Greetings Gents and Ladies (I believe there are at least a couple among us) . .
Father’s Day is on the horizon. A couple months ago Italian Barber was selling Razorock DE1’s for $5 each. I’m a touch too practical to have lots of different razors—although I do like trying different blades, and my struggle to contain the SAD beast is perpetual. But, the DE1 got me thinking.
My dad passed away just over four years ago, and I think he likely would have at least given traditional wet shaving a try, if for no other reason than his son and grandson have really taken to it. I happened upon this forum mostly through my initial searches on different DE topics—Badger & Blade most always came up near the top of the results. I found I was becoming more and more intrigued (and sucked in) to all the opinions and sheer volume of information—and desire to help—by the denizens of these forums. So, I joined in early February.
Why This PIF?
I add my voice to the chorus of those grateful for what the B&B community provides. It has helped me tremendously, and not unsurprisingly enabled my nascent Acquisition Disorders. Sure, at the start I have spent more than I would have on cartridges, but my enjoyment of the process is exponentially greater than before. I know I’m not alone in this regard
In memory of my dad on this Father’s Day I would like to offer up the following PIF:
1 RazoRock DE1 . . . brand spankin’ new, in the box
1 pure badger brush . . . brand new
1 puck (winner’s choice) of RazoRock What the Puck shave soap—Lime Burst, Orange Sunrise, or Barbershop . . . yes, also brand new.
3 of each of the following blades:
The Razor — The DE1 isn’t anything fancy or exotic, but looks to be a pretty solid razor for the beginner. Lots of positive reviews, and for a PIF the price couldn’t be beat! To be completely transparent, the razors are packaged with a tuck of Derby Extras, but I haven’t tried them yet so I’m selfishly reserving some to see which side of the Derby Extra fence I fall on (and I’ll have my son try them too).
The Brush — Again, by no means is this the gold standard of pure badger brushes. Not even sure it would be the bronze standard. Pretty inexpensive brush, but again I would think it perfect for someone starting out. Not as stiff as a boar . . . which come to think of it might have been a better choice given the puck included . . .
The Soap — Surprise! . . . not an expensive soap. I have not used this soap before but have seen both pro and con written about them. I surmise it may take a little work to lather it up as it’s triple milled—might want to blossom it while showering, etc. Wasn’t heavy on the wallet and I thought it fitting to include some kind of soap in a PIF starter kit.
Why 3 of each blade? Well, if dad had been around there would have been three generations of DE shavers, which would have been kinda cool.
I know some will recoil at my blade offerings. I get it. Lots of Gillette die-hards here, and others who have found some or all of these blades don’t work for them. With all absolute respect, this PIF isn’t so much for the established shavers as it is for potential newbies/converts. The blades are those which I happen to have sufficient stock of (another AD I must be vigilant of) and which I happen to find perform well for me, and perhaps would for another new shaver as well. If nothing else, perhaps it helps both to grab their attention and break the spell of the Dark Side bringing them into the experience we all enjoy.
Very early on I started with the Astra SP’s and kind of use them as my baseline for performance and overall feel. They get lots of love here and it helped that my son liked them. I have a hunch dad would have enjoyed them too. I hope the blade offerings give enough range/latitude for a beginner to explore.
How To Qualify
My most recent fond memory was back in 2014, the year before he unexpectedly passed. He and I spent a month together working up in Oregon. Went in to work, ate breakfast and lunch with the crew, went home and I cooked dinner and we’d watch a little TV together. Nothing extravagant, no globe trotting or such, just quality father-son time. Speaking of TV, I also recall growing up we always did chores on the weekends. Dad would often be doing something outside—the grass, tinkering with the sprinkler system, whatever. I remember sometimes he would come inside for lunch and he, my brother and I would sit and eat lunch while watching the original Star Trek reruns; it wasn’t something he insisted we watch, we simply did.
So, while most of us won’t win the Nobel or Pulitzer, an Oscar or Grammy, most of us are either standing upon the shoulders of our fathers and/or probably doing what we can to make the world just a little better than when we came in.
I think most will have no problem understanding this: “Hey dad . . . wanna have a catch?”
Good luck all!
Father’s Day is on the horizon. A couple months ago Italian Barber was selling Razorock DE1’s for $5 each. I’m a touch too practical to have lots of different razors—although I do like trying different blades, and my struggle to contain the SAD beast is perpetual. But, the DE1 got me thinking.
My dad passed away just over four years ago, and I think he likely would have at least given traditional wet shaving a try, if for no other reason than his son and grandson have really taken to it. I happened upon this forum mostly through my initial searches on different DE topics—Badger & Blade most always came up near the top of the results. I found I was becoming more and more intrigued (and sucked in) to all the opinions and sheer volume of information—and desire to help—by the denizens of these forums. So, I joined in early February.
