So here it is, finally the second chapter of my Shaving trip to Europe:
First let me tell you all that some other members of this forum had already written some nice reviews of the traditional shaving shops in London. Here are the links to the ones I found searching the forum:
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=25430
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=23122
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?p=262666
And now for the story:
Our trip o Europe had a very nice itinerary: Lisbon, Porto, London (2 days), Kassel, Venice, Slovenia, Vienna, Prague and one last week in London.
Still in Portugal I called Truefit and Hill to make an appointment for a traditional shave. The price was absurd (35 pounds + gratuity), but what can I say, after reading so much about these shops in our dear B&B forum, I just couldnt resist SWMBO supported my decision.
It was a Saturday and my appointment was for 4pm (I believe their last shave on Saturdays is 4:30)
We arrived early, had lunch on a local pub with a pint of Guiness and went to the barber.
On the way (in St James Street) I dropped into D.R Harris. It seems as the salespeople didnt quite notice our presence so we wandered the small shop for a few minutes. I noticed that most products didnt have the price on it and I asked for the price of one or other Item which all seemed too expensive for me (since it was still the beginning of the trip and a good portion of my budget was going to the barber across the street). What most caught my attention was a Arlington soap on a rope. So I just went to the saleslady and asked if she had a sample of anything to give. She nicely gave a little sample of the Arlington shaving cream.
Actually that was the only sample I managed to get in these London shops (Ok, I got some samples at T&H but since paid for the shave I guess that doesnt count).
Anyway, even though I was disguised as a real gentleman, with my Blazer and my favorite pair of shoes, I wasnt able to get anything for free. Too bad for them because at the end of the trip I went back to Harris and, since they were nice to my I bought a tube of their almond shaving cream that was on sale for 6 pounds. The Lavender was the same price but I didnt care so much for the smell.
Truefit and Hill had a big scaffold so I saw no point of taking a picture of the entrance. Inside the store my barber was waiting and after some small talk we got down to business.
I asked what cream he would use:
Today we will be using the ultimate comfort shaving cream
I sat down on the nice chair and asked my wife to take the pictures (stupid tourists !!!)
First we had a hot towel, than a generous portion of their pre-shave oil (I love that sent), after that another hot towel. That was really nice, with the second hot towel, the smell f the oil really grows
Lather up: that felt kind of strange, I mean, the lather was a lot thicker than I thought it would be. Since I am still a newbie (and was even more at that time) I couldnt tell if it was right or wrong just that I was expecting something with more moisture.
Than came the blade: well I confess I was a bit disappointed, I was expecting the blade to just glide easily but it actually scratched a bit. It was little worse on the neck. To make a long story short (or at least shorter), the feeling of the shave itself wasnt what I expected, my shaves at home use to feel more comfortable then that.
As I remember, the barber made 2 passes with special attention to my neck.
Post-shave: after shaved and cleaned up he used a cold towel, West Indian limes aftershave balm and than a cold towel with the west Indian limes cologne for my face and neck.
We still talked for a while and the barber said that he noticed how my skin was sensitive and thats why he could give me a closer shave. I guess all the hot towels, massage with oil made me a bit too sensitive for the shave.
I took the time to take a look at the shop and ended up buying a tube of West Indian limes shaving cream. At the last day of the trip I returned to the shop to get some aftershave balm of the same scent I just love the limes.
Conclusion: Was it worth it? Hard to say. I enjoyed it and I guess thats what counts. I would recommend the experience for anyone that goes to London, either at T&H or any of the other traditional shops. Its nice to be pampered and have the feeling of a visit to the past. Barber was nice, I was very well treated but the shave itself wasnt particularly close, and it wasnt painless.
The price is high especially for a Brazilian due to the present currency rates.
Next time I go to London, I might have a shave at Trumpers, since they are 5 pounds cheaper,
.
Well, after the shave I went around the neighborhood to visit the other shops, but thats a different story.
(Before)
(hot towel)
(pre shave oil and massage)
(lather-up)
(The shave)
(After)
Don't miss the other chapters of this adventure
intro: http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=30147
chapter 1: The quest for Musgo Real: http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=30148
And if you like this post, please comment.
