The secret is the sharpness of the blade, and the reason of the sharpness is the stropping.
At least according to the people extolling the benefits of the Valet Auto-Strop razor, a safety razor that was designed to make stropping easy.
Johnson – from Johnson and Johnson – introduced shaving cream in a tube all the way back in 1907. And despite being launched during a minor economic downturn known in retrospect as the Panic of 1907,1 it was successful. At least in part due to the “damp soaps” used by shavers was harbouring germs. Well, at least that is what J&J claims.
Razor: GEM Heavy Flat Top
Blade: GEM Single Edge Stainless
Brush: Artesania Romera Manchurian Badger, imitation horn
Lather: Mike’s Natural Soaps Lemongrass & Eucalyptus
Aftershave: Barber No3 Marmara
Additional Care: Alum Block
Some vintage advertisements have weird taglines, at least when viewed through the eyes of 2021. Like… well, like this one for the new GEM Micromatic.
Continue readingRazor: Shick G4
Blade: Personna Injector
Brush: Vie-Long #12705B
Lather: Palmolive Sensitive w/ aloe vera
Aftershave: Barber No3 Marmara
Additional Care: Alum Block
The Micromatic Clog-Pruf is a great razor. But even a great razor can be part of a revolutionary offer, if this old ad is to be believed.
Continue readingRazor: Shick G4
Blade: Personna Injector
Brush: Vie-Long #14033
Lather: Jabonman Mediterráno L.E. BullGoose
Aftershave: Barber No3 Marmara
Additional Care: Alum Block
Razor: Schick “Lady Eversharp”
Blade: Schick Injector
Brush: Wilkinson Sword Badger
Lather: Asylum Shave Works Frankincense & Myrrh
Aftershave: Asylum Shave Works Frankincense & Myrrh
Additional Care: Alum Block
Vintage razor advertisements can be almost as much fun as old shaving patents. And advertisements from American Safety Razor Company – the result of the 1906 merger between Gem Cutlery Company and Ever-Ready – tends to be good ones. The grinning, shaving, mad-eyed man they used as their logo / mascot makes sure of that.
Continue readingRazor: Schick “Lady Eversharp”
Blade: Schick Injector
Brush: Vie-Long #13051M
Lather: Arko Shavestick
Aftershave: BullDog Original Aftershave Balm
Additional Care: Alum Block