My wife’s birthday was on 27 April so I graciously decided to fly us to Phoenix for Big Shave Southwest. I will caveat this review by saying the only other convention/conference/gathering I attend is the National Safety Council (NSC) yearly Expo/Congress… featuring 1,400 vendors. Big Shave Southwest was more… intimate. Maybe 25 vendors or so.
We flew in, from Albuquerque, Thursday morning and got to the Crown Plaza around 10:00. They were very nice and went ahead and gave us our room. We took a nap and awoke in time to travel a few miles to the Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa where we enjoyed an outstanding massage (have to prepare mind and body for the Big Shave event). That evening we visited a nearby mall (featuring an Art of Shaving store) and dined at The Cheesecake Factory.
The next morning we met Douglas Smythe who was setting up his wares. No doubt I have heard some passionate comments about the man so I did want to meet him. He seemed to be neither a sinner nor a Saint. He was gracious and a bit of a showman (I would think you have to have some flair to keep the event energized). Anyway… on this date and at this time he seemed nice and welcoming.
We spent the rest of Friday visiting with a couple of Classmates (1st grade through High School) in Paradise Valley and over in Glendale. While in Glendale I also stumbled upon my Doppelganger at the locale Cabala’s. Then we returned to Chandler for a good night’s sleep prior to the Big Event.
Saturday morning by a quarter to 10 a crowd was gathering. Everyone was in good spirits and we talked to one fellow who had driven in from Nebraska just for the event. The event staff appeared to have many upbeat volunteers who set a nice tone prior to the door opening. The doors opened promptly at 10:02, by my watch, and it was game on.
The vendors were well stocked and very nice. The biggest, and best supplied, tables seemed to be from PAA and the Razor Emporium. That was no surprise since they are from the area. However the other tables were full of gear and there were plenty of shave soap and shave brush artisans. I spent quite a while just smelling shave soap after shave soap. I was slightly disappointed to find primarily 24-26mm brushes. I was hoping for more 20-20mm… but so I it goes.
The prices were nothing to write home about… you could probably pick up most of the items for the same price off the internet. However, you did get a chance to hold an item in your hand and do some real-time comparisons. The Swag bag was about right. It did not disappoint but also allowed my socks to remain on my feet.
I have come to embrace wet shaving a bit later in life (6 months ago). My disposable income is greater than in my youth and I have been able to (and indeed have) purchased what I want … when I want it. As such I already have almost everything I want in regard to wet shaving. But it is still nice to have a venue to see most of what’s out there.
To me the highlight of the event was the people. Fellow shaving enthusiasts (some with family in tow who appeared less enthusiastic but were probably being bribed via a follow-on trip to an amusement park/ice cream shop/mall). Also all of the vendors were upbeat and personable. The entire event had a nice small community family feel to it.
I only bought a couple of soaps at the event but did end up buying the “Bourbon “ shave cream and balm from Art of Shaving at the mall. I am not the biggest fan of Art of Shaving but my wife liked it… and, after all, it was her birthday.
The event, vendors, and products available were all nice. The highlight was meeting the people. If you have never been to Big Shave, or a similar wet shaving gathering, should you go… yes. Would I go again… if I had old friends in the area and a great spa nearby… yes.
We flew in, from Albuquerque, Thursday morning and got to the Crown Plaza around 10:00. They were very nice and went ahead and gave us our room. We took a nap and awoke in time to travel a few miles to the Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa where we enjoyed an outstanding massage (have to prepare mind and body for the Big Shave event). That evening we visited a nearby mall (featuring an Art of Shaving store) and dined at The Cheesecake Factory.
The next morning we met Douglas Smythe who was setting up his wares. No doubt I have heard some passionate comments about the man so I did want to meet him. He seemed to be neither a sinner nor a Saint. He was gracious and a bit of a showman (I would think you have to have some flair to keep the event energized). Anyway… on this date and at this time he seemed nice and welcoming.
We spent the rest of Friday visiting with a couple of Classmates (1st grade through High School) in Paradise Valley and over in Glendale. While in Glendale I also stumbled upon my Doppelganger at the locale Cabala’s. Then we returned to Chandler for a good night’s sleep prior to the Big Event.
Saturday morning by a quarter to 10 a crowd was gathering. Everyone was in good spirits and we talked to one fellow who had driven in from Nebraska just for the event. The event staff appeared to have many upbeat volunteers who set a nice tone prior to the door opening. The doors opened promptly at 10:02, by my watch, and it was game on.
The vendors were well stocked and very nice. The biggest, and best supplied, tables seemed to be from PAA and the Razor Emporium. That was no surprise since they are from the area. However the other tables were full of gear and there were plenty of shave soap and shave brush artisans. I spent quite a while just smelling shave soap after shave soap. I was slightly disappointed to find primarily 24-26mm brushes. I was hoping for more 20-20mm… but so I it goes.
The prices were nothing to write home about… you could probably pick up most of the items for the same price off the internet. However, you did get a chance to hold an item in your hand and do some real-time comparisons. The Swag bag was about right. It did not disappoint but also allowed my socks to remain on my feet.
I have come to embrace wet shaving a bit later in life (6 months ago). My disposable income is greater than in my youth and I have been able to (and indeed have) purchased what I want … when I want it. As such I already have almost everything I want in regard to wet shaving. But it is still nice to have a venue to see most of what’s out there.
To me the highlight of the event was the people. Fellow shaving enthusiasts (some with family in tow who appeared less enthusiastic but were probably being bribed via a follow-on trip to an amusement park/ice cream shop/mall). Also all of the vendors were upbeat and personable. The entire event had a nice small community family feel to it.
I only bought a couple of soaps at the event but did end up buying the “Bourbon “ shave cream and balm from Art of Shaving at the mall. I am not the biggest fan of Art of Shaving but my wife liked it… and, after all, it was her birthday.
The event, vendors, and products available were all nice. The highlight was meeting the people. If you have never been to Big Shave, or a similar wet shaving gathering, should you go… yes. Would I go again… if I had old friends in the area and a great spa nearby… yes.
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