SMF

OK, I'll admit it, I am a guilty shopper. I quite often will buy things I want and then later feel bad about it because really, I hate being wasteful.

The other night I was looking over all of my shaving 'stuff' and I thought to myself, "this is just ridiculous". I have enough shaving soap and cream to last me until I am middle aged, several shaving brushes and razors as well as many colognes and EdTs. Of course, there are other people here like DrP who really are a lost cause, but even so, I feel bad about having SO much shaving gear. I don't know why really - this is a hobby of sorts (and hobbies are not rational things) which I take great pleasure from. I use everything, there's nothing at the moment I'd feel happy selling and I'm in no sort of financial debt or difficulty as a result. So why do I feel bad, and does anyone else get this?

Gareth,

It is a crazy hobby but all I can do is recommend that you lie down and wait until these feelings pass. It happens to the best of gents.

Regards,

Bill

You will get over it, especially after reading about a new shave cream that I bought or the new brush that Gordon tried, or........

Gareth,

I hear ya. In my case, it's probably a Catholic thing.


Ren

Hmm, that does sound bad. If it would help, I could take a bunch of that stuff that you have. Send me a list and I'll let you know how I can help.

Guilt? What's that?

Oh gosh no! But, if you feel bad you could always pass some of it my way.
On second thought, sometimes I get overwhelmed when it comes time to choose my gear for that day's shave. I have six razors, three brushes and about 15 soaps/12 creams. Add to that five aftershaves and three balms. By no means is this a large collection (compared to some of you guys,) but I still get overwhelmed.

When I need a mood pick me up, sometimes it helps to buy shaving gear. I recommend that you buy this, right now
It will make you feel better right away
Hair of the dog, Gareth

Hair of the dog indeed, Zach. Funny you should mention that particular product as I was thinking of buying it! Some good words have been said about it in Another Place, and it is said to be a reasonable replacement for the old Harris milk.......

.....alas I digress.

Second time this week I've said "don't tempt fate"
Gareth, I look forward to your review of this product!

I also feel quite guilty about what I have and what I want to have. Sometimes in a vain attempt to quell my self-loathing I buy some good soaps or scents for my wife so that they show up at the same time as yet another wetshaving purchase. This helps for a few minutes.
Another thing that helps is knowing that our vendors rely on us buying far, far more than we shall ever need: if we only bought what would get us by, the proliferation of shaving specialty stores, soapmakers, and vendors would certainly decrease and perhaps even reverse itself. So, Gareth, do you really want to be part of running age-old firms and entrepeneurial ventures alike into the ground? No? Then buy, man, buy!

Regards,

First, Gareth, I don't think you have a thing to feel guilty about. The D.R. Harris soap you sold me was a more than generous amount for the price; and you were very fair in the Penhaligon's library sale (which I'm still enjoying, in addition to the soap).

So your generosity should assuage any feelings of guilt you have.

I don't feel guilty for the amount of stuff I have. I don't think. I'm right at the point where I have enough variety to keep things interesting without it being overkill.

I've also enjoyed putting together shave kits for newbie shavers and for folks in the military. A nice, cleaned up razor, a soap or cream, and a couple of packs of blades are a good way to repay the universe for everything.

Gareth,
When considering a "hobby", think of those poor souls who collect used postage stamps!!! All they can do is LOOK at them. You can look, touch, feel, smell, and USE the fruits of your hobby.....and have enough variey not to get bored. Secondly, see Squire's post above.

TBoner wrote:I also feel quite guilty about what I have and what I want to have. Sometimes in a vain attempt to quell my self-loathing I buy some good soaps or scents for my wife so that they show up at the same time as yet another wetshaving purchase.

Snicker.... Right after I spent a C Note on Wool Fat, I Immediately ordered my wife 9 bars of Wool Fat bath soap. She liked it....

not me. i will admit i have so many razors now that it often gets time consuming choosing which one i will be shaving with each morning. as for other shaving items, i only own about 4 brushes and keep around 5 different soaps in the house at any one time (from the same person who makes her own soap).

I've found spending money on a woman usually smooths the road.

This "Hobby" is very beneficial. Can you smell good while collecting postage stamps? Can you feel good while collecting coins. Can your pocket book afford buying and maintaining a Harley Davidson Motor Cycle.

I enjoy the nostalgic use of an old razor, the smell and sound of using a brush and a DE razor, and the wonderfull feel after I shave and use a quality After Shave Balm or After Shave Lotion.

I also enjoy the actual shave itself. How many can say that?

How many have used the razor I've used if I use the Open Comb made in 1920. What was their life like, what were their goals and ambitions? How did they live?

I don't feel guilt at all. I do wonder at the history in which this particular razor has participated. Has it seen war, famine, or fame? We will never know. But what a wonderfull thought.

I enjoy this hobby and nothing or no one can change that.

Enjoy your shave...

Oscar,
Well said. I enjoy using a razor manufactured in the same year I was!
How long would I be able to stare at a stamp printed that year?
Gareth, are you feeling better yet?

Oscar,

Beautiful words.

Squire,

Yours ain't bad either!

Regards,

Bill

Gareth, First of all, that GR stuff in NOT a substitute for the old D R Harris's A/S Milk, so do not buy it with that in mind. It's a good A/S BALM if that is what you want......otherwise, no. But about the guilt thing....no, not personally, although I do occasionally feel vaguely guilty about not using a product I have for long time....or a brush. You know, "...jeez..this is kind of going to waste....". that sort of thing. However, Corey Greenberg ( author of shaveblog.com ) used to wring his hands regularly, more in the manner that you describe. He had this horrible inner conflict between some sort of minimalist/populist self and this curiosity driven, and self indulgent self....and round and round they'd go ( chuckle ). I may be too self disciplined to be a real shavegeek ( or too poor ), or I've simply been at it so long that I've reached some sort of weird balance with the whole trip. Anyway, it is ( we claim ) a 'hobby', and as you say, "hobbies are not rational".....soooo....what do you have to say about that new PJ2 Best, hm?
Regards,
Gordon