Why This PIF?
I add my voice to the chorus of those grateful for what the B&B community provides. It has helped me tremendously, and not unsurprisingly enabled my nascent Acquisition Disorders. Sure, at the start I have spent more than I would have on cartridges, but my enjoyment of the process is exponentially greater than before. I know I’m not alone in this regard
In memory of my dad on this Father’s Day I would like to offer up the following PIF:
1 RazoRock DE1 . . . brand spankin’ new, in the box
1 pure badger brush . . . brand new
1 puck (winner’s choice) of RazoRock What the Puck shave soap—Lime Burst, Orange Sunrise, or Barbershop . . . yes, also brand new.
3 of each of the following blades:
- Astra SP
- Battle Brothers
- Derby Extra
- Derby Premium
- Shark Super Chrome
- Voskhod
- Gillette Wilkinson Sword (India) — although I do truly like the German blades, too.
- And I think I’ll throw in one Lord Super Stainless and one Rapira Platinum Lux for good measure.
The Razor — The DE1 isn’t anything fancy or exotic, but looks to be a pretty solid razor for the beginner. Lots of positive reviews, and for a PIF the price couldn’t be beat! To be completely transparent, the razors are packaged with a tuck of Derby Extras, but I haven’t tried them yet so I’m selfishly reserving some to see which side of the Derby Extra fence I fall on (and I’ll have my son try them too).
The Brush — Again, by no means is this the gold standard of pure badger brushes. Not even sure it would be the bronze standard. Pretty inexpensive brush, but again I would think it perfect for someone starting out. Not as stiff as a boar . . . which come to think of it might have been a better choice given the puck included . . .
The Soap — Surprise! . . . not an expensive soap. I have not used this soap before but have seen both pro and con written about them. I surmise it may take a little work to lather it up as it’s triple milled—might want to blossom it while showering, etc. Wasn’t heavy on the wallet and I thought it fitting to include some kind of soap in a PIF starter kit.
Why 3 of each blade? Well, if dad had been around there would have been three generations of DE shavers, which would have been kinda cool.
I know some will recoil at my blade offerings. I get it. Lots of Gillette die-hards here, and others who have found some or all of these blades don’t work for them. With all absolute respect, this PIF isn’t so much for the established shavers as it is for potential newbies/converts. The blades are those which I happen to have sufficient stock of (another AD I must be vigilant of) and which I happen to find perform well for me, and perhaps would for another new shaver as well. If nothing else, perhaps it helps both to grab their attention and break the spell of the Dark Side bringing them into the experience we all enjoy.
Very early on I started with the Astra SP’s and kind of use them as my baseline for performance and overall feel. They get lots of love here and it helped that my son liked them. I have a hunch dad would have enjoyed them too. I hope the blade offerings give enough range/latitude for a beginner to explore.
How To Qualify
- I would prefer the recipient of this PIF (I think i’ll put together 2 of these kits, so recipients plural) to be someone new to the ‘hobby’, perhaps a gift for your dad, son, grandfather, or even wife or daughter. Would be awesome to bring another member into our community, to expose someone to the feelings that a great shave brings.
- Must be in the CONUS; I would love to be able to open it up to our brothers across the pond or above the border, but I have a hunch shipping would be hefty. If I’m wrong then please let me know!
- Perhaps most importantly, state “I’m in!” and tell us about a favorite memory of your own father. I think it only fitting for the upcoming occasion.
- I will leave this PIF open until the evening of Saturday, June 8—Father’s Day isn’t until the 16th, but I want to allow for shipping time ahead of FD.
- I will randomly select the winners from the post numbers.
My most recent fond memory was back in 2014, the year before he unexpectedly passed. He and I spent a month together working up in Oregon. Went in to work, ate breakfast and lunch with the crew, went home and I cooked dinner and we’d watch a little TV together. Nothing extravagant, no globe trotting or such, just quality father-son time. Speaking of TV, I also recall growing up we always did chores on the weekends. Dad would often be doing something outside—the grass, tinkering with the sprinkler system, whatever. I remember sometimes he would come inside for lunch and he, my brother and I would sit and eat lunch while watching the original Star Trek reruns; it wasn’t something he insisted we watch, we simply did.
So, while most of us won’t win the Nobel or Pulitzer, an Oscar or Grammy, most of us are either standing upon the shoulders of our fathers and/or probably doing what we can to make the world just a little better than when we came in.
I think most will have no problem understanding this: “Hey dad . . . wanna have a catch?”
Good luck all!
