Just Avoided Being A Shave Snob

my opinion has always been to use whatever works best for you, whether the gear costs you $300 or $5...I don't look at someone as a lesser person because they're using a gillette slim from an antique shop versus a oneblade or wolfman.

I wish I always would behave like a proper Gentleman should, especially to all the new wet shavers.

Sometimes I either forget, that it's a rookie I'm debating with or giving advice to, or I simply don't check his post count before I come up with a less than gentle reply.

I feel though, that I'm always being honest in my replies, but I know that I may well come off sometimes sounding a little bit too on the elitist side of things with all my fragrances, soaps, creams and high end badger brushes, that I mention in numerious posts, when ever I can get the hance to do so.

For that I'm sorry - but I will probably never change. That's just part of me.
On the other hand, some of the guys that are rookies will - if they still are here - later on perhaps start to appreciate my posts for what they are, and forget my frequent mention of my collection of this and that.

I wish I always could behave like the perfect gentleman, that Celestin for instance is. As Freddy says, I have never encountered a more nice and friendly Gentleman than Celestino.
On that other old forum, where my account now is closed B&B, Marco also helped me out, when I was a rookie, and gave me solid fantastic advice.

Marco is also a perfect Gentleman - not quite on the same G-level as Celestino, but very close to. I still miss debating with him on B&B, since I have never seen him on other forums, so have never had the chance to talk to him since my B&B days stopped in 2013.

You also have a guy like Freddy, that also always seems willing to help guys with their questions. I like Freddy, because he also seems to express a bit of his honest feelings, when he really dislikes something. You then hear what he truly thinks about the subject.

Then we have a guy like Ben on TSN - also a true Gentleman, always helpfull and full of good information about his passionate shaving products. I also like, that once you stump on his feelings, you will see, that he has a limit, and we all have.

I have never seen you become insulting or demeaning in your replies to anyone on this forum. You have expensive taste, and you have the means to support an expensive hobby. There is nothing at all wrong with that, and recommending top tier gear is not demeaning or elitist in and of itself.

There are several members of this forum with very expensive taste, and the means to support a very expensive hobby. None of them are insulting. When asked for an opinion on a brush, offering a $300 opinion is equally as valid as offering a $12 opinion. This hobby has supplies for all financial levels, and all should be fairly represented with the opinions proffered.

I struggle at times with the risk of becoming "elitist" of sorts myself. I get so hung up on spending less than average on my gear that I can sometimes look down on someone that spends a lot of money on gear. I must remember that there is a sense of elitism in the vanity of frugality as well.

The problem is not in having and offering an opinion, it is in the arrogance that can arise from the opinion. As long as there is no condescension in the opinion, it shouldn't be mistaken for an "elitist" position.

Neither position is better than the other, and each should be careful to maintain a sense of humility in their opinions.

This forum's members are great at doing just that...

The problem is not in having and offering an opinion, it is in the arrogance that can arise from the opinion.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ This

My observation here is that everyone is very nice.

But what I can't stand "elsewhere" is the subset of fanatics, not "fans"  but true "fanatics", who think that their chosen object of adoration is the only thing that can possibly be good. There is so much arrogance that statements come across as "No one needs more than "object A" - it's perfect"

For a hobby where "YMMV" might be ingrained across everyones forehead, that's about the most insulting thing to say.

Hi. It is easy to fall in the "snob" category when we turn too enthusiastic regarding certain products. Specially if the product, quoting another member, is "unicorn stuff". Some times I've seen the opposite. For example, people being snob toward people paying huge amounts of money for badger brushes.

Hi. It is easy to fall in the "snob" category when we turn too enthusiastic regarding certain products.  Specially if the product, quoting another member, is "unicorn stuff".  Some times I've seen the opposite. For example, people being snob toward people paying huge amounts of money for badger brushes.

The, "My $10 synthetic is just as good as you $200 badger," is always an interesting thread to read.

