Why Keep Buying More?

I was struck by a post this morning from another site. A member had recently bought an unnamed modern DE razor, and talked about how it was a good shaver, and it's various pros and cons. Fair enough... But this member already owns a Wolfman, his very top razor of choice. Even before buying the other razor, he never seriously expected it to top the Wolfman in any category. And indeed, he was right... To him, the other razor didn't beat the Wolfman. 

That's what struck me... Why would anybody here buy a razor that they are already fairly certain isn't going beat their current setup? And even after they know the lesser razor isn't going to be their daily driver, they're still satisfied with the purchase. 

A lot of guys are like that here. Often rotating in a razor they know isn't going to give them as good a shave as their favorite razor.

Why ever shave with anything less than what's going to give you the best result?

I mean, I can see wanting to test other razors you can return or sell without loss if you don't like it. And I understand pass arounds. But I don't understand buying a razor you intend to keep that you don't really believe will beat your current setup, and I understand even less how someone would want to keep a razor they know is inferior in their rotation. Cause in the end, it's all about the result, and the most pleasant and convenient road to that result... Or is it?

Maybe someone can explain...

(02-12-2016, 06:59 AM)Len Wrote: I was struck by a post this morning from another site. A member had recently bought an unnamed modern DE razor, and talked about how it was a good shaver, and it's various pros and cons. Fair enough... But this member already owns a Wolfman, his very top razor of choice. Even before buying the other razor, he never seriously expected it to top the Wolfman in any category. And indeed, he was right... To him, the other razor didn't beat the Wolfman. 

That's what struck me... Why would anybody here buy a razor that they are already fairly certain isn't going beat their current setup? And even after they know the lesser razor isn't going to be their daily driver, they're still satisfied with the purchase. 

A lot of guys are like that here. Often rotating in a razor they know isn't going to give them as good a shave as their favorite razor.

Why ever shave with anything less than what's going to give you the best result?

I mean, I can see wanting to test other razors you can return or sell without loss if you don't like it. And I understand pass arounds. But I don't understand buying a razor you intend to keep that you don't really believe will beat your current setup, and I understand even less how someone would want to keep a razor they know is inferior in their rotation. Cause in the end, it's all about the result, and the most pleasant and convenient road to that result... Or is it?

Maybe someone can explain...

In my case, its about the variety. I also own a Wolfman, with intentions to buy another. However, I am soon intending to buy a OB, which I a fairly certain will not give me better shaves as my WM; but I have no SE's! The OB, IMO, is the best one to get if I'm going to add one. and this is just my approach to this question, and this hobby. I try to build a diverse collection.

I took part in a covert break in at a major chemical company. I have documents proving the American populace received genetic material from magpies in an early GMO experiment backed by corporate America.  IT'S NOT OUR FAULT.

I will shortly possess 4 DEs giving a fair representation of the major types; a EJ 89, Parker open comb, Merkur slant and a Seygus. I have found each can, in
theory offer advantages. The EJ is my daily shaver, Parker and Merkur for situations where I haven't shaved ( dental work ) and the Seygus influences
performance from blades I found unsatisfactory before.
But again, I am exhibiting that curious human trait of justifying obviously irrational behavior like cleaning my dorm room the night before finals. I could get by well enough with any one of these fine razors. But in justification I am helping the shaving community to remain vibrant and innovative. How  more rational can I be?

A lot of new wet shavers get into this to improve their shaves and then it becomes a hobby. It's fun. The Wolfman, for me, does not shave any better than a Weber or even a Progress with all its pot metal but it is a tool of beauty.

I am currently in a group One Branding Haslinger soap for 2016. Five or so brushes and have settled on a Wolfman, Weber and weekday shaves with a Feather AS-D2. The shaves have never been better or more satisfying. When the 'hobby' just gets back to shaving with a few quality products it really becomes in many ways more rewarding...and a relief!

I am guilty of buying razors I like the look of, are part of a family I collect (eg 8 Goodwills , 39 NEWS ,4  Probaks ) or are unique in some way .I've a rotation of 20 razors vintage and modern that changes every few months , there are a few that remain for longer periods  . No one favorite  but favorites for sure , I  am intrigued by the idea of the perfect shave but the razor is only part of that equation along with the prep, soap , blade ,brush ,occasion etc. Some of my razors are good to look at or rare and although the shave may not be stellar I like the razor so I keep it . I enjoy shaving and the hobby is still fairly inexpensive compared to other pursuits, as we like to say YMMV. I have SEs, DEs and injectors in my rotation and for me variety is the spice of life ,some days I shave with the Slim I learned to shave with when I was 16 ,on my birthday I use my birth razor , Sundays are SE days and or when I am feeling nostalgic I'll use a razor that relates to an event, country or date. I always try a new razor when I receive it  because I believe these beautiful old tools are made to be used and I am  the current steward and when I pass someone else will get to enjoy them . Your question made me reflect and I'm happy to share my feelings on this passion of ours.

Glenn

Razors you haven't tried are unknowns.  You don't know if it will/won't work for you until you try it.
Just because an expensive razor may work for some does not mean it will work for all.  It's just something you need to experience for yourself.

(02-12-2016, 08:08 AM)kav Wrote: I took part in a covert break in at a major chemical company. I have documents proving the American populace received genetic material from magpies in an early GMO experiment backed by corporate America.  IT'S NOT OUR FAULT.

