Finding Shaving Gear (US)

[Calyx]

New to wet shaving here and would like to know where to find shaving gear locally. What stores or kind of places do you have that you can walk in and check out the gear. I don't have a clue where to look.
I ask because I recently ordered online a shaving cream that sounded like something I'd like. It arrived, I used it once and probably won't use it anymore due to not caring for the scent. I would like to be able to smell the soaps and creams before buying and maybe even check out some different razors in person. Is that even possible nowadays?
I was at the local grocery store (Kroger) near me and they didn't have any DE blades or razors and I only saw one brand of shave cream. (I'm not talking the canned stuff)
Like I said, I don't know where to look.

 

[blethenstrom]

First welcome to B&B and we are so glad your decided to join us.

Unfortunately the availability of DE shaving supplies is very lacking in most places in the US in brick and mortar stores. You might find some at Walmart, CVS and maybe Walgreens. I assume your are in the US since you mentioned Krogers. Even if you do find some there it will be very limited. You might want to see if there is a wet shaving store near you but those are also very few and far between.

There is no lack in supplies but it will be online. There are many online vendors. We can certainly help you what ever path you choose to go.

 

[AshleyC]

Sally Beauty, a national chain, does have a few shaving items. I think two varieties of blades, one of which are the Personna Comfort Coated. The larger bottle of Pinaud Clubman AS. And a blue color aftershave in a spray bottle called "Level 3 Aftershave Cologne". I think they also carry a DE razor. Likely a Weishi Super Speed clone.

In general, chain retail stores like Walmart, etc. are poor places for DE stuff. Some will offer King C Gillette rebranded Merkurs, or the occasional VDH rebrand of the Chinese Futur clone. You can find blades, such as the Goodline brand, which are actually nice blades...but go for around 70 cents a blade. They're good, but that's like 3 times the cost of a Feather!

 

[Rhody]

Welcome.
Sadly I’m not aware of local shops unless you are lucky enough to be near nyc. Online shopping is the mainstay of my purchases.

 

[Calyx]

Thanks for the replies. I can see why folks end up with a collection of soaps and such. Some of them probably aren't liked very much!

 

[gpjoe]

The only item that I've found locally was a jar of Art of Shaving cream at Marshalls, and they used to stock Pinaud Clubman aftershave at CVS, but that store closed.

Other than buying almost every vintage Gillette DE razor that I've found at antique shops near me, the only razors I've seen locally were King C Gillette and Vsn der Hagen at Walmart.

My suggestion, which many of us have done, is to explore samples. Stirling Soap Co offers sample packs and a large number of scents.

Good luck

 

[WThomas0814]

Welcome to B&B!

You'll be hard pressed to find any gear at your local shops. As mentioned, try samples of soaps, blade sampler packs, etc to find what you like.

As for razors, short of researching reviews on here, or perhaps lucking into a pass aground, you may end up buying and reselling until you find your preferred kit.

Don't write off vintage razors. They are typically much less expensive and a good many are top tier shavers

Good luck. We are here to help.

 

[Virgil Sollozzo]

New to wet shaving here and would like to know where to find shaving gear locally. What stores or kind of places do you have that you can walk in and check out the gear. I don't have a clue where to look.
I ask because I recently ordered online a shaving cream that sounded like something I'd like. It arrived, I used it once and probably won't use it anymore due to not caring for the scent. I would like to be able to smell the soaps and creams before buying and maybe even check out some different razors in person. Is that even possible nowadays?
I was at the local grocery store (Kroger) near me and they didn't have any DE blades or razors and I only saw one brand of shave cream. (I'm not talking the canned stuff)
Like I said, I don't know where to look.

Welcome! There is nowhere good near me - I do it all online. (I could be in Manhattan in 90 minutes but why bother?) If you are uncertain, just buy samples first and go from there. It'll save money in the long run. Also, B&B is the place to research whatever you are considering first, too. Good luck.

 

[abies]

Locally I have the best luck at antique stores and smaller independent pharmacies and groceries, beauty supply stores, and sometimes at independent toiletries stores although I'm seeing fewer of those the last several years.

 

[KW Driver]

And there are sales here further down in the buy sell trade sub forum. Members here are pretty universally trustworthy on what they sell and how it’s represented. I can’t think of one “bad sale”, so that’s an option too.

