How long has it been since you bought new soap or cream?

[brothers]

It's a cycle, or a learning curve, or more accurately, an acquisition curve. Supposedly we buy fewer shaving soaps and/or shaving creams as time goes along, until we discover we haven't bought anything for a good while, and don't expect to. In my case, it's tapered off greatly since I got the recipe to make my own. But still, to my dismay I find it difficult to actually stop giving in to the urge to buy something for weeks or months or even years. I'm psychoanalyzing myself now, and I'm getting there. How about you? Who's got the record for actually not buying any shaving soaps or creams for a very long time? To answer my own question - Saturday I bought the Acca Kappa Cedro Shaving Cream.

[Thalay Sagar]

It has been a while but I just ordered a new puck this weekend of the new Floris No 89 (it was on sale). We will see

[Rufus]

Two weeks ago I bought a stick of DR Harris lavender, as I'll be on the road for 3 weeks. I didn't need to buy the stick, as I have plenty of tubes of shave creams I could have taken, but I wanted to try the stick for a change.

[wvbias]

In December 2012 I ordered two pucks
of Harris soap, Windsor and Marlbough.

I swore to myself that I would not order anything
in 2013. I swore in vain. Last summer i ordered
a tub of Taylor's Coconut cream and a tub of Cella.

I immediately forgave myself.


Terry

[jww]

Two weeks ago I bought a stick of DR Harris lavender, as I'll be on the road for 3 weeks. I didn't need to buy the stick, as I have plenty of tubes of shave creams I could have taken, but I wanted to try the stick for a change.

Same time period for me, however, the soap was DR Harris almond soap.

[Squire]

No reason not to pick up some more stuff, I mean, I will eventually use it, right?

[brothers]

That's where it all begins!

[ShadowsDad]

I see the operating word here as "bought".

When was MDC Fougere first released? That's when. It's been awhile. I'm actually trying to use up some items and get some room in my cabinet. The problem is not that what I'm using up is terrible. Just the opposite in fact. But the products are orphans and will probably never get replaced. There are lots of really good soaps today, but I have only one face once a day. How many do I need?

I guess reality has set in and the "kid" having been released into the candy store has realized he simply can't eat it all.

[Squire]

How many do I need?

What's need got to do with it?

[Tinman]

I've used 18 tubes, jars, and pucks since I decided to clean out the storage drawer. Three more to go before I start buying again. This is not counting a goodly supply of Arko sticks which I use exclusively while traveling.

[Squire]

Ah, another Arko fan, I found a full carton of 12 while packing for the move.

[JRTASTER]

Within the past 6 months C&S Oxford and Cambridge and the new Valobra pucks joined my collection of soaps.
Purchased Mystic Water within the last 6-9 months as well, but disliked it and it was retired quickly.
In the past two-three years Haslinger, DRH Arlington, AoS (tallow) and MWF were added to my rotation.
Of the soaps regularly used five-six years ago none remain in my arsenal today.
That said, even with the onslaught of introductions by the up and coming "artisan" soap makers, my new soap
purchasing days are clearly over:
* can't really imagine a new soap significantly BETTER than C&S, AoS tallow or Valobra
pucks appearing soon
* likewise, the shave/lather qualities of MWF and DRH (and Haslinger too) are too unique
and enjoyable to think other soaps are likely to equal or surpass them in my affection
* my shave techniques are such that it is unlikely a new soap will dramatically improve the
quality, closeness, or comfort of my shaves
* living on a semi-fixed income will limit discretionary spending on a category where 7-8
perfectly satisfactory choices already exist and are at hand
* I never really suffered badly from the familiar AD's and even temporary lapses seem to
occur ever less frequently
The most significant factor is simply an increasing tendency and desire to simplify. More than ever, it's clear to me that less
is more.

[Squire]

My mind tells me to simplify and I believe I'm following that dictate, so long as I ignore the boxes of stuff in the closet.

[wvbias]

If one is not careful it can get to
the point where you're not enjoying what
you do have because you're worrying
over what you don't have.

This can apply to anything in life.


Terry

[churchilllafemme]

Although I am generally trying to move from creams to soaps only, I did just buy a new tube of Acqua di Parma Colonia shaving cream because I have been wanting to try it and I was able to get it for a good price.

[Squire]

That's the spirit John.

[wvbias]

Sometimes it's hard not to add something
new to the collection.


Terry

[Squire]

Yes, when we acquire something we may have to acquire something else just to keep things in balance.

[brothers]

If one is not careful it can get to
the point where you're not enjoying what
you do have because you're worrying
over what you don't have.

This can apply to anything in life.


Terry

Terry, this is profound.

[Squire]

Terry one of the advantages of age is we cease to worry about stuff that don't matter.