I love this Thread. Its so true that individual tastes and means may vary and also that price isn't necessarily determinative of quality or performance and if one man wishes to apply lather to his face with a limited edition work of art while another prefers a utilitarian tool, who am I to judge either of them. I like beautiful things as much as anyone, however, I still have a practical mindset that puts limits on what I'm prepared to spend. I don't feel better or worse than anyone else because of this, although I must say that when I was driving my wife to work this morning (somebody has to pay for my shaving gear!) and that fella in the Lambourghini with the "Il Toro" vanity plate passed me in my F150 I couldn't help but roll my eyes He had pulled up behind me at a stop light and my wife asked what kind of car it was that was behind us - I couldn't even see it in my rear view it was so low. YMMV

I love this Thread.  Its so true that individual tastes and means may vary and also that price isn't necessarily determinative of quality or performance and if one man wishes to apply lather to his face with a limited edition work of art while another prefers a utilitarian tool, who am I to judge either of them.  I like beautiful things as much as anyone, however, I still have a practical mindset that puts limits on what I'm prepared to spend.  I don't feel better or worse than anyone else because of this, although I must say that when I was driving my wife to work this morning (somebody has to pay for my shaving gear!) and that fella in the Lambourghini with the "Il Toro" vanity plate passed me in my F150 I couldn't help but roll my eyes  He had pulled up behind me at a stop light and my wife asked what kind of car it was that was behind us  - I couldn't even see it in my rear view it was so low.  YMMV

Winner

This hobby can quickly get away from you. I have learned that one can do this on a budget and still enjoy my shave every morning. I'm quite happy use vintage razors that are not

pristine, they are still very serviceable. I lather my soap with sub $30 brushes and they work great. My biggest guilty pleasure is soap, especially artisan soaps, there are great soaps

out there in the sub $20 category.

I have a wide selection of great brushes, brushes that get the job done each morning.

I'm proud of my den.

I wish I always would behave like a proper Gentleman should, especially to all the new wet shavers.

Sometimes I either forget, that it's a rookie I'm debating with or giving advice to, or I simply don't check his post count before I come up with a less than gentle reply.

I feel though, that I'm always being honest in my replies, but I know that I may well come off sometimes sounding a little bit too on the elitist side of things with all my fragrances, soaps, creams and high end badger brushes, that I mention in numerious posts, when ever I can get the hance to do so.

For that I'm sorry - but I will probably never change. That's just part of me.
On the other hand, some of the guys that are rookies will - if they still are here - later on perhaps start to appreciate my posts for what they are, and forget my frequent mention of my collection of this and that.

I wish I always could behave like the perfect gentleman, that Celestin for instance is. As Freddy says, I have never encountered a more nice and friendly Gentleman than Celestino.
On that other old forum, where my account now is closed B&B, Marco also helped me out, when I was a rookie, and gave me solid fantastic advice.

Marco is also a perfect Gentleman - not quite on the same G-level as Celestino, but very close to. I still miss debating with him on B&B, since I have never seen him on other forums, so have never had the chance to talk to him since my B&B days stopped in 2013.

You also have a guy like Freddy, that also always seems willing to help guys with their questions. I like Freddy, because he also seems to express a bit of his honest feelings, when he really dislikes something. You then hear what he truly thinks about the subject.

Then we have a guy like Ben on TSN - also a true Gentleman, always helpfull and full of good information about his passionate shaving products. I also like, that once you stump on his feelings, you will see, that he has a limit, and we all have.

Very nice post Claus! Claus and I for a little while were clashing over unknown issues, but now I like him very much and appreciate his input.

Now Claus, that last guy you mentioned, you can have him with all his ridiculous pomposity. Instead of a photo bomber, he is a thread bomber. You can't post anything without him upping you every single time. Yuk! !

I enjoy all my gear, but I don't need to constantly post it or mention it. Sometimes I post an SOTD, sometimes I don't. I enjoy sharing, but I don't need the adulation or approval. I'm a simple guy.