First let me tell you all that some other members of this forum had already written some nice reviews of the traditional shaving shops in London. Here are the links to the ones I found searching the forum:
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=25430
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=23122
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?p=262666
And now for the story:
Our trip o Europe had a very nice itinerary: Lisbon, Porto, London (2 days), Kassel, Venice, Slovenia, Vienna, Prague and one last week in London.
Still in Portugal I called Truefit and Hill to make an appointment for a traditional shave. The price was absurd (35 pounds + gratuity), but what can I say, after reading so much about these shops in our dear B&B forum, I just couldnt resist SWMBO supported my decision.
It was a Saturday and my appointment was for 4pm (I believe their last shave on Saturdays is 4:30)
We arrived early, had lunch on a local pub with a pint of Guiness and went to the barber.
On the way (in St James Street) I dropped into D.R Harris. It seems as the salespeople didnt quite notice our presence so we wandered the small shop for a few minutes. I noticed that most products didnt have the price on it and I asked for the price of one or other Item which all seemed too expensive for me (since it was still the beginning of the trip and a good portion of my budget was going to the barber across the street). What most caught my attention was a Arlington soap on a rope. So I just went to the saleslady and asked if she had a sample of anything to give. She nicely gave a little sample of the Arlington shaving cream.
Actually that was the only sample I managed to get in these London shops (Ok, I got some samples at T&H but since paid for the shave I guess that doesnt count).
Anyway, even though I was disguised as a real gentleman, with my Blazer and my favorite pair of shoes, I wasnt able to get anything for free. Too bad for them because at the end of the trip I went back to Harris and, since they were nice to my I bought a tube of their almond shaving cream that was on sale for 6 pounds. The Lavender was the same price but I didnt care so much for the smell.
Truefit and Hill had a big scaffold so I saw no point of taking a picture of the entrance. Inside the store my barber was waiting and after some small talk we got down to business.
I asked what cream he would use:
Today we will be using the ultimate comfort shaving cream
I sat down on the nice chair and asked my wife to take the pictures (stupid tourists !!!)
First we had a hot towel, than a generous portion of their pre-shave oil (I love that sent), after that another hot towel. That was really nice, with the second hot towel, the smell f the oil really grows
Lather up: that felt kind of strange, I mean, the lather was a lot thicker than I thought it would be. Since I am still a newbie (and was even more at that time) I couldnt tell if it was right or wrong just that I was expecting something with more moisture.
Than came the blade: well I confess I was a bit disappointed, I was expecting the blade to just glide easily but it actually scratched a bit. It was little worse on the neck. To make a long story short (or at least shorter), the feeling of the shave itself wasnt what I expected, my shaves at home use to feel more comfortable then that.
As I remember, the barber made 2 passes with special attention to my neck.
Post-shave: after shaved and cleaned up he used a cold towel, West Indian limes aftershave balm and than a cold towel with the west Indian limes cologne for my face and neck.
We still talked for a while and the barber said that he noticed how my skin was sensitive and thats why he could give me a closer shave. I guess all the hot towels, massage with oil made me a bit too sensitive for the shave.
I took the time to take a look at the shop and ended up buying a tube of West Indian limes shaving cream. At the last day of the trip I returned to the shop to get some aftershave balm of the same scent I just love the limes.
Conclusion: Was it worth it? Hard to say. I enjoyed it and I guess thats what counts. I would recommend the experience for anyone that goes to London, either at T&H or any of the other traditional shops. Its nice to be pampered and have the feeling of a visit to the past. Barber was nice, I was very well treated but the shave itself wasnt particularly close, and it wasnt painless.
The price is high especially for a Brazilian due to the present currency rates.
Next time I go to London, I might have a shave at Trumpers, since they are 5 pounds cheaper,
.Well, after the shave I went around the neighborhood to visit the other shops, but thats a different story.
(Before)
(hot towel)
(pre shave oil and massage)
(lather-up)
(The shave)
(After)
Don't miss the other chapters of this adventure
intro: http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=30147
chapter 1: The quest for Musgo Real: http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=30148
And if you like this post, please comment.
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