Maggard’s Razors has generally the lowest prices on a good selection of products. Small flower (Chicago) is also good, Pastuer’s (NYC), some California shops. Amazon as well if you know what you’re looking for.

And I’ve bought from England, Spain, Portugal as well at competitive pricing including shipping. But I knew what I was looking for.

Once you’re qualified to, you could sell off items that don’t agree with you here in the BST and recoup some of the trial cost. So there’s that.

Read around in the sub forums here to get an idea of what you want to try out first to at least get a semblance of consensus on a thing

 

[MrSpeedy]

If you have a Bath & Body Works nearby you might find some C.O. Bigelow creams. But like others have said, samples are going to be your friend when ordering online.

 

[AshleyC]

If you have a Bath & Body Works nearby you might find some C.O. Bigelow creams. But like others have said, samples are going to be your friend when ordering online.

No, B&BW doesn't carry C.O. Bigelow anymore. They do have their own band of shave cream that I wasn't interested in trying, last time I went to a store.

 

[EM313]

I’ve seen Van der Hagen razors at Target and Meijers. These stores also carry the VDH shaving soap. I think Target also has Bevel and Gillette shaving gear. CVS carries a
??Goodfella?? Razor and DE blades. If you live near a mall with a Macy’s, you might try them.
Sadly, wet shaving isn’t big enough for the shelves of chain stores.
If you live in southeastern Michigan, there’s Maggards in Adrian, and the Nickel’s Arcade tabacconist in Ann Arbor. Check with your local barbers. They often sell DE related items.

 

[Calyx]

Several have mentioned samples. I wasn't aware that companies offered them so I'll check that aspect out.
Thanks for all the info.

 

[DesertIguana]

Razor Empourium has 25% off till Midnight.

Get an Edwin Jagger DE 89

Blade Sampler.

Get an Omega Brush Brush.

Tube of Proaso, and your read to go.

 

[BigJ]

First welcome to B&B and we are so glad your decided to join us.

Unfortunately the availability of DE shaving supplies is very lacking in most places in the US in brick and mortar stores. You might find some at Walmart, CVS and maybe Walgreens. I assume your are in the US since you mentioned Krogers. Even if you do find some there it will be very limited. You might want to see if there is a wet shaving store near you but those are also very few and far between.

There is no lack in supplies but it will be online. There are many online vendors. We can certainly help you what ever path you choose to go.

+1! Mostly online for me these days.

Occasionally, I will check out an antique shop or yard sale but not with high hopes of success.

 

[helicopter]

Since I am north of Detroit, The Razor Company is local to me. That's where I go to smell a bunch of soaps, hold and feel brushes, and look at things in person.

 

[dmshaver]

What part of the country are you in, or what city do you live in?

 

[GR5233]

Places that I’ve seen carry razors and blades.

CVS: Goodline. Razor is a rebranded Weishi or Baili flare tip clone. Blades are German. Probably either rebranded Personnas or Wilkinson Sword.

Walgreens: King C. Gillette razor and blades

Kroger: King C. Gillette razor and blades. Usually in the Walmart/Meijer style stores

Walmart: Van der Hagen. Razor is the same as the Goodline. Blades are German. Guessing rebranded Merkur as both say ice tempered last I saw (awhile ago so take that with a grain of salt)

Meijer: Same as Walmart.

Target: Bevel razor, blades and brushes. Maybe also Van der Hagen razor and blades. Creamo brushes and cream. Some Art of Shaving creams and maybe razors

Though online will have the best results. I like Pasteur Pharmacy, Metz Apothecary/Smallflower (same company. Just uses different names for the online store), Maggard’s, Stirling and Barrister and Mann

 

[Cannon Cocker]

Several have mentioned samples. I wasn't aware that companies offered them so I'll check that aspect out.
Thanks for all the info.

It really would help us to help you if we knew where you live. Living in Michigan we have 2 (The Razor Company and Maggards) very good wet shaving retailers. Both offer a wide selection of soap and splash samples along with a lot of other shaving items.

One of the best ways I’ve found to buy razors and brushes is from companies that have had models out for years and not just months. Those models have passed the test of time.