About My Shaving Hobby
For years I used disposables, cartridges, and occasionally electrics (the electrics were never satisfying).
I started traditional methods in the summer of 2014 with an impulse purchase of a brush.
That led to creams and then to a double-edge razor.
It's branched out from there, but in general my goal is to keep the footprint of the den small.
My rule of thumb is to use something up before buying something new.
I'm not set against either cart razors or brushless creams. They can be handy when time is tight.
I started traditional methods in the summer of 2014 with an impulse purchase of a brush.
That led to creams and then to a double-edge razor.
It's branched out from there, but in general my goal is to keep the footprint of the den small.
My rule of thumb is to use something up before buying something new.
I'm not set against either cart razors or brushless creams. They can be handy when time is tight.
Wanted/To-Try List
Software
I have focused on the Natural Ireland line of soaps and am in the process of donating the other soaps and creams I have.
I'm now extremely well stocked on aftershaves, especially after a visit to Japan around New Year 2016.
I'm now extremely well stocked on aftershaves, especially after a visit to Japan around New Year 2016.
Hardware
I am pretty well satisfied with what I have, both razors and brushes.
However, it would be fun to discover a Nano Scot.
However, it would be fun to discover a Nano Scot.
Hardware Owned Now
Razors
Double-Edge
Edwin Jagger DE89 Laser Diamond Knurled Handle, currently paired with EJ DE89 head
Braveheart head, currently paired with custom cocobolo rosewood handle by Brad Sears
Maggard open comb head (V2), currently paired with Elite Razor handle (azurite/malachite)
Maggard slant head, currently paired with Maggard stainless steel handle
PAA bakelite slant (white)
Feather AS-D2
Wilkinson Sword Classic
Gillette birthday quarter (H4) collection:
Slim Adjustable
Super Speed
Travel Tech
Lady Gillette (blue)
Gillette NEW Long Comb
Braveheart head, currently paired with custom cocobolo rosewood handle by Brad Sears
Maggard open comb head (V2), currently paired with Elite Razor handle (azurite/malachite)
Maggard slant head, currently paired with Maggard stainless steel handle
PAA bakelite slant (white)
Feather AS-D2
Wilkinson Sword Classic
Gillette birthday quarter (H4) collection:
Slim Adjustable
Super Speed
Travel Tech
Lady Gillette (blue)
Gillette NEW Long Comb
Single-Edge
GEM Featherweight
GEM 1912 (with ornate chain-link handle)
Schick Eversharp injector (type I1)
iKon El Jefe
Cobra Classic
GEM 1912 (with ornate chain-link handle)
Schick Eversharp injector (type I1)
iKon El Jefe
Cobra Classic
Straights/shavettes
Weck Sextoblade - yellow plastic scales
Weck Sextoblade - stainless steel U.S. Medical Corps issue
CJB WH100B
The Holy Black barber razor
KAI disposable shavettes (3 left in box of 5)
Weck Sextoblade - stainless steel U.S. Medical Corps issue
CJB WH100B
The Holy Black barber razor
KAI disposable shavettes (3 left in box of 5)
Cartridges/disposables
Harry's - Truman handle
Gillette Guard
Bic Metal
Gillette Guard
Bic Metal
Brushes
Boar
Omega 48
Semogue 620
Omega 50068 (Bambino)
Omega 40033 (Wide Waist Midget)
Semogue 620
Omega 50068 (Bambino)
Omega 40033 (Wide Waist Midget)
Badger
Simpson's Berkeley 46 in Best
Simpson's Wee Scot
Savile Row 3824
Rudy Vey Irish Bog Oak handle with Shavemac Pure Badger knot (22mm)
Bevel (Pure badger)
Century bakelite handle, reknotted with TGN two-band
Simpson's Wee Scot
Savile Row 3824
Rudy Vey Irish Bog Oak handle with Shavemac Pure Badger knot (22mm)
Bevel (Pure badger)
Century bakelite handle, reknotted with TGN two-band
Boar/Badger Mixed Loft
Omega 11047 (Mixed Midget)
Horse
Vie-Long 13120M (Pony)
Synth
Kelley Quan
Razorock Plissoft
Razorock Monster
Razorock Plissoft
Razorock Monster
Software Owned Now
Pre-shave
Myrsol Emulsión
Simpson's Pre-Shave Oil
Simpson's Pre-Shave Oil
Soaps
Hard, in Bowls
Unopened:
Tabac
Tabac
Pucks
Unopened:
Haslinger Schafmilch
Mama Bear's Lime Ice
Mama Bear's Unscented
Mitchell's Wool Fat
Haslinger Schafmilch
Mama Bear's Lime Ice
Mama Bear's Unscented
Mitchell's Wool Fat
Soft, in Tubs
Partly used:
Myrsol (6 oz. sample from 1kg tub)
Petal Pusher Fancies - Black Tea
Paladin - Pythian Way (sample)
Captain's Choice Sandalwood (sample)
Van Yulay Gnothi Seauton (sample)
Local Gent California Barber (sample)
MERshaving Duck Sauce (sample)
Natural Ireland - Natural
Natural Ireland - Seaweed
Natural Ireland - Irish Stout and Seaweed
Unopened:
Proraso Red
Proraso Green (small)
Myrsol (6 oz. sample from 1kg tub)
Petal Pusher Fancies - Black Tea
Paladin - Pythian Way (sample)
Captain's Choice Sandalwood (sample)
Van Yulay Gnothi Seauton (sample)
Local Gent California Barber (sample)
MERshaving Duck Sauce (sample)
Natural Ireland - Natural
Natural Ireland - Seaweed
Natural Ireland - Irish Stout and Seaweed
Unopened:
Proraso Red
Proraso Green (small)
Sticks
Partly used:
(none at this time)
(none at this time)
Creams
Partly used:
Malin + Goetz (brushless, sample)
Coate's Lavender (50 ml)
Coate's Lime (50 ml)
Coate's Almond (50 ml)
Stone Cottage samples: Cedre Noir, Lavender, Musk, Spiced Bay, Hesperide.
