What is your biggest SURPRISE since switching to traditional shaving?

Couple surprises for me.
First is the fact that I’ve accumulated a number of razors, brushes, blades, soaps, and aftershaves; and, I actually rotate and use them...all of them. That is very, very uncharacteristic of me. I’m a one gun, one longbow, one guitar, one bike, one fly rod (per weight), etc. kind of guy. I’ve never been the type to accumulate a bunch of stuff just to enjoy a variety. I used an Art of Shaving soap, badger brush, Gillette Mach 3, and Pinaud Clubman for 10 yrs before I bought an EJde89. Shit went sideways immediately! Over the last few years I’ve said numerous times that I would sell all but one razor and just focus on perfect shaves. I’ll use a razor for a week and say okay, I think this other razor could be a liiiitttttle bit better. Then wash, rinse, repeat that same futile thought. Finally I said screw it, I’ll just rotate as my heart desires and stop fighting it. Seems to working thus far.
Second surprise is my new interest in fragrance. Like I said above, I was a clubman guy. That was “my” scent. Since college in the 80’s and 90’s...yep you read that right, it covered a decade, all I wore was clubman. Artisan shave soaps introduced me to many new fragrances. My curiosity made me start learning and trying new stuff. Again, very uncharacteristic for me. I’m thoroughly enjoying what I’m learning though.

Couple surprises for me.
First is the fact that I’ve accumulated a number of razors, brushes, blades, soaps, and aftershaves; and, I actually rotate and use them...all of them. That is very, very uncharacteristic of me. I’m a one gun, one longbow, one guitar, one bike, one fly rod (per weight), etc. kind of guy. I’ve never been the type to accumulate a bunch of stuff just to enjoy a variety. I used an Art of Shaving soap, badger brush, Gillette Mach 3, and Pinaud Clubman for 10 yrs before I bought an EJde89.  Shit went sideways immediately!  Over the last few years I’ve said numerous times that I would sell all but one razor and just focus on perfect shaves. I’ll use a razor for a week and say okay, I think this other razor could be a liiiitttttle bit better.  Then wash, rinse, repeat that same futile thought. Finally I said screw it, I’ll just rotate as my heart desires and stop fighting it. Seems to working thus far.
Second surprise is my new interest in fragrance. Like I said above, I was a clubman guy. That was “my” scent. Since college in the 80’s and 90’s...yep you read that right, it covered a decade, all I wore was clubman. Artisan shave soaps introduced me to many new fragrances. My curiosity made me start learning and trying new stuff. Again, very uncharacteristic for me. I’m thoroughly enjoying what I’m learning though.

Yep same here.

I hope I do not take heat from this but these blogs cause a lot of our disorder. When you see someone post a photo of anything and the poster is saying look at what I just received it starts an "I want that as well attitude". But that is just life. It is just like the catalogs we all receive in the mail regarding any type of product. We always want what we don't have. And I want the blogs to stay for ever.

Maybe I should just give my wife my credit cards. THAT AIN'T GOING TO HAPPEN.

I hope I do not take heat from this but these blogs cause a lot of our disorder.  When you see someone post a photo of anything and the poster is saying look at what I just received it starts an "I want that as well attitude".  ...

Yes, and it is the same with Shave of the Day photos, What <razor, straight, brush, etc.> did you use today? photos, and so on.

One of my biggest surprises was how I warmed up to the price of some gear. When I first started, I bought that $100 for a brush was crazy!!! Now I own a Chubby 2 in Super (more than $100) and don't see spending that much money was anything strange. If you really get into it, it can be expensive. The other surprising thing is how much I really enjoy shaving. It's no longer a chore.

One of my biggest surprises was how I warmed up to the price of some gear.  When I first started, I bought that $100 for a brush was crazy!!!  Now I own a Chubby 2 in Super (more than $100) and don't see spending that much money was anything strange.  If you really get into it, it can be expensive.  The other surprising thing is how much I really enjoy shaving.  It's no longer a chore.

I whole heartedly agree. When I got started there was noway I would have ever considered buying some of the hardware I own now.

One of my biggest surprises was how I warmed up to the price of some gear.  When I first started, I bought that $100 for a brush was crazy!!!  Now I own a Chubby 2 in Super (more than $100) and don't see spending that much money was anything strange.  If you really get into it, it can be expensive.  The other surprising thing is how much I really enjoy shaving.  It's no longer a chore.

I whole heartedly agree. When I got started there was noway I would have ever considered buying some of the hardware I own now.

............

It appears we have assimilated both of you.

I will admit that I have been assimilated. I'm currently saving up for a high-end razor. I want either a Wolfman or a Raw Shaving. I'm so assimilated that I'll gladly pay the asking price for them!!!

My biggest surprise is the ridiculous amount of money I willing spend on shave stuff. Saving money was one of the drives at the beginning.then I got hooked, then I bought a charcoal goods, wolfman, osiris in one week. and now there a rs-10 on the way. Not complaining at all,I love it. Which brings us to the second surprise, how much it grabbed me. I absolutely hated shaving to the point that I would only do it once a week at best if I really had to. Now I wish I could shave more than once every day.

Crap forgot one, like stated above im surprised at how willing I am to drop $300 on a razor. At first I went back and forth on buying a game changer because of the price.