So let's put something out for members... like a lot of folks around here, I love to give wet shaving gear and kits to friends and family. Whether it's a good buddy, colleague, or an in-law, I love to put together bundles of gear and consumables to get them started or advance their collection/knowledge/enjoyment. Makes for unique and personal gifts. So on to the current bundle I'm building and your thoughts and input on inclusions.
The bundle I am currently building is for my Brother-in-law. My wife's half brother. He's an NCO in the army, in his 30's, a family man. We don't get to spend any time together really, as we are spread all over this great country but he and converse on Insta/facespace etc when we post stuff we enjoy. He's shown interest in the wet shaving and he's got a new job that requires a certain amount of business casual attire and civilian interaction. While he of course needs to maintain strict grooming standards, it's my understanding that he has some leeway for style and personality in his day to day.
I am putting together a bit of a basic plus kit for him that will include a couple of razors, a couple of brushes, a ton of blade choices, and some basic consumables for taking his routine in whatever direction he wants to go.
The razors, I think, are already chosen. I like to give adjustables as gifts for noobs and in this case I chose the Yaqi. It seemed interesting to me. Doesn't cost an arm and a leg but if he wanted to upgrade to a similar but better or vintage version he could. I am also going to give him a 1955 Gillette Diplomat. His father's birth year. His father passed in 2012. They had a complex relationship as some of us often do with our fathers but his father was very proud of his son's success in the military. We are all proud of his success. He is a honest, good man, raising kids and working hard.
For brushes, I have already purchase a Colorado Razor Designs handle from Etsy, made in the town he has adopted as his home. I have placed a Manchurian Silvertip/High Mountain White knot from Razor Emporium into the handle. I am also thinking a synthetic brush might be the ticket as well. In the past I've given boar brushes but I think the quality of synthetic has come so far that I'm started to lean towards them for starters. Currently enamoured with the Phoenix Artisan Accoutrement brushes. They seem a nice value and fun shapes.
For consumables I typically give everyone a stick of Arko. Whether you love it or hate it, it works as a soap. It's a classic. He'll definitely be getting Arko. In the past I've also given Proraso creams or Godrej when I had a good source. Again the PAA products seem very interesting as well as Stirling neither of which I've used. I'll probably throw in Alum (Razorock stick is easy) and maybe some thayers. But I think I'd also like to throw in some aftershave and a matching cologne.
There will probably be a travel case of some kind, like the ones printed and assembled by FrugalShave on etsy.
So here's where y'all jump in and comment. What soaps or creams would you give. Is PAA a good route or should I look somewhere else for a high quality value synthetic. What post shave products do you give as gifts? Let's hear it.
Todd
The bundle I am currently building is for my Brother-in-law. My wife's half brother. He's an NCO in the army, in his 30's, a family man. We don't get to spend any time together really, as we are spread all over this great country but he and converse on Insta/facespace etc when we post stuff we enjoy. He's shown interest in the wet shaving and he's got a new job that requires a certain amount of business casual attire and civilian interaction. While he of course needs to maintain strict grooming standards, it's my understanding that he has some leeway for style and personality in his day to day.
I am putting together a bit of a basic plus kit for him that will include a couple of razors, a couple of brushes, a ton of blade choices, and some basic consumables for taking his routine in whatever direction he wants to go.
The razors, I think, are already chosen. I like to give adjustables as gifts for noobs and in this case I chose the Yaqi. It seemed interesting to me. Doesn't cost an arm and a leg but if he wanted to upgrade to a similar but better or vintage version he could. I am also going to give him a 1955 Gillette Diplomat. His father's birth year. His father passed in 2012. They had a complex relationship as some of us often do with our fathers but his father was very proud of his son's success in the military. We are all proud of his success. He is a honest, good man, raising kids and working hard.
For brushes, I have already purchase a Colorado Razor Designs handle from Etsy, made in the town he has adopted as his home. I have placed a Manchurian Silvertip/High Mountain White knot from Razor Emporium into the handle. I am also thinking a synthetic brush might be the ticket as well. In the past I've given boar brushes but I think the quality of synthetic has come so far that I'm started to lean towards them for starters. Currently enamoured with the Phoenix Artisan Accoutrement brushes. They seem a nice value and fun shapes.
For consumables I typically give everyone a stick of Arko. Whether you love it or hate it, it works as a soap. It's a classic. He'll definitely be getting Arko. In the past I've also given Proraso creams or Godrej when I had a good source. Again the PAA products seem very interesting as well as Stirling neither of which I've used. I'll probably throw in Alum (Razorock stick is easy) and maybe some thayers. But I think I'd also like to throw in some aftershave and a matching cologne.
There will probably be a travel case of some kind, like the ones printed and assembled by FrugalShave on etsy.
So here's where y'all jump in and comment. What soaps or creams would you give. Is PAA a good route or should I look somewhere else for a high quality value synthetic. What post shave products do you give as gifts? Let's hear it.
Todd