La Toja (sample)
Ernest Supplies (sample)
Cremo Cooling
Wadi Premium Anti-Aging
Unopened:
Godrej Cool Menthol
Captain's Choice 45th Parallel (sample)
Gels
(None at present)
Aftershaves
Splashes
Shea Moisture Tea Tree
Aramis
Speick
Proraso
4711
Mandom
Auslese
Lucido
Bravas
MG5
Superior 70
Avon Wild Country (sample)
Bootlegger's Bay Rum (sample)
Captain's Choice North
Thayer's Original Witch Hazel
Aramis
Speick
Proraso
4711
Mandom
Auslese
Lucido
Bravas
MG5
Superior 70
Avon Wild Country (sample)
Bootlegger's Bay Rum (sample)
Captain's Choice North
Thayer's Original Witch Hazel
Balms
Myrsol Emulsión
L'Occitane Cade (sample packs)
Anthony Shaveworks Cool Fix
Captain's Choice Bay Rum Balm (sample)
444
MG5
Bulldog
Soap Commander - Inspiration
Proraso
Stirling Coniferous
Stirling Sharp Dressed Man
Mennen Afta
Gucci Guilty Absolute
Kiehl's Post Shave Repair Gel
Wadi Men's Care - Mighty Lime
Handmade Soap Company - basil, lime, and sweet orange
L'Occitane Cade (sample packs)
Anthony Shaveworks Cool Fix
Captain's Choice Bay Rum Balm (sample)
444
MG5
Bulldog
Soap Commander - Inspiration
Proraso
Stirling Coniferous
Stirling Sharp Dressed Man
Mennen Afta
Gucci Guilty Absolute
Kiehl's Post Shave Repair Gel
Wadi Men's Care - Mighty Lime
Handmade Soap Company - basil, lime, and sweet orange
Eaux de Cologne
4711
Florida Water
Royall Lyme
Laline
Bowling Green
Gucci Guilty Absolute
Florida Water
Royall Lyme
Laline
Bowling Green
Gucci Guilty Absolute
Finished Products
Y or N: Would I get it again?
Even a yes is qualified by the desire to try something new first, though.
Pre-shave
Proraso - still deciding
Clinique Face Scrub (Y) - Particularly good after skipping a day or two
Clinique Face Scrub (Y) - Particularly good after skipping a day or two
Soaps
Chiseled Face - Ghost Town Barber - sample (Y)
Tiki - Surf's Up - sample (N) - I might try another Tiki variety, but there's much to try before that
Williams Mug Soap (Y) - I got great results and enjoyed it a lot. That also goes for the "Brave Willy" experiment in which I shredded a puck and soaked it in Bravas aftershave.
Stirling Lime - sample (Y) - the sample had lost its scent, but lathered very well once I figured out the best approach
Geo. F. Trumper Violet - sample (N) - dried out; couldn't form an accurate opinion.
La Toja stick (Y)
Taconic Lime (Y) - I liked it very much.
Paladin Tobacco Road - sample (Y) - excellent product; too bad that it's being discontinued.
Tiki - Surf's Up - sample (N) - I might try another Tiki variety, but there's much to try before that
Williams Mug Soap (Y) - I got great results and enjoyed it a lot. That also goes for the "Brave Willy" experiment in which I shredded a puck and soaked it in Bravas aftershave.
Stirling Lime - sample (Y) - the sample had lost its scent, but lathered very well once I figured out the best approach
Geo. F. Trumper Violet - sample (N) - dried out; couldn't form an accurate opinion.
La Toja stick (Y)
Taconic Lime (Y) - I liked it very much.
Paladin Tobacco Road - sample (Y) - excellent product; too bad that it's being discontinued.
Creams
Taylor of Old Bond Street - Sandalwood (N) - Got tired of the scent
Taylor of Old Bond Street - Grapefruit (Y) - Did not get tired of the scent!
