7 Years into the hobby...

I got into wet shaving when my electric razor broke about 7 years ago. Needless to say stumbling across the world of wet shaving has cost much more than a lifetime of replacement electrics but I thoroughly enjoy this hobby.

I've gone through many of the AD's, most frequently going through various software AD's as well as brushes.

When a soap gets a buzz in the community I tend to "want" or "need" to try it even though what I have is perfectly fine. Frankly, if I was stuck with Tabac soap for life, I'd be fine.

As for brushes I had intended to get it down to 7 and am at 9. It's a mix of higher end brushes and synthetics. Given the cost of synthetics I became cured of SBAD!

This brings me to razors. My set up is a rotation of the One Bade, ATT SE and ATT DE. I have others that I keep or use for travel but don't need to add another. Interested in Wolfman and the related BBS1 but wouldn't consider the secondary market.

Stumbling on that shaving site eventually got me to basenotes and fragrance AD... I actually am still into fragrances but downsizing is tough as I really enjoy a variety of scents.

Now I think I am at the point where I can refine the collection from time to time but mostly stop acquiring and enjoy what I have!

We all entered that gate with flame edged gothic letters SURRENDER ALL HOPE,YE WHO ENTER with visions of economy, better shaves or that ephemeral repudiation of girlyman accouterments and behaviour. I thought assembling a decent kit akin to a Soviet 7 year plan. I woke up one day and largely through the largess of other shavers had all this stuff
and had tried more soaps than an afternoon at a wine appreciation class. Some of us eventually do a partial retreat to proven favorites for various equally optimistic goals. I have.
But I do not regret one product- except a EBAY arteesian soap scented with Nag Champa that sent me howling into a cold shower half dressed. I still wish to acquire two more Paladins and my serendipity estate/garage sale of a straight for $2 has me staring once more into the abyss of a strop and long learning curve. If it stares back I may step back,or
leap THE ROAD GOES ON FOREVOR AND THE PARY NEVER ENDS- Robert Earl Keene
It's still a lot of fun!

Great thread and thanks for sharing your experience!

I'm still fairly early into this hobby at about 2.5 years, but find it very interesting to hear the experiences of those who have many more years invested in traditional wet shaving. I still find myself in the throws of multiple Acquisition Disorders. It's nice to know that there might be some reprieve at some point. Things have slowed down for me to some extent, but I have yet to settle into a more simple setup. I am enjoying the variety available at a relatively small investment. There certainly are more expensive interests that I could and have found myself involved.

After more than eleven years in this hobby, I find I wax and wane, as far as ADs go. I just go with the flow and enjoy the ride and learning experience.

Congratulations!

I tend to collect but don't downsize much, but I find selling off expensive hardware to be the easiest to sell because selling off cheaper items tends to be more work than it is worth. Typically I'd rather just PIF cheaper items and save the hassle of listing it and collecting money. I guess it just depends on the mood I'm in the moment I need to unload stuff.

I have accumulated so much over the last 7 years plus of wetshaving. I am pretty sure lot of the stuff is used less than 10 times. The collection does not include the prototypes that either made it or did not make it to production. When the counter gets cluttered I stowed them away in boxes. I got into this is to save money I thought

I have a habit of building up an inventory, then purging it and then building it up and purging it again.

I didn't get into this to spend money either.

At first it was just trying different DE razors. Then blades. Then SE razors. Then vintage soaps. Then modern soaps. Then brushes. Then aftershave. Then I just thought I'd try that new modern razor. That new brush looks nice too. It is a different size, shape, material. I'm sure it's the one thing missing from me being able to have the perfect shave. Then, hey, if that's discontinued I might never be able to buy it again when I need a new one. Ooh look a new improved soap. I bet that's subtly better than the last new improved soap!

If I don't buy a few backups that might cost more when I need another one too.

Curse all them dang hoarders and band wagon jumpers! They don't even know why they're buying all the stuff - that I can't buy because they're buying it all up! They probably have back ups of their back ups that they don't even use. I better get on the wait list. Then when I get one - then I'll finally be able to have that perfect shave that costs me less money!! Then I'll be all set! Maybe I'll get a back up...

Then I look around and think, I could shave with different stuff every single day and never use the same combination of stuff - ever. Like exponentially more than I need. Then like Nathan said. I'll sell some stuff some day when I have time, or when I get around to it, but I'll probably lose money on it. So why bother?

Ooh look a new thingy!
I wonder how that is?

Hobbies are great.

I didn't get into this to spend money either.

At first it was just trying different DE razors. Then blades. Then SE razors. Then vintage soaps. Then modern soaps. Then brushes. Then aftershave. Then I just thought I'd try that new modern razor. That new brush looks nice too. It is a different size, shape, material. I'm sure it's the one thing missing from me being able to have the perfect shave. Then, hey, if that's discontinued I might never be able to buy it again when I need a new one. Ooh look a new improved soap. I bet that's subtly better than the last new improved soap!

If I don't buy a few backups that might cost more when I need another one too.

Curse all them dang hoarders and band wagon jumpers! They don't even know why they're buying all the stuff - that I can't buy because they're buying it all up! They probably have back ups of their back ups that they don't even use. I better get on the wait list. Then when I get one - then I'll finally be able to have that perfect shave that costs me less money!! Then I'll be all set! Maybe I'll get a back up...

Then I look around and think, I could shave with different stuff every single day and never use the same combination of stuff - ever. Like exponentially more than I need. Then like Nathan said. I'll sell some stuff some day when I have time, or when I get around to it, but I'll probably lose money on it. So why bother?

Ooh look a new thingy!
I wonder how that is?

Hobbies are great.

Todd, I literally laughed out loud as I read your post! I have to admit that I've had those same thoughts(discussions?) in my own head. At least we're not talking about collecting cars, motorcycles, or "insert-expensive-hobby-of-choice-here."