Aesthetics Vs. Utility

I have found over the years that in most categories of shave products once you have found items that work for you, you're done. For example, i have tried many, many razors, but I have a few that work very well for me and I'm done in this category. Likewise with Pre-shave Prep, Razor Blades, Soaps/Creams, and Post-shave applications. The one category where I stray from this philosophy is Brushes. My shave is not dependent on the brush I use as long as it is of good quality. My brush selection within a very broad range will yield a virtually identical shave for me. This is not the case with the other Categories that I've listed. Specifically, I have over 30 brushes and my shave result is not dependent on which brush I use. This is definitely not the case with other categories.

I'm curious if others have had the same experience. Do you acquire brushes because one brush yields better results, or are you simply buying it because its' pretty?

I could have written this. Absolutely agree.

I have acquired a lot of brushes over the years from Somerset Simpsons, Rooney Finest & 2-bands, M&F's, Shavemac's, Thaters and more recently the phenomenal Tuxedo synthetic knots. The brush does not really affect the shave at all. They just get there differently and wonderfully!

These days I am more into utility and, more specifically, fidelity. I don't rotate razors at all everyday anymore. It just didn't help the shaves. Sure it was fun and kept things fresh but the end result is more important. Same with soaps. I won't jump from a GroomingDept to a C&S triple milled O&C the next day.

I'm down to 3 razors that really work for me and I spend a week with each one. Same with soaps. This 'fidelity' certainly helps my shaves.

Every Monday I switch to one of the other razors and soaps and stick with that all week. The variety is with the brushes.

Pretty.

But it has been more an accumulation than a collection. When you've been using them for over a half century if you just buy a few brushes every few years you still end up with a fair selection. And what I have found is if I take care of the brushes they simply last nearly forever. Over half the brushes I own and use are over fifty years old.

In brushes(and true in razors also), performance, ergonomics, and appearance are all important. My morning shave should be relaxing and enjoyable - not a struggle .

I have sold brushes that do not meet all 3 criteria or similar brushes better meet those criteria. Fortunately (or unfortunately for my credit card) there are numerous options with more being added daily that would make my shave enjoyable.

I do have some brushes that are favorites - some because excellent in 2 of my categories.

Thanks to everyone that responded.

Razors = have found 1 or 2 that work best for me.

Brushes = never ending, it seems, as I like to get some custom handles for my photos. However, the knots I am acquiring seem to be very similar large 2-Band ones.

Soaps = have been using one, principally, for the past six years, but I always enjoy trying new ones.

Other than soaps and creams, I'm pretty well done buying shaving gear. I have nine razors, all of which work well for me and five brushes, all of which work well for me. I recently added the fifth brush, a Kent BK8 (I had a BK4 already) but only because I was able to get a new one for about $50 US from Costco in the UK (a friend sent it over). I also have close to 1000 razor blades of the brands that have worked best for me. Like others, I haven't found my brushes to affect the quality of a shave unlike razors, blades, and whatever we're lathering up to shave with. At this stage, all my gear is not only aesthetically pleasing to me (important) but utilitarian as well.

I'm the type of guy who uses something if it works, whether it's a $1,000 item or a $10 item. my $10 razorock plissoft works wonderfully, so I don't really go down that rabbit hole any longer. I will probably pick up 1-2 more synthetic brushes in the future just so I have a small rotation and they're cheap enough.

I'm the type of guy who uses something if it works, whether it's a $1,000 item or a $10 item.  my $10 razorock plissoft works wonderfully, so I don't really go down that rabbit hole any longer.  I will probably pick up 1-2 more synthetic brushes in the future just so I have a small rotation and they're cheap enough.

Truth be told, an Omega 10065 brush that I have that was part of a kit (with a jar of Omega soap and a brush stand) works as well as anything I have but it's not the same aesthetic which is why it doesn't get used often.  The knot is great but the cheap plastic handle gets me every time.

I'm the type of guy who uses something if it works, whether it's a $1,000 item or a $10 item.  my $10 razorock plissoft works wonderfully, so I don't really go down that rabbit hole any longer.  I will probably pick up 1-2 more synthetic brushes in the future just so I have a small rotation and they're cheap enough.

Truth be told, an Omega 10065 brush that I have that was part of a kit (with a jar of Omega soap and a brush stand) works as well as anything I have but it's not the same aesthetic which is why it doesn't get used often.  The knot is great but the cheap plastic handle gets me every time.

I had one that I picked up at pasteurs the last time I was in NYC. I think I ended up giving it away to a friend though.