Kiehl's Ultimate Brushless Shave Cream - White Eagle (N) - Sample did not convince me
Kiehl's Lite Flite (N) - Sample did not convince me
Dettol Cool (N) - Not bad, and low price, but there's too much else out there
Dettol Fresh (N) - Ditto (but I liked the Cool better)
H2O+ Marine (Y) - Very nice brushless product, would get again if it reappears in discount stores
Laline (Y) - Sample intrigued me enough
Pacific Shaving Company Caffeinated (Y) - works well both brushless and with a brush
Taylor of Old Bond Street - Grapefruit (Y) - Did not get tired of the scent!
Kiehl's Ultimate Brushless Shave Cream - White Eagle (N) - Sample did not convince me
Kiehl's Lite Flite (N) - Sample did not convince me
Dettol Cool (N) - Not bad, and low price, but there's too much else out there
Dettol Fresh (N) - Ditto (but I liked the Cool better)
H2O+ Marine (Y) - Very nice brushless product, would get again if it reappears in discount stores
Laline (Y) - Sample intrigued me enough
Pacific Shaving Company Caffeinated (Y) - works well both brushless and with a brush
Gels
Gatsby Cool-Type (Y) - Surprisingly pleasant and effective
Aftershaves
Splashes
Diesel - Only the Brave (Y)
Shea Moisture Tea Tree (Y) - Repurchased 1x
Captain's Choice - North (Y) - Enjoyed the sample
Captain's Choice - Bay Rum (Y) - Enjoyed the sample
Captain's Choice - Lime (Maybe) - Doesn't smell that much like lime to me, but feels great
Captain's Choice - 45th Parallel (Y) - Enjoyed the sample
Lucky Tiger Face Tonic (Y) - My wife liked it too after cleansing
Valcan (Y) - Classy Japanese drugstore splash
Shea Moisture Tea Tree (Y) - Repurchased 1x
Captain's Choice - North (Y) - Enjoyed the sample
Captain's Choice - Bay Rum (Y) - Enjoyed the sample
Captain's Choice - Lime (Maybe) - Doesn't smell that much like lime to me, but feels great
Captain's Choice - 45th Parallel (Y) - Enjoyed the sample
Lucky Tiger Face Tonic (Y) - My wife liked it too after cleansing
Valcan (Y) - Classy Japanese drugstore splash
Balms
Cremo Moisturizer (Y) - Solid, reasonable price
Aveda Pure-Formance Dual Action (Y) - Pricey but really nice scent
Every Man Jack unscented lotion (Y) - Also a good product at a reasonable price; thicker
Zirh Soothe (Y) - If I could get it at a bargain price again
Kiehl's Ultimate Men's Aftershave Balm - Product was discontinued, which is too bad; it was excellent.
Kiehl's Post Shave Repair Gel (revisiting) - Tried a sample, preferred the balm, but trying again after getting it as a gift.
Mennen Afta (Y) - Effective, pleasant scent, bargain price
L'Oréal Comfort Max (Y) - Very effective, pleasant scent, has SPF 15. A real favorite.
Clinique (Y) - Excellent light lotion that absorbs readily
Bulldog (Y) - Effective and reasonable; scent not for everyone but I liked it.
Aveda Pure-Formance Dual Action (Y) - Pricey but really nice scent
Every Man Jack unscented lotion (Y) - Also a good product at a reasonable price; thicker
Zirh Soothe (Y) - If I could get it at a bargain price again
Kiehl's Ultimate Men's Aftershave Balm - Product was discontinued, which is too bad; it was excellent.
Kiehl's Post Shave Repair Gel (revisiting) - Tried a sample, preferred the balm, but trying again after getting it as a gift.
Mennen Afta (Y) - Effective, pleasant scent, bargain price
L'Oréal Comfort Max (Y) - Very effective, pleasant scent, has SPF 15. A real favorite.
Clinique (Y) - Excellent light lotion that absorbs readily
Bulldog (Y) - Effective and reasonable; scent not for everyone but I liked it.
Items Sold or Donated
Hardware
Brushes
Plisson pour L'Occitane: Nice brush, but my tastes changed toward backbone/a bit of scritch
Victoria Bechhofen Silvertip: Same story - nice brush, but too soft and not enough backbone for my liking
Victoria Bechhofen Silvertip: Same story - nice brush, but too soft and not enough backbone for my liking
Software
I used and enjoyed all of these soaps but found them good homes after focusing on Natural Ireland:
Cold River Soap Works - Limenthol.
Sudsy Soapery - Lavender & Peppermint
Mike's Hungarian Lavender
La Savonniere du Moulin
Cold River Soap Works - Limenthol.
Sudsy Soapery - Lavender & Peppermint
Mike's Hungarian Lavender
La Savonniere du Moulin
Aftershaves
Pinaud Lilac Vegetal: Received in PIF, sent on in turn after not liking it