Your mad but it's quite funny!

In relation to the actual question posed, personally I do not get it when it comes to hardware, I have found my holy grail in my Mongoose and I have not once felt the need to buy anything else because it works.

However I am a soap guy and I buy way to much soap and some people may say the same about me.

It's what ever floats your boat  have a good day.

I have no clue what the answer would be to this question as I am guilty as sin.  However, we have one member here that does have it figured out, Nick.  Now Nick has not posted in a while due to some personal and health reasons, but while he was posting, this was his shave, everyday, 7 days per week.

Schick E2 Injector with Schick blade (10)
Semogue 1305 boar bristle brush,
Arko shaving soap with hot water lather,
finish with cold water rinse for a CCS!



I have tried this setup on more than one ocassion and wonder why I do not do this everyday.  I guess as they say, variety is the spice of life.

(02-12-2016, 08:54 AM)Mr_Smartepants Wrote: Razors you haven't tried are unknowns.  You don't know if it will/won't work for you until you try it.
Just because an expensive razor may work for some does not mean it will work for all.  It's just something you need to experience for yourself.

This is how I feel about it as well. Same goes for soaps and such. You just don't know until you try. I currently or have owned Mongoose, ATT, Wolfman, and about every vintage you can think of. It got to where I thought my Wolfman was my grail razor. I had no interest in any other and started selling a good bit of my collection. I still have a nice little collection for variety and the joy I get when using them. 

I managed to get a hold of a Merkur Progress and low and behold the poor Wolfman has taken a back seat. All the money I have spent on the above mentioned razors just to find one that can be had for less than half cost of one of them, was the key. Never would have known if I hadn't tried it. Since then I have gotten a Mergress and another custom Progress to keep it company.

(02-12-2016, 06:59 AM)Len Wrote: Why ever shave with anything less than what's going to give you the best result?

Because that's what being a wet-shaving enthusiast is all about—benchmarking not only the razor you use, but all the shave prep, soap, and shaving techniques to achieve a better shave. The permutations of all these aspects is what it's all about.

Freddie, yes...see my post above. The Wolfman is a really wonderful tool and so well built but I also prefer the Merkur Progress.  It's a wonderful adjustable DE.

I was thinking exactly the same thing all week long.  After several years of experimenting with different razors, soaps, creams, blades, techniques, I finally arrived at the right combination of ingredients that resulted in a "Nailed It" shaving experience.  What I have been questioning is where to I go from here?  Why would I deviate from what is for me a "perfect" shave experience?

What I am fairly certain of is that I will continue to experiment and try new things, because lets face it......its fun.  However I am feeling some relief because for me all the variables have now been addressed and are out of the equation.  I can now just enjoy the hobby.

This puts me in a place where I am no longer chasing the elusive BBS shave.  Now I can relax, enjoy the ride, and experiment with new products just for the fun of it : )

Undoubtedly this will result in me buying things I don't need, or will not improve my shaving.  But it will be fun.....and that's enough for me.

I own more than one 9mm, .40, .22, .270, 12 gauge so on and on. 

Is one better?  Do I need more?  I enjoy the collecting and when I tire of a straight or DE I find it a good home. Not so with the guns.

my reason is to seek perfection

(02-12-2016, 09:45 AM)jtmke Wrote: I own more than one 9mm, .40, .22, .270, 12 gauge so on and on. 

Is one better?  Do I need more?  I enjoy the collecting and when I tire of a straight or DE I find it a good home. Not so with the guns.

I've even narrowed that down to my 4 favorite.  But I do collect a lot of ammunition.

I use a wide variety of different razors. Se, DEs, Straights, etc. I can only speak for me, but I have learned the techniques required to get the very best out of every razor I own,whatever it's make or type. I get the same exact results at the end of the shave, no matter which one I use. Whether we're talking the Muhle R41 or an old Tech. Fantastic shaves, always. In my experience, for me, it's the hand that guides the razor, and the mind that learns and employs the proper technique, that gives the results, not the particular razor used. MHO.
Do I have favorites? Yes. I like the way they feel in the hand a little better, or the feel of the shave itself, particularly when using my straights. But none of them give a superior shave to the other.
What I like is the variety. It is absolutely a blast to use so many different tools to do something as basic as shaving. Which is also the reason I have 15 brushes that span the spectrum from boar, to horse, synth and badger. None of those are any better than the others, either. Just different.
Vive la difference. At least for me.

I did it because I was searching for my "perfect" razor. Then realized that the perfect razor was actually more about technique. After that I decided to keep most of the razors (and soaps, brushes, etc.) because I like variety.

To quote George Mallory, "Because it's there."

What a great thread and kudos to the OP for challenging the group's conventional wisdom.

People joke about RAD and SBAD, but it is in fact addictive behavior.  Just like people check their phones constantly to get a little dopamine buzz, shavers get a buzz from buying new gear just because it is different and therefore exciting.  That buzz of pleasure for the unconscious mind is more powerful than their conscious, rational mind telling them it makes no sense to make the purchase.  

Even less rational is reusing an inferior product once it has been proven inferior.  But, as the OP alludes to, that act is not about the best shaving result but about the best potential dopamine buzz, which may come from some new setup, not the old tried and true.

Damn you had to make sense of this ..."disorder"....so basically I,m a dopamine addict...great ..I,ll call 911.