Pre-shave: N/A
Lather: N/A
Brush: N/A
Razors: Phillips AT890
Post-shave: Krampert’s Finest Bay Rum
Got a sunburn this weekend, so opted for a ‘worse’ shave that wouldn’t involve dragging a blade over my tender skin
Pre-shave: Dr Bronner’s Liquid Teatree
Lather: Rise brushless cream
Brush: N/A
Razors: Parker 22R with a Feather blade
Post-shave: Cool water rinse, alum and BodyShop maca root face protector
Shaving soap, shaving brush, and shaving.
Pre-shave: Dr Bronner’s Liquid Peppermint
Lather: Mama Bear’s Awakening
Brush: Vie Long 14033 mixed horse/boar
Razors: Parker 22R with a Feather blade
Post-shave: Cool water rinse, alum and Kramperst’s Finest Prototype Menthol
From the free (as in both beer and speech) ebook “The Perfect Gentleman” by Ralph Bergengren, downloaded from Project Gutenberg (which still is an awesome site for free books);
The world of shavers is divided into three classes: the ordinary shaver, the safety shaver, and the extraordinary-safety shaver, who buys each safety razor as soon as it is invented and is never so happy as when about to try a new one. To a shaver of this class, cost is immaterial. A safety-razor for a cent, with twenty gold-monogramed blades and a guaranty of expert surgical attendance if he cuts himself, would stir his active interest neither more nor less than a safety-razor for a hundred dollars, with one Cannotbedull blade and an iron-clad agreement to pay the makers an indemnity if he found it unsatisfactory. He buys them secretly, lest his wife justly accuse him of extravagance, and practises cunning in getting rid of them afterward; for to a conscientious gentleman throwing away a razor is a responsible matter. It is hard to think of any place where a razor-blade, indestructible and horribly sharp as it is,—for all purposes except shaving,—can be thrown away without some worry over possible consequences. A baby may find and swallow it; the ashman sever an artery; dropping it overboard at sea is impracticable, to say nothing of the danger to some innocent fish. Mailing it anonymously to the makers, although it is expensive, is a solution, or at least shifts the responsibility. Perhaps the safest course is to put the blades with the odds and ends you have been going to throw away to-morrow ever since you can remember; for there, while you live, nobody will ever disturb them. Once, indeed, I—but this is getting too personal: I was simply about to say thatit is possible to purchase a twenty-five cent safety-razor, returnable if unsatisfactory, and find the place of sale vanished before you can get back to it. But between inventions in safety-razors, the extraordinary-safety shaver is likely to revert to first principles and the naked steel of his ancestors.
I’m not saying he was right – but 95 years later we still have many people who will jump on the latest razor bandwagon… just to return to their old razors, disappointed. May I suggest they pick up a DE razor and some good soap instead?
Pre-shave: Dr Bronner’s Liquid Eucalyptus
Lather: Mike’s Natural Rose&Cedarwood Soap (sample)
Brush: Semogue TSN 2012 LE mixed boar/badger brush
Razors: Parker 22R with a fresh Feather blade
Post-shave: Cool water rinse, alum and Kramperst’s Finest Bay Rum
Pre-shave: Dr Bronner’s Liquid Eucalyptus
Lather: Aubrey Organics North Wood shaving cream
Brush: N/A
Razors: Yuma pot metal razor with a Shark blade
Post-shave: Cool water rinse, alum and Kramperst’s Finest Bay Rum
Over at Project Gutenberg – which is an awesome site for free books, by the way – I found a gem from 1905:
Next to the razor, the most important article of the shaving outfit is the soap. In its proper use lies the real secret of easy shaving.
If you desire a really clean shave, you must go over the face the second time.
It’s a highly enjoyable read, and I urge you to take a few minutes to grab a copy.
Pre-shave: Dr Bronner’s Liquid Peppermint
Lather: Lea Shave Stick
Brush: Omega #50014 travel boar
Razors: Merkur 985CL Open Comb travel razor
Post-shave: Cool water rinse, alum and Krampert’s Finest Bay Rum
Krampert’s 80 Below is – in my opinion – one of the best aftershaves you can’t get; it’s a limited edition, and has for all intents and purposes been replaced by Krampert’s Frostbite.
The 80 Below shares it’s basic properties with Krampert’s Finest Bay Rum and Krampert’s prototype menthol – all of Krampert’s aftershaves do a great job of moisturizing my face after shaving – they work so well I have caught myself using them even if I haven’t shaved. They also does a good job of sealing and healing any minor nicks I might have inflicted on myself while shaving, something which is happening less frequently these days.
As far as scent and face feel goes, the 80 Below is… very menthol. If you’re not awake by the time you’re done shaving, you will be after putting the 80 Below on… also; if you’re not awake, why are you waving a sharp razor around your face and throat?
It is interesting to note that while menthol works wonders on warm, muggy summer days, it is just as nice for different reasons on a chilly winter morning… best way to describe it is that it makes you feel alive in a way you have to experience to understand.
While getting hold of a bottle of 80 Below is dependant on a fellow shaver giving up his loot these days, you ought to do yourself a favour and get a bottle of Krampert’s Frostbite – like Krampert’s Finest Bay Rum it’s well worth the asking price.