Just Avoided Being A Shave Snob

It's nice to go back to the basics.

Feels like coming home sometimes.

I've started feeling the same way. So much so, that I plan on selling my Wolfman OC in the recent future.

In the two short months that I have been wet shaving I'm already feeling this way. My experience is the material 'stuff' doesn't bring much joy in life.

Wet shaving for me is both a nice masculine ritual where I can be quiet and reflect as well as a way to get a better shave with less irritation.

I have no problem paying more for the tools needed to give the best shave, though sub $20 soap, synthetic brushes and aftershave like Clubman Pinaud achieve that for me so far. I would never have paid $300 for a OneBlade, but got one as a gift and my experience thus far is that I see less blood with it. I'll keep after the double edge razors though as the trouble could feasibly be my technique.

I love the sound from using an old GEM razor, though keep seeing blood, though I'll keep working on technique there as well. When I refer to blood, I mean weepers mainly.

I don't have any stuff you'd all consider expensive except my new ww brush. Most my soaps are $3.50 an oz or less. Guess tabac is normally expensive but I got two in the glass containers for $11, but seen they can go for $30 each. I will eventually buy castle Forbes which is expensive but I cnsider it a luxury item that I'll use occasionally to get super great shave. Seems to shave bit better then tobs but not enough to justify using it a lot . Except my ww brush all my brushes cost less then $15. Most expensive razor was my mekur 23c for $28 I'd love to try MDC but probably never will unless it price goes down
I've seen elitism in other hobbies thoug. Airsoft has a lot, guns too(glocks are crap etc)

Interesting thread to read.
I don't believe I can add much but only reinforce what has been stated about using what works for you. Some people will see value in a $70 soap or $300 brush while someone else will relate that to overpriced snobbery. It's in the attitude as to how people relay their opinions.
I myself enjoy the hype sometimes and relish in trying new products, they are definitely not necessities I know. I too have a couple of old $30 straights that I get great shaves out of. I haven't managed to succeed with the gold dollar yet but will get there. I also like the feeling I get when I have used something much more expensive. No science to it, I just see it all as my stuff and months later, whatever I paid is irrelevant. I just enjoy using it all.
With no ultra high end gear, maybe just some good soaps, I have no reason to show off.
Sharing in any threads about Sotd, acquisitions, what did you use today is only a factor of my satisfaction and allegiance to these threads, brands and the hobby it has become.
My family will not understand it if I tell them what I used today but the forum gets it.