I'm going to a real brick and mortar shop that opened up last month. Imperial Shave in Medina Ohio (Straight Razor Designs). I hope to provide a full report.
Imperial Shave Medina Ohio
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I miss northeast Ohio (spent my teens through early 20's in Cleveland). A funny aside- Medina, OH is pronounce "ma-di-na". Medina, TX is "ma-dee-na". But, then again, they pronounce Bowie "Boo-wee" down here (don't tell David)
I have been there a couple times
Don is the proprietor, he is a nice guy. They ahve great selection of DR Harris, Musgo, Speick, T&H, Pinaud, their own line of soaps, tons of classic AS and hair tonic, lots of brushes for sale, custom straights, etc. Small selection of Merkur DE's, progress, futur, HD, etc. Shaving scuttles made locally, kent hair combs, brushes, etc.
Don also runs www.straightrazordesigns.com and www.straightrazorplace.com
Great place...decent prices...some stuff same as online, some more, some less, all depends on shipping and whatnot.
I will be going there soon to spend the rest of my Christmas money, I just can't deide what I need/want. My wife would tell you I need nothing, so we'll see what I can think of.
Don is the proprietor, he is a nice guy. They ahve great selection of DR Harris, Musgo, Speick, T&H, Pinaud, their own line of soaps, tons of classic AS and hair tonic, lots of brushes for sale, custom straights, etc. Small selection of Merkur DE's, progress, futur, HD, etc. Shaving scuttles made locally, kent hair combs, brushes, etc.
Don also runs www.straightrazordesigns.com and www.straightrazorplace.com
Great place...decent prices...some stuff same as online, some more, some less, all depends on shipping and whatnot.
I will be going there soon to spend the rest of my Christmas money, I just can't deide what I need/want. My wife would tell you I need nothing, so we'll see what I can think of.
Whoa.. I had no idea there was a shop! I'm up in Parma so no excuse not to stop by at some point.. Even though I don't use straights, sounds like he has a lot of other goodies..
He has lots of goodies. Full LIne of Simpsons brushes, Thaters, and some custom local stuff that looks pretty good to me (never tried, but the wood is attractive).
I'm in Akron, but work in Medina county, so it is in a good spot for me.
Also, he will soon be putting in a couple of barber chairs. They will do haircuts, shaves, and he'll have someone doing massages, and other spa stuff (manicures, pedicures, etc.).
Look them up on facebook for some pictures pre-barbershop.
Holy cow, this is fantastic. Glad I saw this thread, I'll be there soon to check things out.
This is the kind of store I was waiting for around here. Seems we're lucky because I don't think there's many of these types around.
This is the kind of store I was waiting for around here. Seems we're lucky because I don't think there's many of these types around.
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Very Nice place! I met Don one of the owners. This place is a straight razor heaven. They also have a very nice selection of Merkur DE razors.
The selection of items is excellent. I got some MWF and FITJAR shaving soap. They have a very, very nice brush selection. I think they have one of every type of Simpsons, brushes by HL Thater, and planty of other items. The also sell a locally made scuttle and bowl.
For all us wet shavers in the NE Ohio area a trip to this place should be on your To Do list for the new year.
I am glad I made the trip.
Very Nice place! I met Don one of the owners. This place is a straight razor heaven. They also have a very nice selection of Merkur DE razors.
The selection of items is excellent. I got some MWF and FITJAR shaving soap. They have a very, very nice brush selection. I think they have one of every type of Simpsons, brushes by HL Thater, and planty of other items. The also sell a locally made scuttle and bowl.
For all us wet shavers in the NE Ohio area a trip to this place should be on your To Do list for the new year.
I am glad I made the trip.
Are there a good selection of Livi razors?
That's great news! I'm in Canton, but have a meeting in Mentor next week - looks like I'll be making a detour.
Man, I'm excited to check this place out. Just looked at pictures of it online. I'm gonna try to swing by tomorrow if I have enough time.
Pictures can be found on their Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Straight-Razor-Designs/41226912361
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They do have some Livi's if I recall correctly (i'm not so familiar with the straights) but I do remember that name.
You could always call and talk to Don, he would be more than happy to chat about razors and shaving.
This is the place I need to go! It could be dangerous, though. I will have to show some restraint.
I finally managed to make the half hour drive to Imperial Shaving in Medina, Ohio. Very nice store. I met Don finally after having emailed him a few times about a straight back at the beginning of this year. I've also ordered from their web store (straightrazordesigns.com). His prices are VERY good. He is cheaper than alot of the online vendors on many items and is basically equal in price on most of the rest. I enjoyed being able to walk around and sniff the testers for many of the fragrance lines that he carries (GFT, D.R. Harris, T&H, C&S, Penhaligon's, XPEC, TOBS, Clubman.... to name a few). He does not just carry a few lines from each brand..... he seems to carry the entire brand for the most part. GFT for instance, he had all of the obscure scents that many online vendors don't sell.... not just the "popular stuff". Very all inclusive selection. I picked up a Tabac refill puck, a tube of Marvis Strong Mint Toothpaste (been meaning to try this for a while), and a bottle of the Scottish Fine Soaps EDT.... as well as a bottle of the matching aftershave balm. I've had the SFS shave soap for a few months now already, so I figured I would get some of the other products to match.
Some of the other more exciting moments of my visit was being able to try scents that I have heard and wondered about for a very long time, been did not know what they actually smelled like. C&S No. 88, C&S Oxford & Cambridge, C&S Vert, C&S Lavender (a very nice lavender.... different), Pen's English Fern, Pen's LP No. 9, Pen's Elixer, Pen's Douro, Pen's Hamman Bouquet, TOBS Shave Shop..... and yes.... the famous Lilac Vegetal. The kicker is that I've been battling a cold all week.... and my sniffer is off and plugged. I did my best to form some opinions.... but as many of us know, sniffing from the bottle is quite different than wearing a scent for a while and letting it develop and mix with your body chemistry. English Fern reminded me of GFT Wild Fern. I like both very much.
All in all.... I feel very fortunate to have a Brick and Mortar shop within a half hour drive from where I live.... and an excellent one at that. Don was very helpful and willing to answer any of my questions. I will definitely be returning in the future.... hopefully sooner rather than later.
Ben
Some of the other more exciting moments of my visit was being able to try scents that I have heard and wondered about for a very long time, been did not know what they actually smelled like. C&S No. 88, C&S Oxford & Cambridge, C&S Vert, C&S Lavender (a very nice lavender.... different), Pen's English Fern, Pen's LP No. 9, Pen's Elixer, Pen's Douro, Pen's Hamman Bouquet, TOBS Shave Shop..... and yes.... the famous Lilac Vegetal. The kicker is that I've been battling a cold all week.... and my sniffer is off and plugged. I did my best to form some opinions.... but as many of us know, sniffing from the bottle is quite different than wearing a scent for a while and letting it develop and mix with your body chemistry. English Fern reminded me of GFT Wild Fern. I like both very much.
All in all.... I feel very fortunate to have a Brick and Mortar shop within a half hour drive from where I live.... and an excellent one at that. Don was very helpful and willing to answer any of my questions. I will definitely be returning in the future.... hopefully sooner rather than later.
Ben
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