returned to wet shaving but already have a razor I just love (Claymore Evolution), several soaps that are nice, great brush (Executive Shaving Company Ultimate G4), and the necessary odds and ends.

But I sure am enjoying the posts here. I belong to a Photograph forum site very similar to this one... tons of wisdom condensed into font and photos.

Nice lather bowls.